''Point Horror'' is a series of

young adult In medicine and the social sciences, a young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence, sometimes with some overlap. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages ...

horror fiction Horror is a genre of speculative fiction that is intended to disturb, frighten, or scare an audience. Horror is often divided into the sub-genres of psychological horror and supernatural horror. Literary historian J. A. Cuddon, in 1984, defin ...

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

History

The ''Point Horror'' series was launched in 1991 by

Scholastic Inc Scholastic Corporation is an American multinational publishing, education, and media company that publishes and distributes books, comics, and educational materials for schools, teachers, parents, children, and other educational institutions. P ...

, 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) is an American novelist. He is the writer of '' Goosebumps,'' a horror fiction novel series which has sold over 400 million copies globally in 35 languages, becoming the second- best-selling book ...

, L.J. Smith (author),

Diane Hoh Diane Hoh is an American author of young adult horror fiction, best known for her ''Nightmare Hall'' series and Point Horror novels. She grew up in Warren, Pennsylvania and moved back there permanently in 2021 after 33 years in Austin, Texas. Rec ...

, Richie Tankersley Cusick, Christopher Pike, and Caroline B. Cooney.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, whilst 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. Dubbed the "King of Horror", he is widely known for his horror novels and has also explored other genres, among them Thriller (genre), suspense, crime fiction, crime, scienc ...

, 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 Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...

'' 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 related fiction/non-fiction excerpts by different authors. There are also thematic and g ...

series for

HBO Max Max (known in other countries as, and soon to be reverted globally to HBO Max) is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. It is a proprietary unit of Warner Bros. Discovery Streaming on behalf of Home Box Of ...

Publications

1979

*''Avalanche'' (Arthur Roth)

1980

*''When No One Was Looking'' (Rosemary Wells)

1985

*''Slumber Party'' ( Christopher Pike)

1986

*''

Blind Date A blind date is a romantic meeting between two people who have never met before. Both parties arrange a date with little to no information about each other, hoping for the possibility of making a lasting impression. Typically, a family member or ...

'' (

) *''Weekend'' ( Christopher Pike)

1987

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

1988

*''

The Lifeguard ''The Lifeguard'' is a 2013 American drama film 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 ...

'' ( Richie Tankersley Cusick) *''The Nightmare Man'' (Tessa Krailing)

1989

*''Party Line'' (A. Bates) *''The Fog'' ( Caroline B. Cooney) *'' The Babysitter'' (R.L. Stine) *''Trick or Treat'' (Richie Tankersley Cusick) *''My Secret Admirer'' (Carol Ellis) *'' Prom Dress'' ( Lael Littke) *''The Rain Ghost'' (

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

)

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) *# "Collect Call" ( Christopher Pike) *# "Lucinda" (Lael Littke) *# "The Guccioli Miniature" (

Jay Bennett Jay Walter Bennett (November 15, 1963 – May 24, 2009) was an American multi-instrumentalist, engineer, producer, and singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the band Wilco from 1994 to 2001. Biography Early life and work with Wilco Jay ...

) Originally written and published in 1975. *# "Blood Kiss" (D.E. Athkins) *# "A Little Taste of Death" (Patricia Windsor) *# "The Doll" (Carol Ellis) *# "House of Horrors" (J.B. Stamper) *# "Where the Deer Are" (Caroline B. Cooney) *# "The Spell" (R.L. Stine) *# "Dedicated to the One I Love" (Diane Hoh) *# "Hacker" (Sinclair Smith) *# "Deathflash" (

) *# "The Boy Next Door" (Ellen Emerson White) *''Mother's Helper'' (A. Bates) *''Sister Dearest'' (D.E. Athkins) *''The Accident'' (Diane Hoh) *''

The Babysitter II ''The Babysitter'' is a novel series by R. L. Stine. The first novel in the series was published in 1989, and it led to establishing Stine as a prominent author in the children's horror genre.Cullinan, Bernice E.; Person, Diane G''The Continuum ...

'' (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 Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst Leipzig from 2001 to 2011, and ...

) *''The Stepdaughter'' (Carol Ellis) *''The Stranger'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''The Vampire's Promise'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''

The Babysitter III ''The Babysitter'' is a novel series by R. L. Stine. The first novel in the series was published in 1989, and it led to establishing Stine as a prominent author in the children's horror genre.Cullinan, Bernice E.; Person, Diane G''The Continuum ...

'' (R.L. Stine)

1994

*''13 More Tales of Horror'' An Anthology of short horror stories; (These short stories are not published individually) *# "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 Midland ...

) *# "The Piano" (Diane Hoh) *# "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 ...

) *# "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 '' Orcs: First Blood'' series. Career His journalism has appeared in ''The Gu ...

) *# "The House That Jack Built" (

) *# "The Station With No Name" (

Colin Greenland Colin Greenland (born 17 May 1954) is a British science fiction writer, whose first story won the second prize in a 1982 Faber & Faber competition. His best-known novel is '' Take Back Plenty'' (1990), winner of both major British science ficti ...

) *# "Something to Read" (

Philip Pullman Sir Philip Nicholas Outram Pullman (born 19 October 1946) is an English writer. He is best known for the fantasy trilogy ''His Dark Materials''. The first volume, ''Northern Lights'' (1995), won the Carnegie Medal

) *# "Killing Time" ( Jill Bennett) *# "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 ...

) *# "The Buyers" ( David Belbin) *# "Closeness" (

Chris Westwood Christopher John Westwood (born 13 February 1977) is an English former professional footballer. Career Wolverhampton Wanderers Westwood began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers as a youth trainee, making his league debut for Wolves in S ...

) *# "The Ring" (Margaret Bingley) *# "Bone Meal" ( John Gordon) *''Call Waiting'' (R.L. Stine) *''Driver's Dead'' (

Peter Lerangis Peter Duncan Lerangis (born 1955, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American author of children's and young adult fiction, best known for his '' Seven Wonders'' series and his work on the '' 39 Clues'' series. Life and career Lerangis's work includes ...

) *''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) * ''The Witness'' (R.L. Stine) *''Twins'' (Caroline B. Cooney) *''The Diary'' (Sinclair Smith) *''The Forbidden Game 1: The Hunter'' ( L.J. Smith (author)) *''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) *# "Anjelica's Room" (Laurence Staig) *# "Foxgloves" (Susan Price) *# "The Ultimate Assassin" (Malcolm Rose) *# "The Rattan Collar" (Garry Kilworth) *# "'Boomerang" (David Belbin) *# "The Delinquent" (Maresa Morgan) *# "The Ghost Trap" (

Lisa Tuttle Lisa Gracia Tuttle (born September 16, 1952) is an American science fiction, fantasy, and horror author. She has published more than a dozen novels, seven short story collections, and several non-fiction titles, including a reference book on fem ...

) *# "Close Cut" (

Philip Gross Philip Gross (born 1952) is a poet, novelist, playwright, children's writer and academic based in England and Wales. He is currently Professor of Creative Writing at the University of South Wales. Biography Philip Gross was born in 1952 at Del ...

) *# "Grandma" (Colin Greenland) *# "Vampire in Venice" (John Gordon) *# "Picking up the Tab" (

) *# "Evidence of Angels" (Graham Masterton) *# "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'' (Francesca Jeffries) *''The Bride'' (D.E. Athkins) *''The Stalker'' (Carol Ellis) *''Unleashed - Blood Sinister'' ( Celia Rees) *''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. Chris resides in New York, New York with his husband. On July 29, 2017, Van Etten was promoted to co-head writer on the ABC soap opera ''General Hospital'', re ...

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

References

{{R. L. Stine Book series Scholastic Corporation books