''Point Horror'' is a series of

young adult A young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages of human development significantly influencing the definition of ...

horror fiction Horror is a genre of fiction which is intended to frighten, scare, or disgust. Horror is often divided into the sub-genres of psychological horror and supernatural horror, which is in the realm of speculative fiction. Literary historian J ...

books. The series was most popular among teenaged girls.Coles, Martin. Hall, Christine. ''Children's Reading Choices''. Routledge, 1998, p 46.

History

The ''Point Horror'' series was launched in 1991 by Scholastic Inc, with the publisher re-releasing several of its previous titles under the ''Point Horror'' banner. Authors who published under the label of ''Point Horror'' include

R.L. Stine Robert Lawrence Stine (; born October 8, 1943), sometimes known as Jovial Bob Stine and Eric Affabee, is an American novelist, short story writer, television producer, screenwriter, and executive editor. Stine has been referred to as the "St ...

, Lisa J. Smith,

Diane Hoh Diane Hoh is an American author of young adult literature, young adult horror fiction, horror, best known for her ''Nightmare Hall'' series and Point Horror novels. She grew up in Warren, Pennsylvania but currently resides in Austin, Texas. Recep ...

Richie Tankersley Cusick Richie Tankersley Cusick (born April 1, 1952, in New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American author. She has written more than 25 novels since her first, ''Evil on the Bayou'' (1984). She has also contributed to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer book seri ...

, Christopher Pike, and

Caroline B. Cooney Caroline B. Cooney (born May 10, 1947) is an American author of suspense, Romance novel, romance, horror fiction, horror, and mystery fiction, mystery books for young adults. Biography Cooney was born in 1947 in Geneva, New York. She grew up in ...

.Reynolds, Kimberly. ''Frightening Fiction''. Continuum, 2004, pgs 20-44. The series was notable as ''Blind Date'' was one of R.L. Stine's first works and helped launch his career. After an eight-year absence, Scholastic announced their plan to release three new titles in May 2013, with more to follow later in the year.

Literary criticism

While the ''Point Horror'' series did not attract much serious attention, British children's novelist and literary historian

Gillian Avery Gillian Elise Avery (30 September 1926 – 31 January 2016) was a British children's novelist, and a historian of childhood education and children's literature. She won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 1972, for ''A Likely Lad.'' It w ...

noted the series was "invariably structured around oppositions" in that teen horror novels "does not 'put an end to the opposition between the real and the imaginary' but, instead, affirms the distinction".

Roy Fisher Roy Fisher (11 June 1930 – 21 March 2017) was an English poet and jazz pianist. His poetry shows an openness to both European and American modernist influences, while remaining grounded in the experience of living in the English Midlands. ...

wrote the series embodied and represented "the fears and anxieties of young people about their lives in general and about school in particular". Others noted the series' similarity to

Stephen King Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high s ...

, saying that there "was little difference between the approach and design...other than length". Will Davis of ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'' attributed the decline of the series to higher standards from teen readers and the series' lack of real-life issues. The series has received negative criticism for its portrayal of female characters. British educational historian Mary Hilton wrote in her book ''Potent Fictions: Children's Literacy and the Challenge of Popular Culture'' (Routledge, 1996) many young readers viewed the female characters as the ones who get "upset, killed, or dumped".

Offshoots

There have been three offshoots of the ''Point Horror'' series that, while all showing the "Point Horror" Logo, are often regarded as separate series in their own rights. They are ''Point Horror Unleashed'', ''Nightmare Hall'' and ''Mutant Point Horror''. ''Nightmare Hall'' is unique amongst the offshoots as the entire series was written solely by

Television

In November 2019, it was announced that ''Point Horror'' would be adapted into an

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different authors. In genre fiction, the term ''anthology'' typically categ ...

series for

HBO Max HBO Max is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in the United States on May 27, 2020, the service is built around the libraries of HBO, Warner Bros., Cartoon Netw ...

Publications

1979

*''Avalanche'' (Arthur Roth)

1985

*''Slumber Party'' ( Christopher Pike)

1986

*'' Blind Date'' (

) *''Weekend'' ( Christopher Pike)

1987

*''Twisted'' (R.L. Stine) *''Through the Hidden Door'' (Rosemary Wells)

1988

*''

The Lifeguard ''The Lifeguard'' is a 2013 American drama produced, written, and directed by Liz W. Garcia, and starring Kristen Bell and David Lambert. The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and was released via video on demand on July 30, ...

'' (

) *'The Nightmare Man'' (Tessa Krailing)

1989

*''Party Line'' (A. Bates) *''The Fog'' (

) *'' The Babysitter'' (R.L. Stine) *''Trick or Treat'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick) *''My Secret Admirer'' (Carol Ellis) *''

Prom Dress A dress (also known as a frock or a gown) is a garment traditionally worn by women or girls consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice (or a matching bodice giving the effect of a one-piece garment). It consists of a top piece that covers ...

'' (

Lael Littke Lael Jensen Littke (born 1929) is an American author of young adult literature and around 75 short stories. Biography Littke grew up in Mink Creek, Idaho and studied education and English at Utah State University. While working in Denver, Col ...

)

1990

*''The Snow'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''The Fire'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''April Fools'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick) *''Final Exam'' (

A. Bates Auline Bates is an American author who writes for young adults and adults. Her teen suspense novels, written as A. Bates, include ''Party Line'', ''Final Exam'', ''Mother's Helper'', ''The Dead Game'' and ''Krazy 4 U''. ''The Wall Street Journal ...

) *''Funhouse'' (

) *''Beach Party'' (R.L. Stine) *''The Boyfriend'' (R.L. Stine) *''Teacher's Pet'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick)

1991

*''Thirteen: 13 Tales of Horror'' An Anthology of short horror stories; (These short stories are not published individually) **01) ''Collect Call'' ( Christopher Pike) **02) ''Lucinda'' (Lael Littke) **03) ''The Guccioli Miniature'' ( Jay Bennett) Originally written and published in 1975. **04) ''Blood Kiss'' (D.E. Athkins) **05) ''A Little Taste of Death'' (Patricia Windsor) **06) ''The Doll'' (Carol Ellis) **07) ''House of Horrors'' (J.B. Stamper) **08) ''Where the Deer Are'' (Caroline B. Cooney) **09) ''The Spell'' (R.L. Stine) **10) ''Dedicated to the One I Love'' (Diane Hoh) **11) ''Hacker'' (Sinclair Smith) **12) ''Deathflash'' (

) **13) ''The Boy Next Door'' (Ellen Emerson White) *''Mother's Helper'' (A. Bates) *''Sister Dearest'' (D.E. Athkins) *''The Accident'' (Diane Hoh) *'' The Babysitter II'' (R.L. Stine) *''The Cheerleader'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''The Girlfriend'' (R.L. Stine) *''The Invitation'' (Diane Hoh) *''The Snowman'' (R.L. Stine)

1992

*''Beach House'' (R.L. Stine) *''Fatal Secrets'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick) *''Freeze Tag'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''Hit and Run'' (R.L. Stine) *''The Cemetery'' - previously released as ''The Ripper'' (D.E. Athkins) *''Mirror, Mirror'' (D.E. Athkins) *''

The Dead Game Auline Bates is an American author who writes for young adults and adults. Her teen suspense novels, written as A. Bates, include ''Party Line'', ''Final Exam'', ''Mother's Helper'', ''The Dead Game'' and ''Krazy 4 U''. ''The Wall Street Journal ...

'' (A. Bates) *''The Fever'' (Diane Hoh) *''The Hitchhiker'' (R.L. Stine) *''The Mall'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick) *''The Perfume'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''The Return of the Vampire'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''The Train'' (Diane Hoh) *''The Waitress'' (Sinclair Smith) *''The Window'' (Carol Ellis)

1993

*''In Camera and Other Stories'' (Robert Westall) *''Camp Fear'' (Carol Ellis) *''Dream Date'' (Sinclair Smith) *''Halloween Night'' (R.L. Stine) *''Help Wanted'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick) *''Nightmare Hall 1 - The Silent Scream'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 2 - The Roommate'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 3 - Deadly Attraction'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 4 - The Wish'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 5 - The Scream Team'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 6 - Guilty'' (Diane Hoh) *''The Dead Girlfriend'' (R.L. Stine) *''The Phantom'' (

Barbara Steiner Barbara Steiner (born 1964) is an Austrian art historian, curator, author, and editor. Steiner is the director of the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation. She served as the director of the Leipzig Museum of Contemporary Art from 2001 to 2011, and as the d ...

) *''The Stranger'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''The Vampire's Promise'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *'' The Babysitter III'' (R.L. Stine)

1994

*''13 More Tales of Horror'' An Anthology of short horror stories; (These short stories are not published individually) **01) ''The Cat-Dogs'' (

Susan Price Susan Price (born 8 July 1955) is an English author of children's and young adult novels. She has won both the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Prize for British children's books. Price was born in Dudley, Worcestershire (now West Midlands). ...

) **02) ''The Piano'' (Diane Hoh) **03) ''The Devil's Footprints'' (

Malcolm Rose Malcolm Rose (born 1953) is a British young adult author. Many of his books, including the ''Traces'' and ''Lawless and Tilley'' series, are mysteries or thrillers where the hero uses science to catch the criminal or terrorist. Biography ...

) **04) ''Softies'' (

Stan Nicholls Stan Nicholls (born 1949) is a British author and journalist, working full-time since 1981. He is the author of many novels and short stories but is best known for the internationally acclaimed '' Orcs: First Blood'' series. Career His journalis ...

) **05) ''The House That Jack Built'' (

Garry Kilworth Garry Douglas Kilworth (born 5 July 1941 in York) is a British science fiction, fantasy and historical novelist, and a former Royal Air Force cryptographer. Early life Kilworth was raised partly in Aden, South Arabia, the son of an airman. Havin ...

) **06) ''The Station With No Name'' ( Colin Greenland) **07) ''Something to Read'' ( Philip Pullman) **08) ''Killing Time'' ( Jill Bennett) **09) ''J.R.E. Ponsford'' (

Graham Masterton Graham Masterton (born 16 January 1946, in Edinburgh) is a British author known primarily for horror fiction. Originally editor of '' Mayfair'' and the British edition of '' Penthouse'', his debut novel, ''The Manitou'', was published in 1976. T ...

) **10) ''The Buyers'' (

David Belbin David Lawrence Belbin (born 19 January 1958) is an English novelist. He was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire and has lived in Nottingham since attending the University of Nottingham where he earned a degree in English Literature and American Studi ...

) **11) ''Closeness'' ( Chris Westwood) **12) ''The Ring'' (Margaret Bingley) **13) ''Bone Meal'' ( John Gordon) *''Call Waiting'' (R.L. Stine) *''Driver's Dead'' ( Peter Lerangis) *''Halloween Night II'' (R.L. Stine) *''Nightmare Hall 7 - Pretty Please'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 8 - The Experiment'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 9 - The Night Walker'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 10 - Sorority Sister'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 11 - Last Date'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 12 - The Whisperer'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 13 - Monster'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 14 - The Initiation'' (Diane Hoh) *''Nightmare Hall 15 - Truth or Die'' (Diane Hoh) *''Silent Witness'' (Carol Ellis) *''Twins'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''The Diary'' (Sinclair Smith) *''The Forbidden Game 1: The Hunter'' (

L.J. Smith John Smith III (born May 13, 1980), commonly known as L. J., which stands for "Little John", is a former American football tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2003 ...

) *''The Forbidden Game 2: The Chase'' (L.J. Smith) *''The Forbidden Game 3: The Kill'' (L.J. Smith) *''The Watcher'' (Lael Littke) *''The Yearbook'' (Peter Lerangis) * ''I Saw You That Night!'' (R.L. Stine)

1995

*''13 Again'' An Anthology of short horror stories; (These short stories are not published individually) **01) ''Anjelica's Room'' (Laurence Staig) **02) ''Foxgloves'' (Susan Price) **03) ''The Ultimate Assassin'' (Malcolm Rose) **04) ''The Rattan Collar'' (Garry Kilworth) **05) ''Boomerang'' (David Belbin) **06) ''The Delinquent'' (Maresa Morgan) **07) ''The Ghost Trap'' ( Lisa Tuttle) **08) ''Close Cut'' ( Philip Gross) **09) ''Grandma'' (Colin Greenland) **10) ''Vampire in Venice'' (John Gordon) **11) ''Picking up the Tab'' (

) **12) ''Evidence of Angels'' (Graham Masterton) **13) ''Hospital Trust'' (Dennis Hamley) *''Hide And Seek'' (Jane McFann) *''Night School'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *'' The Babysitter IV'' (R.L. Stine) *''The Body'' (Carol Ellis) *''The Boy Next Door'' (Sinclair Smith) *''The Claw'' (Carmen Adams] *''The Mummy'' (Barbara Steiner) *''The Surfer'' (Linda Cargill) *''Vampire's Love 1: Blood Curse'' (Janice Harrell) *''Vampire's Love 2: Blood Spell'' (Janice Harrell)

1996

*''Amnesia'' (Sinclair Smith) *''Double Date'' (Sinclair Smith) *''Homecoming Queen'' ( John Hall (horror author), John Hall) *''Krazy 4 U'' (A. Bates) *''Prom Date'' (Diane Hoh) *''Second Sight'' (Sinclair Smith) *''Spring Break'' (Barbara Steiner) *''Sweet Sixteen'' (Francescca Jeffries) *''The Bride'' (D.E. Athkins) *''The Stalker'' (Carol Ellis) *''Unleashed - Blood Sinister'' (

Celia Rees Celia Rees (born 17 June 1949) is an English author. Celia Rees was born in Solihull, West Midlands and attended Tudor Grange Grammar School for Girls. She studied History and Politics at Warwick University and has a PGCE and a master's deg ...

) *''Unleashed - Transformer'' (Philip Gross)

1997

*''Unleashed - At Gehenna's Door'' (Peter Beere) *''Unleashed - The Carver'' (Jenny Jones) *''Unleashed - The Vanished'' (Celia Rees)

1998

*''Unleashed - Catchman'' (Chris Wooding) *''Unleashed - Darker'' (Andrew Matthews) *''Unleashed - House of Bones'' (Graham Masterton) *''Unleashed - The Hanging Tree'' (Paul Stewart)

1999

*''Unleashed - Eve's Party'' (Nick Turnbull) *''Unleashed - Facetaker'' (Philip Gross) *''Unleashed - The Ghost Wife'' (Susan Price) *''Unleashed - Skinners'' (John Gordon)

2000

*''Unleashed - Amy'' (Samantha Lee) *''Unleashed - In Spirit'' (Nick Turnbull) *''Unleashed - The Bogle'' (Samantha Lee) *''Unleashed - Scissorman'' (John Brindley) *''Mutant - Carnival of the Dead'' (Laurence Staig) *''Mutant - Night of the Toxic Slime'' (Anthony Masters) *''Mutant - Ortho's Brood'' (Roger Davenport) *''Mutant - Dissolvers'' (Andrew Matthews)

2001

*''Unleashed - Fright Train'' (Paul Stewart) *''Unleashed - Lowlake'' (Roger Davenport) *''Unleashed - The Cunning Man'' (Celia Rees) *''Mutant - Fly-Blown'' (Philip Wooderson) *''Mutant - Crawlers'' (Andrew Matthews) *''Mutant - Hair Raiser'' (Graham Masterton)

2002

*''Unleashed - Moonchildren'' (Andrew Mathews) *''Unleashed - The Belltower'' (Samantha Lee) *''Unleashed - Welcome Stranger'' (Anthony Masters)

2003

*''Demon'' (Samantha Lee) *''The Dark'' (Linda Cargill) *''The Unseen Part 1 - It Begins'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick) *''X-Isle'' (Peter Lerangis)

2004

*''The Dark II'' (Linda Cargill) *''The Unseen Part 2 - Rest in Peace'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick) *''Return to X-Isle'' (Peter Lerangis) *''Demon II'' (Samantha Lee)

2005

*''The Unseen part 3 - Blood Brothers'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick) *''The Unseen part 4 - Sin and Salvation'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick)

2013

*''Defriended'' (Ruth Baron) *''Identity Theft'' (Anna Davies)

2014

*''Wickedpedia'' (

Chris Van Etten Chris Van Etten is an American television soap opera writer from Rochester, New York. On July 29, 2017, Van Etten was promoted to co-head writer on the ABC soap opera ''General Hospital'', replacing Jean Passanante. He has also created with writi ...

) - July 1st *''Followers'' (Anna Davies) - July 1

References

{{R. L. Stine Series of books Scholastic Corporation books