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Carmen's Reviews > The Horror at Camp Jellyjam
The Horror at Camp Jellyjam (Goosebumps, #33)
by
by
Carmen's review
bookshelves: children, fiction, horror, traditionally-published, he-says, published1995
Feb 28, 2015
bookshelves: children, fiction, horror, traditionally-published, he-says, published1995
Reading for the 3rd time. Most recently started July 30, 2022.
"And what about Mom and Dad?" I demanded. "They couldn't have driven very far before they realized the trailer had come loose. Why haven't they found us? Why hasn't the camp found them?"
Elliot shrugged. "Beats me," he replied casually. He dodged past me and started to the door. "Wendy, you're just unhappy because you stink at sports. But I'm having a great time here. Don't mess it up for me - okay?"
R.L. Stine must have been on some serious substances in 1995 because this book is flippin' insane. The ending is so bizarre and so weird and so disturbing I am unsure whether there is a kid in existence who could take this seriously.
The book starts out shakily. Wendy (12) and her brother Elliot (11) are on a road trip with their parents. They go into the trailer their parents are hauling behind their car to play. The trailer gets separated from the car and the kids roll downhill only to open the door and find themselves in the middle of a sports camp called King Jellyjam's. o.O A camp counselor with the dubious name of "Buddy" offers to let them stay at camp. The kids go off with a strange man named Buddy, into the woods. o.O
The camp is loaded with kids and huge sports complexes. Everyone is very competitive and serious about winning. Every time you win at a sport, you are awarded with a gold coin with the image of a purple blob - King Jellyjam - stamped into it. If you get six coins you get to walk the Winners' Walk, which is a huge honor.
Wendy and Elliot - seemingly unperturbed that they are separated from their likely frantic parents - start entering swim races and ping-pong tournaments. The highly competitive Elliot thinks he's in heaven. After a few competitions, Wendy finally remembers she has a set of parents and gets the bright idea to call home. She has to find a pay phone because, hey, this is 1995. However - get this - she gets distracted from calling her parents after locating said payphone by her dorm-mates and forgets to call home. The mind boggles.
When she finally picks up the thread again, 8 chapters later, she realizes the phones are rigged so that no one can make outgoing calls. Okay, that was scary, I have to admit.
Wendy, who is not as athletically-inclined as her brother, has noticed some strange(r) things about camp. Like the small earthquakes that happen multiple times a day. And the fact that everyone who has walked the Winners' Walk has mysteriously vanished, never to be seen again. And she sees the counselors hurrying to some unknown meeting place late at night when all the campers are in bed.
Okay, here is what's going on: (view spoiler)
OKAY. Is that not the CRAZIEST shit you've ever heard in your life? I thought so.
Tl;dr - I have to give this one star. I know for a fact that Stine is capable of much better than this. "Bizarre" and "lame" doesn't even BEGIN to cover the craziness that is this book. Definitely skip this one, it's not worth it. Beyond weird.
Elliot shrugged. "Beats me," he replied casually. He dodged past me and started to the door. "Wendy, you're just unhappy because you stink at sports. But I'm having a great time here. Don't mess it up for me - okay?"
R.L. Stine must have been on some serious substances in 1995 because this book is flippin' insane. The ending is so bizarre and so weird and so disturbing I am unsure whether there is a kid in existence who could take this seriously.
The book starts out shakily. Wendy (12) and her brother Elliot (11) are on a road trip with their parents. They go into the trailer their parents are hauling behind their car to play. The trailer gets separated from the car and the kids roll downhill only to open the door and find themselves in the middle of a sports camp called King Jellyjam's. o.O A camp counselor with the dubious name of "Buddy" offers to let them stay at camp. The kids go off with a strange man named Buddy, into the woods. o.O
The camp is loaded with kids and huge sports complexes. Everyone is very competitive and serious about winning. Every time you win at a sport, you are awarded with a gold coin with the image of a purple blob - King Jellyjam - stamped into it. If you get six coins you get to walk the Winners' Walk, which is a huge honor.
Wendy and Elliot - seemingly unperturbed that they are separated from their likely frantic parents - start entering swim races and ping-pong tournaments. The highly competitive Elliot thinks he's in heaven. After a few competitions, Wendy finally remembers she has a set of parents and gets the bright idea to call home. She has to find a pay phone because, hey, this is 1995. However - get this - she gets distracted from calling her parents after locating said payphone by her dorm-mates and forgets to call home. The mind boggles.
When she finally picks up the thread again, 8 chapters later, she realizes the phones are rigged so that no one can make outgoing calls. Okay, that was scary, I have to admit.
Wendy, who is not as athletically-inclined as her brother, has noticed some strange(r) things about camp. Like the small earthquakes that happen multiple times a day. And the fact that everyone who has walked the Winners' Walk has mysteriously vanished, never to be seen again. And she sees the counselors hurrying to some unknown meeting place late at night when all the campers are in bed.
Okay, here is what's going on: (view spoiler)
OKAY. Is that not the CRAZIEST shit you've ever heard in your life? I thought so.
Tl;dr - I have to give this one star. I know for a fact that Stine is capable of much better than this. "Bizarre" and "lame" doesn't even BEGIN to cover the craziness that is this book. Definitely skip this one, it's not worth it. Beyond weird.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
February 28, 2015
–
Started Reading
February 28, 2015
– Shelved
February 28, 2015
–
3.13%
"My brother is such a bad sport. He takes games way too seriously, and he really hates to lose. Sometimes he gets so intense when he's playing soccer or softball, I really worry about him.
Sometimes when he thinks he can't win, he just quits. Like now."
page
4
Sometimes when he thinks he can't win, he just quits. Like now."
February 28, 2015
–
3.91%
""Are you sure it's safe?" Mom asked Dad.
Dad nodded. "What could happen?"
Well, now something terrible is going to happen, because you jinxed it. Jeez."
page
5
Dad nodded. "What could happen?"
Well, now something terrible is going to happen, because you jinxed it. Jeez."
February 28, 2015
–
5.47%
"I knew that would get him. Elliot can't stand to be called a chicken... To me, a game is just a game. But to Elliot, every game is life or death."
page
7
February 28, 2015
–
13.28%
""King Jellyjam's Sports Camp," I read the words aloud.
A funny, purple cartoon character had been drawn beside the words on the banner. He looked like a blob of grape bubble gum. He had a big smile on his face. He wore a gold crown on his head.
...
"But we can't go to your camp," I protested. "We have to find our parents. We have to..."
Buddy put a hand on my shoulder and a hand on Elliot's shoulder."
page
17
A funny, purple cartoon character had been drawn beside the words on the banner. He looked like a blob of grape bubble gum. He had a big smile on his face. He wore a gold crown on his head.
...
"But we can't go to your camp," I protested. "We have to find our parents. We have to..."
Buddy put a hand on my shoulder and a hand on Elliot's shoulder."
February 28, 2015
–
15.63%
"But I stopped when I saw a little girl poke her head out from behind a wide tree trunk.
She appeared to be about 6 or 7. She had bright red hair and a face full of freckles. She wore a pale blue T-shirt pulled down over black tights.
"Hey - " she called in a loud whisper. "Hey - !"
I turned toward her, startled.
"Don't come in!" she called. "Run away! Don't come in!"
Dum dum DUM!"
page
20
She appeared to be about 6 or 7. She had bright red hair and a face full of freckles. She wore a pale blue T-shirt pulled down over black tights.
"Hey - " she called in a loud whisper. "Hey - !"
I turned toward her, startled.
"Don't come in!" she called. "Run away! Don't come in!"
Dum dum DUM!"
February 28, 2015
–
17.97%
"Buddy and I chatted as we walked. I told him about my school and about how my favorite sports are swimming and biking.
We stopped at the white double-door entrance to the dorm. "Where are you from?" I asked him.
Buddy stared back at me. He had such a confused expression on his face. For a moment, I thought he didn't understand the question.
"Do you come from around here?" I asked.
He swallowed hard."
page
23
We stopped at the white double-door entrance to the dorm. "Where are you from?" I asked him.
Buddy stared back at me. He had such a confused expression on his face. For a moment, I thought he didn't understand the question.
"Do you come from around here?" I asked.
He swallowed hard."
February 28, 2015
–
22.66%
"I saw that I had no choice. I went into the bathroom and started to change.
But my questions repeated in my mind. I really wanted them answered.
Why did i have to compete in the race? Why couldn't I just have a swim?
And why did everyone keep repeating "Only The Best"?
What did they mean?"
page
29
But my questions repeated in my mind. I really wanted them answered.
Why did i have to compete in the race? Why couldn't I just have a swim?
And why did everyone keep repeating "Only The Best"?
What did they mean?"
February 28, 2015
–
29.69%
"As I walked past the tennis courts, I thought hard about Holly's warning.
Why was it so important for me to win the race?
So that I could be awarded one of those gold coins with the blobby purple king on it?
Why should I care about winning coins? Why couldn't I just play some games, make new friends, and have fun?
Why did Holly say she was giving me a warning? A warning about what?"
page
38
Why was it so important for me to win the race?
So that I could be awarded one of those gold coins with the blobby purple king on it?
Why should I care about winning coins? Why couldn't I just play some games, make new friends, and have fun?
Why did Holly say she was giving me a warning? A warning about what?"
February 28, 2015
–
35.16%
"The ground shook hard. The awning over the Ping-Pong tables shook. The tables bounced on the ground.
My knees buckled. I struggled to stay on my feet.
"Earthquake!" I choked out again.
"It's okay!" Buddy called, running toward me.
He was right. The rumbling sound faded quickly. The ground stopped shaking.
"That happens sometimes," Buddy explained. "It's no problem.""
page
45
My knees buckled. I struggled to stay on my feet.
"Earthquake!" I choked out again.
"It's okay!" Buddy called, running toward me.
He was right. The rumbling sound faded quickly. The ground stopped shaking.
"That happens sometimes," Buddy explained. "It's no problem.""
February 28, 2015
–
36.72%
"Besides, I told myself, Mom and Dad will be here any minute. And Elliot and I will have to leave.
Mom and Dad... their faces flashed into my mind.
They must be frantic, I realized. They must be worried sick. I hoped they were okay.
I suddenly had an idea.
I'll call home, I decided. I should have thought of this before. I'll call home and leave a message on our answering machine. "
page
47
Mom and Dad... their faces flashed into my mind.
They must be frantic, I realized. They must be worried sick. I hoped they were okay.
I suddenly had an idea.
I'll call home, I decided. I should have thought of this before. I'll call home and leave a message on our answering machine. "
February 28, 2015
–
39.06%
"I realized I was smiling. Dierdre had been so excited, she'd gotten me excited. So excited, I forgot about my phone call.
I have to give this camp a chance, I decided. I have to get into the spirit of things and start having some fun. Only The Best! I'm going to win that tennis tournament!
Are you kidding me. Priorities, Wendy! Priorities!!!"
page
50
I have to give this camp a chance, I decided. I have to get into the spirit of things and start having some fun. Only The Best! I'm going to win that tennis tournament!
Are you kidding me. Priorities, Wendy! Priorities!!!"
February 28, 2015
–
57.03%
""Do you know where Dierdre went?" I demanded.
He narrowed his eyes in surprise. "Dierdre?"
"A girl in my dorm room," I explained. "She didn't come back to the room last night. Her closet is empty."
"Dierdre," he repeated, thinking hard. He raised his clipboard to his face and ran his finger down it slowly. "Oh, yeah. She's gone." His cheeks turned bright pink.
"Excuse me?" I stared up at him."
page
73
He narrowed his eyes in surprise. "Dierdre?"
"A girl in my dorm room," I explained. "She didn't come back to the room last night. Her closet is empty."
"Dierdre," he repeated, thinking hard. He raised his clipboard to his face and ran his finger down it slowly. "Oh, yeah. She's gone." His cheeks turned bright pink.
"Excuse me?" I stared up at him."
February 28, 2015
–
60.16%
""And what about Mom and Dad?" I demanded. "They couldn't have driven very far before they realized the trailer had come loose. Why haven't they found us? Why hasn't the camp found them?"
Elliot shrugged. "Beats me," he replied casually. He dodged past me and started to the door. "Wendy, you're just unhappy because you stink at sports. But I'm having a great time here. Don't mess it up for me - okay?""
page
77
Elliot shrugged. "Beats me," he replied casually. He dodged past me and started to the door. "Wendy, you're just unhappy because you stink at sports. But I'm having a great time here. Don't mess it up for me - okay?""
February 28, 2015
–
61.72%
""Hi there, Camper!"boomed a cheerful, deep voice. "Have a wonderful day at camp. This is King Jellyjam greeting you. Work hard. Play hard. And win. And always remember - Only The Best!"
"Oh, no!" I cried. "A stupid message - !"
Hi there, Camper! Have a wonderful day - "The tape started to repeat in my ear.
I slammed the receiver down and picked up the next phone."
page
79
"Oh, no!" I cried. "A stupid message - !"
Hi there, Camper! Have a wonderful day - "The tape started to repeat in my ear.
I slammed the receiver down and picked up the next phone."
February 28, 2015
–
68.75%
"The bat felt pretty good. I took a few more soft swings.
Then I pulled it behind my shoulder - and swung as hard as I could.
I didn't see Buddy standing there.
The bat smacked him hard in the chest.
It made a sickening thoccck as it crashed into his ribs.
I let the bat fall from my hands. Then I staggered back. Stunned. Horrified."
page
88
Then I pulled it behind my shoulder - and swung as hard as I could.
I didn't see Buddy standing there.
The bat smacked him hard in the chest.
It made a sickening thoccck as it crashed into his ribs.
I let the bat fall from my hands. Then I staggered back. Stunned. Horrified."
February 28, 2015
–
Finished Reading
July 30, 2022
–
Started Reading
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Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*
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rated it 3 stars
Feb 28, 2015 11:00PM
Yeah but the covers cute, right? :)
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The spoiler...if he comes again this year to my city's book festival I'll ask him this question for you.
Erin ㋡ is in a reviewing slump wrote: "Yeah but the covers cute, right? :)"Erin - I wouldn't say "cute." More like "hideous." LOL
Nate wrote: "The spoiler...if he comes again this year to my city's book festival I'll ask him this question for you."LOL Is this a possibility, Nay-Nay? I would love to meet the great Mr. Stine - I think he had a wonderful impact on many kids' lives. :) The most important question to ask, though, is what kind of recreational substances was he on while writing this book?! o.O
Lol...Stine doesn't strike as much of a rock-and-roller type. He was probably just reaching for the sublimely bizarre (which he seems to have missed.) I do know that Stephen King straight up doesn't remember writing one of his books (I think it's Tommyknockers) because he was SO fucked up in the 80s. Haven't read it, although that description makes me really want to.
Nay-Nay wrote: Lol...Stine doesn't strike as much of a rock-and-roller type. He was probably just reaching for the sublimely bizarre (which he seems to have missed.) I do know that Stephen King straight up doesn't remember writing one of his books (I think it's Tommyknockers) because he was SO fucked up in the 80s. Haven't read it, although that description makes me really want to.Nay-Nay - Well, I guess there was Pearl the vampire in Blade (1998) and Balthazar the demon in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1999). So other mediums have used this plot device, and after Stine used it, so...
As for Stephen King, I will let you know when I get to Tommyknockers. :)
This review was amazing. LOL.
LOL Thank you kindly, Nenia! :)
Wait, was there a--and I'm not gonna use spoilers here because it's so utterly ridiculous that no one is gonna care and would probably be grateful to be spared--snail-sweating reeking purple goo monster in Blade?
Nate wrote: "Wait, was there a--and I'm not gonna use spoilers here because it's so utterly ridiculous that no one is gonna care and would probably be grateful to be spared--snail-sweating reeking purple goo monster in BLADE?"LOL No, a hugely obese - unable to move - vampire named Pearl who was surrounded by people who brought him stuff. He worked for Deacon Frost as a record keeper.
Gosh, I love the Blade movie... :) Need to re-watch that.
Mark - I know, right? Hilarious and yet frightening... LOL
It's like he's the lovechild of Slappy the Dummy and Kirstie Alley.
Nenia - LOL Where do you come up with this stuff!!!??? So funny.
I had read the beginning of this book in a store as a kid, didn't buy it, didn't read it... I must say I am disappointed by the ending. I guess this one was maybe supposed to be humorous?
Lol, your review totally jogged my memory on this one! O_O
I wish I’dread this review before reading this book today. 😛
Ashlaya wrote: "I had read the beginning of this book in a store as a kid, didn't buy it, didn't read it... I must say I am disappointed by the ending. I guess this one was maybe supposed to be humorous?"Thanks, Ashlaya!
Heather *Undercover Goth Queen* wrote: "Lol, your review totally jogged my memory on this one! O_O"LOL I'm glad, Heather!
valerie wrote: "I hate it a lot so much":(
Alexandra wrote: "super entertaining synopsis and review. wish i could like this more than once 😂😭"Aw, thanks, Alexandra! :)
Adi Rocks Socks (semi hiatus) wrote: "I wish I’dread this review before reading this book today. 😛"I wish so, too! :)
