The Haunted Mask: Goosebumps Graphix

by R. L. Stine, Maddi Gonzalez (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

All Carly Beth wanted was to be scary, and she got that, but now she's awfully scared too!

Goosebumps now on Disney+!

Are you wearing the mask— or is the mask wearing you?

Carly Beth needs the perfect Halloween mask. One that will scare everyone she comes across—including her annoying little brother and the bullies from her school. A visit to a strange costume store provides just the right one. An ugly green, with fierce fangs, the mask makes Carly Beth feel powerful and scary. But when the mask won’t come off, will the monster take over?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338879391
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	09/03/2024
Series:	Goosebumps Graphic Novel Series
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	GN540L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

R.L. Stine is the creator of the bestselling Goosebumps series, which has more than 400 million copies in print worldwide and celebrated 25 years in 2017. Goosebumps is one of the bestselling children's series of all-time and inspired a popular television show, as well as a feature film starring Jack Black that opened at #1 at the box office. His other popular children's books include the series Fear Street, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room, and Rotten School, and his picture books, with Marc Brown, The Little Shop of Monsters and Mary McScary. R.L. Stine lives in New York City. You can connect with him on Twitter at @RL_Stine or Facebook: facebook.com/rlstine. For more information, visit rlstine.com and scholastic.com/goosebumps.
Maddi Gonzalez is a cartoonist from the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Her Ignatz Award-nominated comic art has a strong focus on humor and horror. Her favorite Goosebumps books are tied between The Headless Ghost and Stay Out Of The Basement.

Hometown:

New York, New York

Date of Birth:

October 8, 1943

Place of Birth:

Columbus, Ohio

Education:

B.A., Ohio State University, 1965

Website:

http://www.rlstine.com

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The Haunted Mask:

In this graphic novel adaptation of one of Stine’s most beloved Goosebumps books, a Halloween mask inspires brutal scares…for a price. Carly Beth Caldwell is easily frightened; everyone picks on her, from classmates Chuck and Steve to her little brother, Noah. This Halloween, however, she intends to get revenge by using a particularly hideous mask purchased from the forbidden section of a mysterious costume shop. It’s way more effective than her mom’s homemade duck outfit. But, like any horror story curio, it comes with dangerous warnings and high-stakes instructions. As Carly Beth and her best friend, Sabrina, set out for a night of trick-or-treating, Carly Beth finds that the mask makes her absolutely terrifying, but it also threatens to take over her personality, turning her into something of a local menace. Eventually, she finds she’s unable to take it off. Readers who recall the original tale will relish watching timid Carly enact her righteous vengeance at the risk of her own identity. The artwork sells her scaredy-cat reactions as effectively as her masked, monstrous moments. Some comedic elements balance the body horror, such as a cute cameo from Stine and gag comic strips that close out the book. Carly Beth and her family are light-skinned; Chuck and Steve are tan-skinned; Sabrina is brown-skinned. Successfully injects new life into a thrilling Goosebumps classic. —Kirkus

From the Publisher

08/30/2024

Gr 3–6—While Stine's original Goosebumps series continues to captivate young readers with its blend of spine-chilling suspense and engaging storytelling, new graphic novel adaptations are sure to win over even more fans. Here, Carly Beth is determined to overcome her reputation as the "scaredy-cat" of her school. After a cruel prank leaves her humiliated, Carly Beth seeks a Halloween costume that will make her peers truly afraid. Her quest leads her to a mysterious costume shop, where she acquires, after a great deal of negotiation, an eerie mask from an off-limits backroom. Initially, the mask seems perfect, but Carly Beth soon discovers that it may hold a power stronger and scarier than she can control. Dark and intense illustrations add a new layer of horror to the original narrative, with a tone that is both grim and darkly humorous. While some expressions in the artwork may seem simplistic, the graphic novel captures the essence of the story and its suspenseful twists, making it a compelling read for fans of the series and newcomers alike. VERDICT This graphic novel adaptation is a worthy addition to any library, offering a chilling, immersive experience that remains true to Stine's iconic tale.—Louie Lauer

School Library Journal

2024-07-04
In this graphic novel adaptation of one of Stine’s most beloved Goosebumps books, a Halloween mask inspires brutal scares…for a price.

Carly Beth Caldwell is easily frightened; everyone picks on her, from classmates Chuck and Steve to her little brother, Noah. This Halloween, however, she intends to get revenge by using a particularly hideous mask purchased from the forbidden section of a mysterious costume shop. It’s way more effective than her mom’s homemade duck outfit. But, like any horror story curio, it comes with dangerous warnings and high-stakes instructions. As Carly Beth and her best friend, Sabrina, set out for a night of trick-or-treating, Carly Beth finds that the mask makes her absolutely terrifying, but it also threatens to take over her personality, turning her into something of a local menace. Eventually, she finds she’s unable to take it off. Readers who recall the original tale will relish watching timid Carly enact her righteous vengeance at the risk of her own identity. The artwork sells her scaredy-cat reactions as effectively as her masked, monstrous moments. Some comedic elements balance the body horror, such as a cute cameo from Stine and gag comic strips that close out the book. Carly Beth and her family are light-skinned; Chuck and Steve are tan-skinned; Sabrina is brown-skinned.

Successfully injects new life into a thrilling Goosebumps classic. (information on adapting the book into comics form, search-and-find game)(Graphic horror. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews