CopeSullivan's Full Review: R. L. Stine - The Blob That Ate Everyone
* This review contains a few plot details and events from the story, but does NOT reveal the ending.
Ahhhhhh… The month of October! What better month to hunker down with a creepy, spine tingling Goosebumps book?
Well, actually, it doesn't have to be October! Spooky stories are great any time of year. And with WAY MORE than 80 books to choose from in R. L. Stine's Goosebumps series, you can't go wrong.
I have been loving the Goosebumps series for some time now. That's because, my son (third grade) has been loving them for that same period of time. Actually, loving them is putting it mildly. He's become addicted. And it hasn't fazed me in the least. I'm rather enjoying it!!
Unlike other "series" of books where you have to read each "numbered" book in sequential order…. Goosebumps can be read whenever and where ever you please!! If you decide you want to read book # 50 before you read book # 4, then go for it! You're not going to "spoil" any plots or effects. And, you're not going to "miss out" on anything. The Blob That Ate Everyone is #55 in the series.
Each Goosebumps book is a totally new story, with new characters, new plots, and new spooks (with the exception of a few "mini-series" within the series, but you'll be able to identify those by the II, III, IV, included in the titles).
THE BLOB THAT ATE EVERYONE:
12 year old Zackie fancied himself a young horror writer and his best friend Alex (Alexandria) couldn't agree more. But, his other best friend Adam was not amused. Adam told Zackie that he could write better stories "with one hand tied behind his back".
Actually, Zackie's stories were quite good! He wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because he really was scared of just about everything! He figured that since he knew real fear, he was able to write about it.
After a spooky, stormy night of telling his friends scary stories, Zackie and Alex headed home, walking though town to get to their houses. They happened upon an old antique store that had been demolished by a lightning strike. Zackie couldn't contain his curiosity. He had to go into the devastated store, to see what it looked like inside. Alex reluctantly followed him inside.
Zackie's attention was immediately caught by an old typewrite. He had an affinity for old typewrites. Just as he was about to touch it, he was struck with some sort of electrical charge. He plummeted to the floor, not knowing what had happened. When he came to, his friend Alex explained the events that had taken place.
Undaunted, he refused medical treatment and continued his examination of the typewriter.
Then….. mysterious footsteps were heard near-by. Was someone else there? Zackie and Alex hid in the shadows. Who was the dark figure calling out to them?
All was then silent…. they were safe!
Caught You!!! The voice pronounced. They had been found. Who was this?
The Antique Store's owner had found them, hiding behind the shelves. Did they get in trouble? No! They explained to her that they were just curious about the store and checking out the damage. Zackie then got caught up in conversation about his affection for writing horror stories and his fascination with the old typewriter.
To his surprise and glee….the shop owner gave it to him. Free of charge!! How odd. No charge? But, after all, the store had been completely wrecked in the storm. Who would actually buy damaged merchandise from a ruined store!
Happy with his new prize, he carried the heavy old typewrite home and set it up on his desk. No time for writing now, maybe tomorrow.
The next day at school, his supposed friend Adam embarrassed him in front of two girls (Adam was trying to impress the girls, with no regard for his "friend's" feelings). That day was rough. Zackie spent the rest of the day being teased by other kids over the "incident". It was a horrible day!!
After supper, Alex stopped by. They eventually headed up to Zackie's bedroom and with nothing else to do, Zackie began to type on the old typewrite.
"IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT"… Suddenly the clear evening became rainy, lightning flashing and the power went out. The more Zackie typed, the more of what he wrote came true. Alex thought for sure that the typewrite was making these things happen. Zackie even "adlibbed" that Adam had appeared at the front door… and there he was!!!
Was this for real? Did the old typewrite make the words come to life? Adam laughed and mimicked them, and then left for the night.
The next day was even worse than the last. Zackie had run to the grocery store for an errand for his mother. Adam showed up and completely embarrassed him in front of the two "pretty girls".
That was it!! Zackie couldn't believe it. He was so furious. As soon as he got home, he started typing frantically on his new/old typewrite. All of the "events" from the previous nights had slipped his mind as pure coincidence. Without penning a "rough draft", he re-wrote his "Monster Blob" story. THIS time, it devoured the whole town, policemen, citizens, and his "friend" Adam as well.
Zackie was interrupted by his Mom. Evidently, he forgot to get bread. Reluctantly, he left his un-done story and headed back into town to finish the errand…… And there it was…. HIS Monster Blob!! Eating everything and everyone in sight!!
How could this have happened? Would the Blob do everything that Zackie had written? Oh no…. those poor policemen that had just saved Zackie's life!!! Would Adam survive? Was Alex next? Did the Blob Monster know that Zackie was the one who created him and spare his life? Or, would Zackie fall victim to the same fate as the others???
Hmmmm… Wouldn't you like to know?!?!? Want to find out?… Ya?…. Well, then, you'll just have to get yourself a copy of The Blob That Ate Everyone!!!
I'll give you one little tantalizing tidbit…. The ending is NOT what you'd expect it to be !!!
The Blob That Ate Everyone is definitely one of R. L. Stine's "edge of your seat" bests. The plot flows nicely, keeping you hanging, waiting for the next scene.
Meant for children third grade through sixth grade, it's a fairly easy read. Advanced readers in the second grade should be able to handle the "reading" aspect, but the scares may be a bit too much for them. Younger readers may get tripped up by some of the vocabulary, with words like "peregrine, coincidence", and "impatiently" in this story.
The Blob That Ate Everyone is one of the more scarier in the series (according to my son), because the scary stuff was created by the main characters "imagination". Coming from a child with a very active imagination, I can see my son's stand point. However, he told me that he enjoyed the story and didn't have any regrets over reading it.
Myself… I loved this story. I love pure imagination!! (Especially when it comes to life!!)
So, what are you waiting for? Go out and get yourself a copy! But remember what R. L. Stine himself says: "Reader beware, you're in for a scare!"
………
The Blob That Ate Everyone is #55 in the Goosebumps Series.
Published by Scholastic Books Inc.
Copyright: 1997 - First published by Scholastic books, June 1996
The majority of the Goosebumps Series, by R.L.Stine, was originally copyrighted and published in the 1990's - by Scholastic Books. Books in the series have been frequently re-published, at various times over the years, by Scholastic Books Inc.
R. L. Stine's Official Website: (It's pretty cool, check it out)
http://www.rlstine.com/#nav/home
The Scholastic Store.com
http://store.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/HomeView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051
Scholastic Bookclub flyers that come home from school, with your child:
(They're often offered at reduced prices, and it's a great way to help your child's teacher earn books for the classroom… ask you child's teacher about Scholastic Book Flyers)
http://WWW.Scholastic.com/bookclubs
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Read it and scream!A famous horror writer. That s what Zackie Beauchamp wants to be. He s writing a story about a giant blob monster. A pink slimy cre...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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