About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating the tricky waters of sibling rivalry, particularly if there is a dynamic where an older sibling's teasing has crossed the line into creating genuine anxiety for a younger one. It is a helpful tool for discussing the weight of responsibility and how our actions or words can have unintended, frightening consequences. In this Goosebumps HorrorLand adventure, Ray Gordon's habit of scaring his fearful younger brother Brandon takes a dark turn when he brings home Slappy, a ventriloquist dummy that seems to have a life of its own. As the brothers prepare for a New Year's Eve party, mean-spirited events occur that Ray cannot explain. The story explores themes of guilt, accountability, and the thin line between a prank and a problem, wrapped in the signature spooky style that middle-grade readers love.
