"What's So Scary About R.L. Stine? examines the most popular yet most controversial author of books for young people. R.L. Stine has written joke collections, multiple storyline books, and even bubblegum cards. He helped invent the young adult thriller with Blind Date, then gained unprecedented notoriety with his Fear Street series - but it was his Goosebumps books for middle school kids that catapulted him to stardom as both a best-selling author and one most challenged by censors." "Opponents urged that Stine's books be banned, arguing that young people should not be exposed to Stine's brand of horror. Despite Stine's success in encouraging reluctant readers, his critics targeted his books, style, genre, and motives." "Answering Stine's critics with a thoughtful analysis of Stine's body of work, Jones traces Stine's literary output and provides analysis of plot, character, and style to demonstrate Stine's place in the tradition of respected young adult authors."--BOOK JACKET.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Don't Go in the Attic: childhood, college, and early writing career 2. Joke Teller: humor books 3. Plot Twister: multiple storyline books 4. A Blind Date: first thriller, Blind Date 5. Thrills, Chills, and Spills: the appeal of horror 6. Horror Master: the Fear Street series

7. Twice the Thrills Twice a Year: Fear Street Super Chillers 8. Thrillogies: Fear Street trilogies 9. Off Fear Street: other YA novels and an adult novel 10. Number one without a Bullet: Goosebumps 11. The Stine Machine: writing process 12. What's So Scary about R.L. Stine?