About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child is beginning to crave independence and needs a safe, low stakes way to practice decision making and autonomy. While the story features a spooky cruise ship filled with mad scientists and fish creatures, the core experience is about the power of choice. As part of the 'Give Yourself Goosebumps' series, the reader is the protagonist, navigating a two-week trip to Japan without parents. Through twenty different endings, the book explores themes of responsibility and the consequences of one's actions in a playful, campy horror setting. Appropriate for the 8 to 12 age range, it serves as a bridge for reluctant readers who enjoy gaming or interactive media. It validates a child's desire to be 'the big kid' in charge while providing a safety net of humor and fantasy. Parents can use this book to discuss how we weigh risks and what it means to be accountable for the paths we choose in life.
