Reader beware, for this month’s author highlight…you’re in for a scare.
Robert Lawrence Stine – better known as R.L. Stine, an American kids’ and teens’ horror author. Today, R.L. Stine is best-known for his iconic series, Goosebumps, but he spent his childhood and college years writing funny stories. R.L. Stine’s first step into writing was more likely to tickle your funny bone than send chills down your spine.
So how did R.L. Stine go from making us laugh to making us sleep with the lights on?
Accidentally.
R.L. Stine’s editor urged him to write a teen horror novel – and that’s exactly what he did. His first horror novel, Blind Date (published in 1986), was a bestseller.
After his success, R.L. Stine thought “…forget the funny stuff – kids like to be scared, [and] I’ve been scary ever since.”
R.L. Stine switched to children’s books when he realized there wasn’t much of a horror genre for kids between 7-11. He “wanted something that would be funny and scary,” and thus, Goosebumps was born.
“Welcome to Dead House” (published in 1992), was the first book in the kids’ horror anthology, but it wasn’t the last. Goosebumps has terrified young readers for more than 30 years, sold over 400 million copies worldwide, been translated into 32 languages, and inspired two feature-length movies and tv series.
To get your hands on these hair-raising horrors, stop by DeKalb Public Library, click on the links to place a hold, or give us a call at 815-756-9568 ext.3350!
