Doctor Death

Gr 3-5–Jacob Jung is a star basketball player who sees the new town doctor about his acne problem. But when Dr. Blair’s treatment makes his skin problem monstrously worse, Jacob and his afflicted friends start to suspect that the good doctor may be up to something. Originally released in the late 1990s, “Creepers” was inspired by the more popular “Goosebumps” books by R.L. Stine, and readers will compare the two when reading. Both certainly relate to real middle school problems well and have a hi-lo format to appeal to kids—but the wit and humor of Stine, and his ability to create cliff-hanger moments, is lacking here. Certain updates have been added to the original text, like a reference to Tina Belcher from the television show Bob’s Burgers; but more important social changes haven’t been touched at all, like Jacob judging another kid by calling them a “teacher’s pet” for no reason. A few illustrations throughout the text perk up the piece, but similar to the story, the artwork feels more off and rushed than scary and tense.