The month of October is over, but I still have a lot more Goosebumps books to talk about so this feature will be popping up every now and then.
Earlier reviews:
Stay Out of the Basement
Monster Blood
Let's Get Invisible!
The Ghost Next Door
You Can't Scare Me!
Why I'm Afraid of Bees by R.L. Stine
2.5 stars
Why I'm Afraid of Bees is one of those Goosebumps novels that people don't talk much about. It's a rare novel that didn't even gain a TV episode, which is saying something, especially since this is an earlier Goosebumps novel. I was going in with low expectations and my expectations were met. This novel isn't amazing or spectacular. It's by no means the best of the best in the Goosebumps series.
This novel is by no means spectacular, but it is fun. Out of the Goosebumps novels this is a novel that doesn't try to be scary. For all intents and purposes, it's a fun novel. This novel has no depth, no explanation, and not much a plot. That doesn't make this a bad novel. In fact, for younger readers (especially the ones who love to read before the ages of ten) this novel will probably be a memorable favorite.
The plot is light-hearted. Gary is deathly afraid of bees and the worst part is his neighbor is a beekeeper. Gary's whole existence is filled with people laughing at him. Gary is the epitome of a dweeb. He is always getting hurt and saying the wrong things or showing off at the wrong times. Nothing ever goes right for Gary. When he comes across an ad to swap lives with somebody for a week it seems like the perfect opportunity and Gary goes for it. To Gary's dismay he ends up in the body of a bee instead of the boy he was assigned to.
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3.5
Gary isn't anything special. In fact, he can be very annoying, but I didn't mind him. I think most adolescents his age are annoying, so I can't fault him. I did have a problem with Gary getting beat up all the time. I know kids experience this, but poor kid couldn't take five steps without meeting a gang of fist wielding idiots.
Character Scale:2.5
There isn't a villain in this story. Gary's biggest obstacle is making contact with someone in the bee form and also Gary's replacement has decided he wants to be Gary forever, but that's typical in a Stine novel. I did think the ending was funny. (view spoiler) Not the best Goosebumps, but definitely not horrible.
Villain Scale: 1.25
Plotastic Scale: 3
Cover Thoughts: This is a Goosebumps novel that is forgotten and is hardly redesigned.
I feel like this cover is a little washed out because of the orange tone.
This covers remain hidden for a reason.
This is a good cover. I like it a lot. It matches the tone of this novel perfectly.
TV Show:
There isn't one for this book. I'm kind of sad about that because this would've been hilarious.
What are your thoughts on Why I'm Afraid of Bees? Let's talk about the book and covers down below in the comments!
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