Families who loved The Curse of Camp Cold Lake by R. L. Stine often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child feels like an outsider at summer camp or struggles with the pressure to fit into activities they dislike. While it is a spooky Goosebumps thriller, it speaks to the very real anxiety of being the new kid and the desperate mistakes one might make to avoid embarrassment. Sarah's decision to fake a drowning to get sent home leads to unintended consequences, blending relatable social awkwardness with classic supernatural suspense. Parents might choose this for a reluctant reader who enjoys being scared but also needs to explore themes of accountability and the weight of lies. It is appropriate for middle grade readers who can handle ghost stories, offering a safe environment to discuss why we sometimes pretend to be someone we are not just to belong.