Pick of the Day: R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour, Vol. 1 & 2 (DVD)

R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour, Vol. 1 & 2. 2 DVDs. approx. 2 hrs. ea. Shout!Factory. 2012. ISBN 978-1-60399-841-3/ ISBN 978-1-60399-842-0. $14.97 ea.
Gr 4-9–Each volume in “R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour” series, currently airing on The Hub TV Network, features five 20-minute episodes from the first season that combine creepy, spine-thrilling adventures with problems children face. In the two-part episode, “Really You,” in the first volume, a spoiled child learns a valuable lesson about love when her doll threatens to take her place. “The Dead Body” is a spooky ghost story. A Santa grants a boy’s wish by destroying his home in “A Creature Was Stirring,” and a werewolf father protects his daughter with a silver necklace in “Nightmare Inn.” The second volume continues with the spookiness and focuses mainly on the theme of friendship. “Red Dress” reveals that everything comes with a price, while “Game Over” and “Alien Candy” demonstrate that friends are our most valuable resource. “The Walls” and “Ghostly Stare” deal with greed. While all the stories may not end happily-ever-after, problems are faced head-on and valuable lessons are often learned. These spooky adventures feature guest stars such as Bailee Madison, Calum Worthy, and Grayson Russell. With its fine acting and mild scare factor, these episodes are sure to be popular with tweens and young teens.–Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY