Goosebumps: Curse of Camp Cold Lake is a children's horror novel written by R.L. Stine. It is the fifty-sixth book in the Goosebumps series. The book was published in 1997 and follows the story of a young girl named Sarah Maas, who is sent to a summer camp called Camp Cold Lake. Sarah is unhappy about going to camp, as she would rather spend her summer exploring the city with her friends.
I also didn't like any of the people in the camp. The bunkmates, the counsellors. On the counsellors, I really disliked them, totally not checking the other side of a story, immediately believing the others and not listening to our main character. Sorry, but you as counsellor have a job to listen and to not pick one side immediately.
In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. On the counsellors, I really disliked them, totally not checking the other side of a story, immediately believing the others and not listening to our main character.
Sarah is unhappy about going to camp, as she would rather spend her summer exploring the city with her friends. However, her parents insist that she needs the outdoor experience and send her off to Camp Cold Lake. Upon arriving at the camp, Sarah quickly realizes that it is not what she expected.
Thoughts on The Curse of Camp Cold Lake?
So I had never read this book as a child because the cover terrified me and by the time I was old enough to not be scared by things like that, I convinced myself I had fully outgrown “childish” things like Goosebumps (oh, the irony). I had only heard about the drowning scene through Goosebumps Completionist’s video on the controversial books in the series.
The drowning scene in particular intrigues me because I can very much imagine Sarah’s plot as something an angsty adolescent would fantasize about or dream up — something that resonates with me as someone who also went through some traumatic experiences in childhood that genuinely made me consider whether or not dying would help.
However, I can see where people think this is a romanticization of suicide considering it suffers from what I call “Thirteen Reasons Why Syndrome”. In a way, it portrays suicide or suicide attempts as a sort of revenge against people who have wronged them, which is just inaccurate to reality.
Still, it makes you wonder whether or not some baggage is being brought into a book where that was not the intention. After all, Sarah does face some serious consequences as a result of her actions, and her plan literally does not work. Absolutely nobody cares that she’s “drowned” or tries to save her and leave her (which says a lot about the camp she’s staying at, but I digress). Could Stine have intended for the drowning scene to have these connotations or are readers somewhat projecting onto it?
Anyways, that’s enough rambling on my part. What are your thoughts? Do you sympathize with Sarah or do you think she’s a whiny brat? Was this book a harmful depiction of something serious or is it just not that deep? Did you love the book? Hate it? I’d love to know. Thanks for reading!
More buying choices from other sellers on AbeBooks New offers from US$ 52.39 Used offers from US$ 1.00 Also find Softcover
The camp is located near a cold, murky lake, which gives off an eerie and unsettling vibe. The other campers and counselors are also strange and behave in odd ways. As the days go by, Sarah becomes increasingly convinced that Camp Cold Lake is haunted. Strange occurrences and unexplained events happen around her, such as objects moving on their own and voices whispering in her ear. She starts to see ghostly images and feels a constant chill in the air. The campers are constantly told to stay away from the lake, as it is believed to be dangerous. However, Sarah, desperate to uncover the truth, decides to investigate on her own. She sneaks out at night and ventures towards the lake, determined to find answers. As Sarah gets closer to the lake, she discovers the dark secret behind Camp Cold Lake. The lake is indeed haunted by the ghosts of children who drowned there years ago. These ghosts are now trapped at the camp, seeking revenge on those who caused their untimely deaths. Sarah finds herself in a life-threatening situation as the ghosts of Camp Cold Lake try to harm her. She must find a way to escape the camp and put an end to the curse that has plagued it for years. With its suspenseful plot and eerie atmosphere, Goosebumps: Curse of Camp Cold Lake is a thrilling read for young readers who enjoy horror and mystery. It explores themes of fear, friendship, and the supernatural, making it an engaging and entertaining book for children. Goosebumps: Curse of Camp Cold Lake is a reminder that not all summer camps are as fun and lighthearted as they seem. Sometimes, even the most innocent-looking places can hide dark secrets and dangers..
Reviews for "Surviving the Nightmares: Escaping the Curse of Camp Cold Lake in Goosebumps"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - "I was really disappointed with 'Goosebumps Curse of Camp Cold Lake'. The story felt predictable and lacked the suspense and chills that I usually associate with Goosebumps books. The main character, Sarah, made some questionable decisions throughout the story, which made it difficult for me to connect with her. Additionally, I found the ending to be quite underwhelming and unsatisfying. Overall, I would not recommend this particular book from the Goosebumps series."
2. Michael - 2/5 - "I have been a fan of the Goosebumps series for years, but I found 'Curse of Camp Cold Lake' to be a letdown. The characters felt one-dimensional, and I struggled to feel invested in their fates. The plot lacked the usual eerie twists and turns that make Goosebumps books so enjoyable. I also found the pacing to be slow, which made it difficult for me to maintain interest throughout the book. Not one of R.L. Stine's best works in my opinion."
3. Emily - 3/5 - "While 'Goosebumps Curse of Camp Cold Lake' was not my favorite book in the series, it did have some redeeming qualities. The atmosphere and setting were appropriately creepy, and there were a few moments that genuinely sent shivers down my spine. However, the characters felt underdeveloped and the plot seemed a bit repetitive compared to other Goosebumps books I've read. It was an okay read, but I wouldn't recommend it as a standout choice from the series."
4. Jake - 2/5 - "I found 'Goosebumps Curse of Camp Cold Lake' to be dull and unoriginal. The story lacked the fresh and inventive ideas that I have come to expect from R.L. Stine. The scares felt forced, and the twists predictable. The main character's actions were frustrating and didn't make much sense. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointing addition to the Goosebumps series and not worth the hype."