Give Yourself Goosebumps 6 - beware of the purple peanut butter

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Transcript of Give Yourself Goosebumps 6 - beware of the purple peanut butter

BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHISBOOKFROM

BEGINNINGTOEND!

“Don’tgointhebasement!”yourauntwarnsasyoustartagameofhide-and-seekwithyourtwohorriblecousins.

Doyoulisten?Noway!Butwhileyou’rehidinginthebasement,yourstomachgrumblesandgrowls.Youopenanold

refrigeratorandfindajarofpurplepeanutbutterandastalechocolatecake.Whichshouldyoueat?Watchout:ASMALLtasteofoneofthesefoodscouldcauseBIGtrouble—youmayneverbethesameagain!

You’reincontrolofthisscaryadventure.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andhowterrifyingthescareswillbe.

StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.

SOTAKEALONG,DEEPBREATH,CROSSYOURFINGERS,ANDTURNTOPAGE1TOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

Contents

Beware!!

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Teaser

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Copyright

Youcan’tbelieveyourparentsdidthistoyou!YourmomanddadareofftoEuropeonabusinesstrip.Soyouhavetospendthesummerin

FiskevillewithAuntFionaandUncleHarvey.WhichmeansspendingthesummerwithyourcousinsBarneyandDora.

Whichmeansasummeroftorture.Barneyisayearolderthanyouandabully.Doraisayearyoungerandawhinypest.Notwhatyou

hadinmindforyoursummervacation.Youstareglumlyoutthecarwindowasyourauntanduncledrivehomefromtheairport.AuntFiona

turnsaroundinthefrontseatandbeamsatyou.“BarneyandDoracan’twaittillwebringyouhome,”shesqueals.

I’llbet,youthink.Bad-NewsBarneycan’twaittopoundmeintotheground.DoratheDragcan’twaittoropemeintoplayingwithherdolls.

UncleHarveypullsthecarintoadriveway.Youstareatthehouse.It’stwostorieshighandrun-down.Thelawnischokedwithweeds.Thefrontstepsarecrackedandcrumbling.Notverypromising.

Atleastthecreepycousinsaren’taround,youthink.Maybeyoucansneakoffbeforetheyknowyou’rehere.

Thenaloudbangmakesyounearlyjumpoutofyourskin!

GoontoPAGE2.

Barneyrunsoutthefrontdoor,lettingitslambehindhim.Youslowlystepoutofthecar.Barney’spudgyfacebreaksintoameangrinunderhisthickblondhair.Eventhoughhe’sonlyayearolderthanyou,he’stwiceyoursize.Whileyourauntanduncleunloadthecar,hepunchesyouonthearm,hard.

“Hi,wimp,”hesnarls.Doraskipsaroundthesideofthehouse,holdingherobnoxiousorangecat,Puff.Dora’sdarkhair

hangsintwolongbraidsoverhershoulders.Sheeyesyouwithasmirk,thengiggles.Puffhissesatyou.Whatasummer!youthink.Maybeyoucanspendyourentirevacationupstairsinyourroom.Butno.“We’vebeenwaitingforyou,”Barneysays.“Let’splayhide-and-seek.”Oh,no,youthink.It’sstarting.“It’snicetoseeyou’realreadyhavingfun,”AuntFionagushes.“YouruncleandIhavetogobackto

workattheuniversity.I’lltakeyoursuitcaseupstairsforyou.”“No,really—”youprotest.“Idon’tmind—”“Nonsense,”UncleHarveyresponds.“Youkidsgoonandplay.There’sjustonething.It’svery

important.Youcanplayanywhereyouwant,butdon’tgointhebasement.”

TurntoPAGE23.

Thewaterbugtriestoclimbontothestick.Younoticethatithaswings.Whichgivesyouanidea.Anideathatmakesyouwanttohurl.Youreachoutandpatthewaterbug.Itsbodyfeelshardandslimy.Itwavesitsantennaeatyou.It

seemstolikeyou.Great.I’vefoundanewfriend,youthink.AfriendwhoissodisgustingthatnowevenBarneylooksgood!Youpatthehugebrownbugagain.Thenyouclimbontoitsback.Itdoesn’tseemtomind.Yougrab

holdofitsantennae,andkickthebuginthesidesasifyouwereridingahorse.Asyouhoped,itspreadsitswings.Thenextmoment,it’sflying!Up,up,up!

FlyontoPAGE104.

Youdon’twanttogetintroubleonyourveryfirstdayhere.Youtakeoffrunning.Younoticetheotherkidsscatteringinalldirections.Afteryou’veputsomedistancebetweenyouandthefield,youglanceback.Bythetimethepolicecararrivesatthebaseballfield,itiscompletelydeserted.

Phew,youthink,thatwasclose.Yourrumblingstomachremindsyouthatyouarestillhungry.Thatchocolatecakewasn’tenough.As

youheadforhome,yourealizethatnowevenUncleHarvey’sshoesaretootight.Yourtoesarescrunchedupinsidethesneakers.Youwalkbyaneighbor’swindowandcatchaglimpseofyourreflectionintheglass.

Youcan’tbelieveyoureyes!Youareatleastafoottallerthanyouwerethismorning.

TurntoPAGE134.

Yourundownthestreettotheleft.Thenumber5buspullsupjustasyouarriveatthecorner.Bynowyou’resosmallthatyouhavetostandontiptoetodropyourcoinsintothebox.Andwhen

youarriveattheuniversity,youcan’treachtheropetosignalforastop.Luckily,someotherpeoplearegettingout,too.Youslipoffthebusbehindthem.

Theuniversityishuge.Dozensofbigred-brickbuildingssurroundagrassyarea.Peoplehurryalongthepathways.

Howwillyoufindyouraunt?Asignpointstothemainadministrationbuilding.Maybethat’swhereyoucanfindoutwhereAunt

Fionais.Youheadthatway.Thenthosepinkdotsappearagain.Thousandsofdots.Whenyourfingersandtoesstoptingling,youdiscoverthatyouarenowthesameheightasthe

dandelionsonthelawn!Attherateyou’reshrinking,youmightdisappearbeforeyoumakeittothemainbuilding.Shouldyourunintothephysicsbuildingrightinfrontofyou?Maybeoneofthescientistswillbe

abletohelpyou.Orshouldyoukeepgoingtothemainbuildingtofindyouraunt?

Ifyoudashintothephysicsbuilding,zoomovertoPAGE39.Ifyoukeeplookingforyouraunt,turntoPAGE126.

YouwanttotrytotalktoBarney.Youwatchhimraceforthehouse.“Stop!”youshout.Thesoundofyourvoicemakestheentireyardshake.YoupickBarneyupinyourhand.Hescreamsinterror.“No!”heyells.“No!Putmedown!Pleaseputmedown!”You’veneverseenhimsoscaredbefore.You’veneverseenanyonesoscaredbefore.Hereally

thinksyou’reamutantalien!“Please,”herepeats,sobbing.“I’lldoanythingyousay.Justdon’thurtme.”Yourfaceistoobigforhimtorecognize.Barneyhasalwaysbeensonastytoyouthatyoucan’t

resistscaringhimalittlemore.Youlifthimevenhigher,untilhistoesdangleabovethetreetops.Hekicksandscreamsevenlouder.“Putmedown!”heyells.“Please,pleaseputmedown!”“Notyet!”youthunder.Thenyoubringhim,squirmingandcrying,levelwithyourface.“Youpuny

human,”youtellhim.“Icouldsmashyoulikeabuginasecond.ButI’llletyouliveononecondition.”

GoontoPAGE119.

Youscoopherupinyourpalmandholdherclosetoyourfacewhileyouexplainwhathappenedtoyou.

“I’veseencaseslikethisbefore,”shesayswhenyoufinish.“IthinkIcanhelp.”Shereachesintoherrobesandpullsoutasmall,tornbrownbag.

“Takethisherbalmixture,”sheinstructs.“Buttakeonlyatinypartofit.Theresultscanbeveryunpredictable.”

Youtakethesmallbagfromherhandandsetherontheground.“Thanks,”yousay.You’reabouttoaskhermorewhenshespeaksagain.

“DoasIsay,”shetellsyou.“Now,nomorequestions.It’stimeformynap.”Youblinkonceandshe’sgone.Youalmostthinkyouimaginedher.Butthetinybrownbagsitsin

yourhand.Youopenit.Astrong,spicyscentimmediatelyfillstheair.Youshakethecontentsoutinyourhand.

Asmallpinchofbrown-and-greenpowderfallsontoyourpalm.There’smaybeateaspoonaltogether.Thefortunetellertoldyoutotakeatinyamountofthemixture.Butthisisatinyamount.Andyou’re

sobig,youdon’tseehowitcanpossiblyhelpyou.

Shouldyoueatjustpartofthemixture?TurntoPAGE79.Ormaybeyououghttotakethewholething—tryPAGE125.

Youscurryintothenearbyroom.It’sabroomclosetfilledwithcleaningsupplies.Mopsandbroomshangonthewall.Apailthat

seemsasbigasacarsitsonashelfaboveyourhead.Youhearthejanitor’sheavyfootstepsapproaching.“Inthere!”thewomanscreams.“Isawitgointhere!”“Don’tworry,”thejanitor’svoicebooms.“I’lltakecareofit.”Heentersthecloset.Youjumpupanddown,wavingyourarms.“I’makid,”youshoutasloudasyoucan.Thefatjanitorbendsdownandsquintsatyou.“Hey!”heexclaims.“You’renotamouse!”Youletoutahugesighofrelief.Finally!Someonewhocanhelpyou!Thejanitorpicksyouupcarefullybythecollarandbringsyouclosetohisface.“Idon’tbelievemy

eyes!”hesputters.“You’rea—!You’rea—”Youwatchthejanitor’shugeeyesrollupintohishead.Secondsbeforehefaints,hedropsyoutothe

ground.Toobadyoudon’thaveenoughtimetoscrambleoutoftheway.SPLAT!

You’vecometoavery

FLATEND

YouhurryovertoDr.Abbott.Youtryshoutingathim.Buthedoesn’thearyourfeeble,squeakyvoice.

Youtrypullingonhispantscuff.Butallhedoesisshakehisleg,sendingyouflyingunderthetable.Howcanyoumakehimnotice?Thenyougetagreatidea.Movingcarefully,youuntietheshoelaces

onbothofhisshoes.You’resosmallthatit’slikeuntyingtwojumpropes.Now,slowly,carefully,youtiethetwolacestogether.Youmakeaknot.He’ssobusyworkinghe

doesn’tnotice.Youscrambleoutofthewayandwait.Itdoesn’ttakelong.Dr.Abbottstandsup.Hestartstocrosstheroom.BAM!Hetripsandfallsflatonhisface.“Hey!”heshoutsangrily.“Whotiedmyshoestogether?”“Idid,”youreply.He’sstilllyingflatonthefloor.Youstrollovertohishead.“Whosaidthat?”hedemandsangrily.“Speakup!”“Ididit,”yourepeat.You’restandinginfrontofhisface.“I’msorry—Ihadtogetyoutonotice

me.”Nowhefocusesonyou.Atfirsthelookssurprised.Thenhefrowns.Hesuddenlyswoopshishand

outtoswatyou.

GoontoPAGE51.

Youglanceuptoseeawomandressedinasilverbathingsuit.She’shangingupsidedownfromahighwire.Oneendofthewireiscaughtinyourhair!

“Hey!”sheshoutsatyou.“Getoutofmyact!”“I’msorry—”youapologize.“Ididn’tmeantobotheryou.”Youreachupanduntanglethewire

fromyourhair.Thecrowdgoeswild.They’reapplaudingyou.Yousmileatthemandbow.“Herecomestheowner!”thetigertrainerdeclares.“You’reinbigtroublenow!”Youpeerdowntoseeasmall,fatmaninaclownsuitapproaching.Hehasawhitefacewithtwo

hugeblackeyesandabrightpinknose.“I’msorry,”youstammer,bendingovertotalktohim.“Ididn’tmeantoruinthecircus.Ionlycame

here—”“Ruinit?”themancutsyouoff.“Areyoukidding?Thisisthebestactwe’vehadinyears!Howdid

yougetsobig?Howdidyougetthetigerstolikeyousomuch?”“Ican’treallyexplain,”youreply.“Itallstarted—”“Nevermind!”theclowninterruptsagain.“Iwanttohireyou!Whencanyoustart?”Thinkquickly!Thecircusisagreatplacetohideout.Butdoyoureallywanttospendtherestof

yourlifehere?

Ifyoujointhecircus,turntoPAGE113.Ifyousaynothanks,gotoPAGE118.

Youdiveforthecan.Excellent!youthink.YouknowwhatMonsterBloodisfromreadingGOOSEBUMPS.MonsterBloodmakesthingsgrow.MonsterBloodwillmakeyougrow.

Youhoistyourselfontopofthefloatingcan.You’resittingontopofthefadedlabel.Youbrushsomemudoffandread:MONSTERBLOOD.SURPRISINGMIRACLESUBSTANCE.

Slowly,youcrawldownthecantothelid.Thecanrocksbackandforthinthemurkywater.Youfeelasifyou’rebalancingonalog.Thebrownwaterlapsoverthesidesofthecan.

Withallyourstrength,youtugatthelid.It’swedgedtight.Youtugandtug.Youhavetogetitopen.YouknowtheslimygreenMonsterBloodinsidewillmakeyougrow.Yougrityourteethandgiveonefinaltug.Thelidpopsoffandsplashesintothewater!Youreachyourhandintothecanandfeel…

GotoPAGE43.

You’vegotit!You’llfindyourauntattheuniversity.Shecangetyouadoctor’sappointment.Ormaybesomeoneatthecollegewillbeabletohelpyou.Youraceintotheden.Yousearchinyouraunt’sdeskdrawerfordirectionstotheuniversity.

Finally,youfindabusmap.Therearetwobusesthatseemtogototheuniversity—thenumber103andthenumber5.Theyleavefromoppositeendsofyourblock.

Youdon’tknowwhichbusisbest.Youdon’twanttowakeupBarneyandDoratoaskthem.They’vecausedyouenoughtroublealready.

You’lljusthavetoguess.Whichbuswillyoutake?

Forthenumber103bus,raceovertoPAGE103.Ortakethenumber5busonPAGE5.

Youquicklyspinonyourheelsandsprinttowardthekitchen.Barneylungesforyou.Clumsily,hetripsoverhisownfeetandfallsonthefloor.Withoutstopping,youyankopenoneofthelowercupboarddoorsandwriggleinside.You’reso

smallnowthatyoueasilyslipinamongthepotsandpans.Barneywillneverfindyouhere!Youhearhimstompingintothekitchenjustasyoupullthe

cupboarddoorshut.“Whereareyou?”hedemands.“Youcan’thidefrommeforever!”Wannabet,youthink.Youhearhimopenthedoortothepantry,thenslamitshut.Luckily,henevergotagoodlookatyou.

Hehasnoideathatyouarenowsmallenoughtofitintothislittlecupboard.“Wimp!”Barneyhollers.“You’llhavetocomeoutsoonerorlater!”Definitelylater,youthink.YouheartheTVclickbackon.Fromthesoundofit,Barney’swatchingareallynoisyrace-car

program.Thiswillbeagreattimetoleavethecupboard.Nowayhe’llhearyouclimbout.Smiling,youpreparetoclimboutofthecupboard.

Butthen,aweirdandfamiliarfeelingcomesoveryou.

Whatisit?TurntoPAGE72.

Yourproblemisthatyou’rehungry.TheplaneridetoFiskevillewasalongone.Allyouhadtoeatwasanairlinesnackofpeanutsanda

soda.Andnowyourealizethatyou’restarving.Yourstomachisgrowlingsoloudlyyou’realmostafraidBarneyandDorawillhearit.Youglancearoundthebasementagain.Maybetherearesomecansoffood.Butno.Theonlyshelvescontainoldcarpenter’stools.Theonlycabinetsarefulloftornanddirty

sheetsandtowels.Youreallydon’twanttogobackupstairs.Notyet.NotwithBarneytheBullyandDrippyDora

waitingforyou.Whatabouttheoldrefrigerator?Youseethatit’spluggedin.Maybethere’ssomethingtoeatinside.Tryingnottogetyourhopesuptoohigh,youapproachtherefrigerator.Thedoorseemsstuck.But

youpullhardanditpopsopen.Youspottwocontainerswayintheback.Youbenddowntoinspectthem.Andgasp!

TurntoPAGE29.

Youpeerupthestairs.Thebasementdoorleadingtothekitchenissosmall.Willyoubeabletofitthroughit?

Youstartupthestairs,hopingtomakeittothetopbeforeyouaretoobigtogetthroughthedoor.SMASH!Yourfootcrashesthroughthebottomstep.They’rejustoldandrickety,youtellyourself.

Youliftupyourotherfootandplaceitonthenextstep.CRASH!Thestairswon’twork.Youglancearoundthebasement.You’vegottogetoutbeforeyou’retrapped

inside.Youhavetomovefast—you’restillgrowing!Younoticeawindow.Itwillbeatightsqueeze,butit’syouronlyhope.Youpullopenthewindow.

You’resobignowyouaccidentallyripitoutofitsframe.Piecesofwoodandglassflyeverywhere.Youstarttoclimbthrough.

Youdon’treallyfit.Butyou’realreadyhalfwayout.Yourefusetogiveupnow.Youcanhearthehouserippingandtearingasyoupushyourwaythrough.Brokenpipesspurtwater.Tornwoodscrapesyourskin.

Atlast,youfallontothelawn.Youglanceuptoseeahugeholeinthewallwherethebasementwindowusedtobe.

Andthenyouhearapiercingscream.

TurntoPAGE90.

Atthissize,youwouldn’tbesurprisedifyoucouldliftanelephant.You’llgiveitatry.Youbowtothecheeringcrowd.Theelephantbowsalso.“TheAmazingStrongo!”theringmastercries.“Thestrongesthumanbeingintheworldwillnow

attempttoliftDodotheelephant!”Youapproachtheelephant.Youstudyherfromallsides.Finally,youdecidethebesttechnique

wouldbetobendyourkneesandwrapyourarmsaroundherlengthwise.Theelephantdrapeshertrunkaroundyourneckandticklesyourear.“Cutthatout,”youwhisper.“Nowholdstill.”

Theelephantholdsstill.Youbegintolift.Theelephantisheavy—reallyheavy.YoumanagetoliftDodoafootofftheground.

Thecrowdischeeringyouon.Theelephantgruntshappily.Thensuddenlysomeoneintheaudienceshouts,“Alien!Alien!It’sthealien!”

GoontoPAGE91.

Cautiously,youstickafingertipintothepurplegoop.Itfeelssoftandgooey,likepeanutbutter.Youstickoutyourtongueandtakeateenytinytaste.Awesomeflavor!It’spurpleandit’sslimy,butthisweirdpeanut-butterygootasteslikea

combinationofeverydeliciousdessertyou’veeverhadinyourlife.Youlicktherestofthepurplegoopoffyourfinger,thenyoustickyourfingerbackinthejar.You

can’tbelievehowyummyittastes.Youwishthewholejarwerefullofthepurplepaste.Unfortunately,therewasn’tverymuch,andsoonthejarisempty.Butyou’renothungryanymore.Infact,youfeelgreat!Youshuttherefrigeratordoorandflopbackdownonthearmchair.Amomentlateryouhearaloudthumpatthetopofthestairs.Youglanceup.Yourheartsinkswhen

youseewhat’sthere.

HurrytoPAGE94.

Theporchhasgottenenormous.It’sgigantic—asbigasanairplanehangar.Ormaybeit’sthesamesize.Maybeyou’veshrunkevenmore.Yourheartthundersinfrightasyou

realizeyoumightkeepshrinkingtillthere’snothingleftofyou.Athickforestofgrassliesbetweenyouandtheporchsteps.Youglanceupatatoweringyellow

tree,andrealizeit’snotatreeatall—it’sadandelion!You’reassmallasabug!Yourhandstremble,andsweatpoursdownyourface.Youfeelyourselfbeginningtopanic.Youtake

adeepbreath.Thenyousitonaleafandforceyourselftothinkcalmly.Youstillneedtofindtherefrigerator.Youhavetogetanotherlookatthatjarofpurplepeanutbutter.

That’stheonlywayyoucanthinkoftofigureouthowtostopshrinking.Andgetbacktoyournormalsize.Eventhoughyou’resotiny,you’renotaquitter.Findingtherefrigeratorwilljustbealittlemore

difficult,that’sall.Feelingbetter,youstandupandpreparetomakethelongtrektothehouse.Andthenyouhearaloud

hissingsound.Youglanceuptoseeapairofgiganticyelloweyesstaringstraightatyou.

TurntoPAGE110.

Youracetowardthescreendoor.Itseemsmilesaway.Pufflandsontheporch,thentakesoffafteryou.Aheadofyou,thedoorswingsshut…thenopensagain.Thewindismakingitswing.You’realmostthere…justafewmoreinches——aheavypawcrashesdownonyourback.Oh,no!YoufeelPuff’shotbreathonyourneck.Interroryouglanceuptoseehersharpteethapproaching

yourface.Andthen,suddenly,sheliftsherpaw.She’slettingyougo!Youscrambletoyourfeetandruntowardthedooragain.You’reonlyaboutsixinchesfromitwhen

SMACK!Puffpinsyouagainwithherpaw.Nowyourememberthatshealwaysplayswithherpreybeforeshekillsit.Youronlychanceisto

reachthedoorthenexttimesheletsyougo.Butcanyoumakeit?Itdependsonwhetherthisisyourluckyday.

IstodayMonday,Wednesday,Thursday,orFriday?Ifso,turntoPAGE124.OrisitTuesday,Saturday,orSunday?TurntoPAGE31.

Youfeelstrangerandstranger.“Speak,alien!”Dr.Harlancries.Butyourmouthwon’tmove.YouglancedownatDr.Harlanandwatchashebeginstogrow.Hegrowsbiggerandbigger,fasterandfaster.Thebakeryandtreesarealsoshootingup.Just

watchingthemmakesyouevendizzier.Allatonceyourealizethattheyarenotgrowing—instead,youareshrinking!You’refinally

returningtoyournormalsize!Whatevercausedyoutogrowiswearingoff!Inlessthanaminuteyou’restandingnexttoDr.Harlan’sredvan.Allaroundyoupeoplearerunning

andshouting.Youcanstillhearthesquealofsirens.Dr.Harlanisspeechless.Heseemsfrozeninshock.Tryingtoappearcasual,youstrollthroughthecrowd.“Hey,kid!”apolicemanwarns.“You’dbettergetoutofhere.There’samutantalienontheloose.”“Really?”youreplyinnocently.Thenyoushrug.“Somehowthatdoesn’tseemlikesuchabigdeal.”

THEEND

Whileyoustirthemixture,Effyaddsatiny,tinypinchofshrinkpowder.ThenyouclosetheDumpster’slidandbuildafirearoundit.

Youwaitwhilethecakecooks.Itsmellsawful,butyoudon’tcare—you’lleatanythingifit’llmakeyousmallagain!

Atlastthefirediesdown.WhentheDumpsteriscool,youliftthelidandpeekinside.Thecakeisgreenandlumpy.Itsmellslikegarbagemixedwithtoomuchcinnamon.

Youcan’twaittotasteit.Youopenyourmouthwideandtakeabigbite.Ittastesevenworsethanitsmells.Yourmouthfeels

asifit’sfullofslime!Butyouchewitandswallow.Thenyouwait.Nothinghappens.“Eatsomemore,”Effysuggests.“Ittastestoogross,”youcomplain.Effyholdsuptwobeakersofliquid—onepurpleandoneblue.“Maybeoneofthesewillhelp.A

kidIknownamedKermitgavethesetome.Kermit’sareallysmartscientist.”Youstareatthebeakersandsuddenlyremembersomething.TherewasakidnamedKermitina

GOOSEBUMPSbookyouonceread—MonsterBloodIII.Andheinventedaliquidthatmadethingsshrink.Butwhatcolorwastheliquid?

Choosetheblueliquid,turntoPAGE67.Pickthepurpleliquid,turntoPAGE28.

NowayareyougoingtoplaywithbrattyDoraandherdumbdolls.Youcrossyourarmsoveryourchestandglareatyourcousin.

“Goaheadandtell,”youtaunt,“Idon’tcare.”“You’regoingtobesorry!”Dorasneersatyou.Thenshedisappears.Youcanhearhercalling

Barney.Oh,great,youthink.I’mgoingtogetpounded.Youcanhearfootstepsapproaching.Youreyesdartaroundforaplacetohide.Youflingopenthe

refrigeratorandclimbinside.Thedoorswingsshutbehindyou.“Noone’sdownhere,”Barneygrowls.“But,Barney,Itellyou—”Fromyourcrampedhidingplace,youcantellDoraisbewildered.You

hearthemclamberbackupstairs.Fooledyou!yougloat.Butthejoke’sonyou.Whenyoutrytoopenthedoor,itwon’tbudge!Youthrowallofyourweight

againstit.Nothing!Yourealizeyouarestuckinsidetherefrigerator.Andyouarerunningoutofair.Frantically,youpoundandshout.Noonehearsyou.ItwillbehoursbeforeUncleHarveyandAunt

Fionacomehomefromwork.BarneyandDoraareprobablyplayingoutside.AsyougaspyourfinalbreathyourealizethatevenplayingwithDorawouldhavebeenbetterthan

thisterrible

END

“Whycan’twegointhebasement?”youask.“Wehaven’tcleaneditoutsincewemovedin,”AuntFionatellsyou.“Thepeoplewhoownedthe

housebeforeuswereverystrange.Wedon’tknowwhat’sdownthere.Itcouldbedangerous.”“Let’sgetstarted!”Barneycommandswhenhisparentshavegoneinside.“Yourememberthehide-

and-seekrules?”“Iremember.”Yousigh.Whocouldforget?“WhoeverisItgetstopoundanyonehecatches,”Barneyremindsyou.“Fine,”yousay.“I’llgofirst.”“Sorry,”Barneyreplies.“It’smyhouse.I’llbeIttostart.NowgohidewhileIcounttoahundred.”

Helaughsashewaveshisfistinyourface.Thenheshutshiseyes.

Gulp.GoontoPAGE108.

You’vedecidedtotrytofindtherefrigerator.Youneedtogetthatjar.Theremaybealabelonitthatcantellyouwhattodo!Oratleastwhatthepurplepeanutbutteris.

Youracetothefrontdoor.Youcometoasuddenstop,slappingyourhandtoyourforehead.Youforgot—youdon’tknowwherethedumpis.Orhowtogetthere.

Great.YouronlyhopeisBarney.You’llbenice,youdecide.Polite.You’llevenbeg.YousearchthehouseforBarney.Youfindhimin

theden,lyingonthefloorwatchingTV.“Hi,Barney,”yousaysweetly.“Mmmf,”hegrunts.Hedoesn’tevenglanceatyou.“Barney—”“Keepitdown,willyou?”hegrowls.He’swatchingKingKong.Probablyidentifyingwiththeape,

youfigure.“Barney,please,”yourepeat.“Ineedto—”“Wouldyoushutup?”Barneysnaps.Hiseyesarestillgluedtothescreen.Thoseweirdpinkdotsaredancinginfrontofyoureyesagain.Assoonasthetinglinginyourtoes

andfingersstops,yourealizeyou’veshrunkafewmoreinches.Nowyourheadislevelwiththearmofthecouch!Whenistheshrinkinggoingtoend?Areyougoingtoshrinkdowntonothing?

TurntoPAGE81.

Youhaveanevennumberoflettersinyourfirstname.Youcontinuetoduelwiththemouse,thrustingyourpinatit.Youduckwhilethemousetriestoclawandbiteyou.

Themousepausesforbreath.It’sjustthebreakyouneed.Youjabatthemouse,scratchingitontheforearm.

Withasqueakofpain,itturnstoyouagain.It’sreallymadthistime.Itopensitsmouthwideandsnapsatyou.

Yourushtotheothersideofthecupboard,butthemousefollows.Youronlyhopeistotrytoescapethroughthemousehole.

Youdiveforthehole.Themouseisrightbehindyou.Youfeelyourheadgothrough.Youseegreengrassbeyond—andfreedom!Nowyourshoulderssqueezethroughthehole—butthenyoubecomestuck.Youcan’tgoanyfartherforward.Youtrytowrigglebackout,butit’snouse.

Themouseisrightbehindyou.Youcanfeelitshotbreathonyourlegs.Ifonlyyoucouldshrink,justalittlemore!Unfortunately,therewon’tbetime.Toobad—lookslikeyoulostthisdueltothemouse.Ifyoucan’tsmileaboutit,trysaying“cheese.”

THEEND

YouglareacrosstheballfieldatBarney.Youaren’tgoingtolethimkeepyoufromjoiningthegame.You’reinluck—youwon’thavetofighthim.“Waitaminute,Barney,”saysachubbykidwithblondhair.“Thisnewkidisn’tashrimp.Comeon,”

hetellsyou.“Youcanbeonourteam.”YoustickyourtongueoutatBarneyandjointheotherteam.Youjusthopetheydon’thateyouwhentheydiscovertheterribletruth.

You’rethestrike-outchamp.“Comeon,kid,”thechubbyboysays.“You’reup.”You’llgiveityourbestshot.Youtakethebatandstepuptotheplate.Yougazeatthepitcher,a

mean-lookingred-hairedgirl.Yougripthebattightlyandwaitforthepitch.“Strikeone!”criestheumpire.Youcan’tstrikeout,youthink.NotwithBarney’sbeadyeyestrainedonyou.Youconcentrateon

yournextswing.Thepitcherzoomsafastballatyou.

SwingthebatonPAGE135.

Yourbig,mean,obnoxiouscousinisloomingoveryou.“Foundyou!”Barneyexclaims.“NowIgettopoundyou!”Youleaptoyourfeet,butit’stoolate.BarneygrabsyoubyyourT-shirt.“Letmego!”youshout,butit’snouse.Barneyhasalwaysbeenthemeanestbullyyou’veever

known.Foryearsyou’vedreamedofbeingabletobeathimup.“What’sthematter,wimp?”Barneytaunts.“Afraidofme?”“No!”youexclaim.Youwishyoumeantit.Barneypunchesyouintheshoulder.Youknowitwillmakethingsworse,butyoupunchback.To

yoursurprise,BarneyletsgoofyourT-shirt.Hestumblesbackwardafewsteps.“Ow!”hecries.“Ididn’tknowyoucouldhitthathard!”Neitherdidyou!Thiscouldcomeinhandy.YougiveBarneyakaratechopinthearm.“Stopit!”hecries.Hestartstorun.Youcan’tbelieveit!Barneyisrunningawayfromyou!Maybethisvisitwillbedifferent,youthink.Youfigureit’ssafetogobacktothehouse.Barneyprobablywon’tbugyouanymore.Youtaketwo

stepsandyouhearaweirdrippingsound.Thenyoutripandfallover!Whathappened?

TurntoPAGE80.

Yougrabthebeakerofpurpleliquidandpouritonthecake.Theliquidquicklyseepsthroughthecake,turningitaweirdlavendercolor.Youtakeabigbite.

Thenyouwait.Andwait.Andwait.Suddenly,yourteethstarttochatter.Yourkneesbegintoknock.Yourbodyswaysbackandforth.It’sworking!youthink.It’sfinallyworking.Yourteethchatterfasterandfaster.You’reafraidyourfillingswillfallout.Thenyourbodyquietsdown.Youglancearound.You’vereturnedtonormalsizeagain!“Hey,Effy!”youcry.“Lookatme!”YoutrytorunovertoEffy.Butyoucan’t.Youcan’tbendyourarms.Oryourlegs.What’sgoingon?

Yourneckisincrediblystiff,too.“Oh,dear,”Effysays.“Iguessthepurpleliquidwasthewrongone.You’vebeenturnedintoa

gingerbreadman.”“What?”youcry,suddenlynoticingyourcolorfulicingclothes.“Don’tworry,”Effysays.Sheleadsyouinsidethebakery.“Gingerbreadcookiesarebigsellersthis

year.I’llputyoufrontandcenterinthedisplay.I’msureI’llfindanewhomeforyoubeforeyougettoostale!”

THEEND

Somethingintherefrigeratorsmellsgreat!Itsmellssogood,yourmouthstartswatering.Youwerehungrybefore,butnowyou’reravenous.Whateverisgivingoffthesmellmustbethebest-tastingfoodintheworld!Youpulloutthetwocontainersandexaminethem.Oneisasmalljar.Atthebottomofthejarisa

glopofdisgusting-lookingpurplegoop.TheothercontainerisawhitebakeryboxwithalabelthatsaysEFFY’SBAKERY,MIDVALEinfancywriting.

Insidetheboxisathickslabofchocolatecake.Youleandownandsniff.Toyoursurprise,thedeliciousaromaiscomingfromthepurplegoop.It

smellslikeacombinationofthebestpeanutbutterandjellyintheworld,withchocolateontop.Thecakedoesn’thaveanysmellatall.Yourstomachgrowlsagain.Whichwillyoueat?Thewonderful-smellingpurplegooporthechocolatecake?

Ifyoutastethepurplegoop,turntoPAGE17.Ifyoutrythecake,goontoPAGE111.

Youwereborninoneofthefirstsixmonthsoftheyear.Youjumpashardasyoucanontobuttonnumbersix.

Foramomentnothinghappens.Thenthelaserbeginstobuzz.Youturnandstareasthemachineglowsgreen,thenwhite,thenyellow.Yousuddenlyfeelverysleepy.Sosleepythatyouhavetotakeanap.

Whenyouawaken,youfindyourselfcurleduponthelabtable,wearingawhitelabcoat.Youstretchandyawn.Youfeelstrange.Youfeelbig.Youstandupandnoticethatyou’remuchtallerthanyou’veeverbeen.Yourushtothewindowandgazeintotheglass.

Dr.Abbott’sfacegazesbackatyou.Youglanceatyourhands.They’rehairyadulthands.Nowyouglancearoundthelab.Withshock,youseeakidsleepingonachair.Thekid’seyesslowly

open.There’ssomethingveryfamiliaraboutthiskid….Thekidisyou!

TurntoPAGE132.

Puffliftsherpawagain.Youimmediatelywrigglefreeandrushtowardthedoor.Justasyoureachthedoor,thewindblowsitopenevenwider.Oh,no!Puffwillbeabletofollowyouinside!Butyouhavenochoice.Youscootthroughtheopening.Puffisrightafteryou—butthewindshiftsjustintime.Thedoorslamsshutinthecat’sface.“MEOOOWWWR!”sheprotests.Sheglaresatyouthroughthescreen.Shehissesinanger.“Toobad,kitty,”youtellher.“Betterlucknexttime.”Butit’snotoveryet.Youstillhavetofigureouthowtogetbacktonormal!

TurntoPAGE58.

Asfastasyoucanrun,youheadforMidvale.Thepolicecarsspeedafteryou.Toyourleftisthehighway.Toyourrightistheriver.

Yougetanidea.Youstoprunningandstepovertheriver.Thepolicecarsallcometoscreechingstops.Withsquealingtires,theymakesharpturnsandspeedbacktowardthenearestbridge.Yousmiletoyourself.Youhaveplentyoftimenow.

SoonyouapproachMidvale.Quickly,youscanthebusinessdistrict.Thereitis—Effy’sBakery,asmall,graywoodenbuilding.

TheresidentsofMidvalescreamandrunwhentheyseeyou.Youdon’tcare.AllyoucareaboutisfindingEffy.Asyouapproach,delicioussmellspouroutofthetinybuilding.

Usingyourlittlefinger,yougentlytaponthedoor.Aplump,gray-hairedladycomestothedoor.Youexpecthertoscream,butshedoesn’t.Hertiny

headtipsbackwardashereyestravelup,up,up,tomeetyours.“MayIhelpyou?”sheasks.“Ihopeso,”youreply.Youexplainyourproblem.“Ithinkyourcakecausedit,”youfinish.“Sothat’swhathappenedtothechocolatecake,”shesays.

GoontoPAGE62.

You’vedecidedtotrythenewreducingmachine.Arnoldleadsyoutoaroomfullofequipment.Hetakesyoutothelargestmachine.

“ThisistheSuper-Duper-Reducer,”hesays.Themachineissobigitnearlytouchestheceiling.Ithasleversandstrapsandweights.Thereisa

benchwithpaddingandaseatbelt.Itlookslikesomekindoftorturedevicefromanoldhorrormovie.Maybethiswasn’tsuchagoodidea.

Butbeforeyoucanchangeyourmind,Arnoldpushesyouontothebench.Youlieonyourback,lookingupintothetwistedmetalofthedevice.

Arnoldplacesyourheadinabigsteelhelmet.Youcan’tseeanything.Onlyyourmouthisexposedsoyoucanbreathe.Heputsstrapsaroundyourhead,yourwrists,andyourankles.Thenheturnsthemachineon.

Withaloudwhirringsound,themachinebeginstoshake.Thestrapspullyourarmsbackandforth,makingthemflaplikewings.Somekindofpulleysystemyanksyourlegsupanddown,makingyoukicklikeyouwouldifyouwereswimming.Atthesametime,thehelmetmakesyourheadvibrate.

Afterseveralminutesthewhirringstops.Yourlegsandarmsstopmoving.Arnoldremovesthehelmetandunstrapsyou.

Diditwork?Areyousmaller?

FliptoPAGE96!

Youracedowntothebasementandopentherefrigerator.Theemptycakeboxisstillsittingnexttothejarofpurplegoop.Youexaminethecakeboxbutthereisnolistofingredients,justthenameofthebakery.Frustrated,youshovetheboxbackontotheshelf.Thepurple-peanut-butterjarrattles.

Thenyouhaveacrazythought.Ifthecakemadeyougrow,couldthepeanutbuttermakeyoushrink?ItworkedforAliceinAliceinWonderland.Somefoodmadeherbig,somefoodmadehersmall.

Youmightaswelltry.Yougrabthejarandtakeabigspoonfulofthestuffandswallowit.IttastesAWFUL!It’slikeacombinationofbrusselssproutsandliver.Youforceyourselftoswallowallthegoopinthejar.Willyoushrink?

Youfeelanoddtinglingsensationalloveryourbody.It’sworking!youthink.I’mgettingsmaller!Butthensomethingbumpsyourhead.Youglanceuptoseetheceiling—aninchfromyournose.

What’sgoingon?Therefrigeratorisfarbelowyou.Allthefurniturelooksasifitbelongsinadollhouse.Somehow,

you’vegrownanothertwofeet!Thepurplegoopdidn’tmakeyoushrinkafterall!Instead,itmadeyougrowevenfaster!You’resobignowyoumightnotevenbeabletogetoutofthebasement!

Quick!TurntoPAGE15.

Youfigureit’stooearlyinyourvisittogetintotrouble.“Allright,allright.Where’sthedollhouse?”youaskDora.“Outontheporch,”yourcousinanswers.“Followme.”YoustarttofollowDoraupthestairswhen,suddenly,youhavetostop!Thestrangestsensationcomesoveryou.Yourtoesandfingerstingleandlittlepinkdotsswimbefore

youreyes.“Comeon!”Dorawhinesfromthetopofthestairs.“Yousaidyou’dplay.”Youshakeyourheadandeverythingisbacktonormalagain.Thatwasweird,youthink.Maybeyou

juststooduptoofast.Dorastampsherfootimpatiently.“DoIhavetosicBarneyonyou?”shewarns.“I’mcoming!I’mcoming!”Youboundupthestairs.Youfeelalittletired.Thosestairsmustbe

steeperthantheylook.YoufollowDoraouttotheporchandsitbesideherinfrontofthedollhouse.Youhavetoadmit,the

dollhouseisprettycool.It’sthreestorieshighandfilledwithminiaturefurniture.There’sevenatinypianoandalittleguitar.

Youreachintothedollhousetomoveachair.Asyoudo,younoticeDora’seyesopenwideinsurprise.

TurntoPAGE102.

It’sDr.Abbott!AteenytinyDr.Abbott!“Lookwhat’shappened!”Dr.Abbottcallsfromthefloor.“Iusedthewrongsettings.NowI’msmall,

too!”Great,youthink.Whatnow?“Don’tworry,”Dr.Abbottassuresyou.“I’llbeabletoreturnusbothtonormalsize.Wehaveto

reversethesettingsonthelasergun.Butweneedtheremote.Where’stheremote?”Youscanthelaboratoryfortheremote.“Iseeit!”youcry.“It’sontopofaglassbeakeronthenext

labtableover.”“Itmusthavebeenthrownoutofmyhandwhentheroomstartedshaking,”Dr.Abbotttellsyou.“It

willtakebothofustochangethesettings.”“Buthowcanwereachit?”youask.“I’llclimbupthetableleg,”Dr.Abbottsays.“Doyouthinkyoucanjumptothenexttable?”Thetablesareonlyafootapart.Buttwelveinchesisabigdistancetosomeoneastinyasyou.You

approachtheedgeofthetableandglancedown.Thefloorisalongwaydown.Ifyoufall,you’llprobablybreakeveryboneinyourbody.

Maybe,insteadofjumping,youshouldclimbdowntothefloorandthenuptheothertableleg.Whatdoyouthink?

Ifyoudecidetotaketheleap,turntoPAGE57.Ifyouthinkyoushouldclimbdown,turntoPAGE115.

Yousteertowardthequietpond.Thewaterseemsthickeranddirtierhere.YourPopsicle-stickboatmovesslowerandslower.

Youapproachthelargebrowninsects.Andnowyouseethemupclose.They’reslimy,hugewaterbugs!Theyhavelong,wavingantennaeandfierce-lookingjaws.They’re

aboutfourtimesbiggerthanyou.Evenifyouwereyournormalsize,thesebugswouldbehuge!“EEEEEWWWWW!”youcry.Youcan’thelpit.You’vealwaysfoundwaterbugsdisgusting.And

nowheretheyareallaroundyou.It’syourworstnightmare.Thebigbrownbugsclimbupthewallsandontheceilingofthesewer.Theyswiminthewater

alongsideyou.Theymakehideousclackingnoises.They’reeverywhere.Nowoneofthebugsswimsclosertoyou.Itslong,slimyantennaereachouttowardthePopsicle

stick.Itsdisgusting,hairylegspaddlethroughthewater.Thebug’sbeadyblackeyesfocusonyou.Andnowit’s—oh,no!It’stryingtoclimbuponthe

Popsiclesticknexttoyou!GROSS!

TurntoPAGE3—ifyoucanstandit!

Youquicklyduckinsidethebigtop.It’sincrediblynoisy.Youhearclapping,laughing,andtheroarsofwildanimalsinthering.Eventhoughyou’regigantic,noonenoticesyouatfirst.They’retoobusywatchingthecircus.

Inthecenterring,amandressedinwhiteissurroundedbyfivetigers.Thetigerssitoncolorfulstands.Themanismakingthemdotricks.Whileyouwatch,atigerjumpsthroughaflaminghoop.

Thecrowdapplauds.Themaninwhitemakesthetigerbow.Butthen,insteadofreturningtoitsstand,thetigerrushesoutofthering.

Anditisrunningstraighttowardyou!

Quick!HurrytoPAGE87.

Youneedhelpandyouneeditnow!Youdashtothephysicsbuilding.Youscrambleupthesinglestepjustassomeoneopensthedoor.

Quickly,youscamperinside.Youstopamomenttocatchyourbreath.Beingtinysureistiring!Youscurryalongalonghallwaysearchingforsomeonewhocanhelpyou.Menandwomencome

andgoallaroundyou.Buttheydon’tlookdownattheirfeet,sotheydon’tseeyou.“Help!”youcry.“Cansomeonehelpme?”Awomanhearsyouandglancesdown.“AAAK!”shecries.“Amouse!”“Where?”yousqueak,glancingaround.Andthenyourealizethatshemeansyou.You’resolittleshe

thinksyou’reamouse!“Killit!”thewomanshouts.“Someonefindthejanitor!”You’dbettergetoutofthehall—quick!Twodoorsarestandingopen.Theoneatthefarendofthe

hallislabeledDR.ABBOTT’SLAB.Canyoumakeittherebeforethejanitorcomes?Maybeyou’dbetterentertheunlabeleddoorrightnexttowhereyou’restanding.

Duckthroughthedoorthat’sclosestonPAGE8.OrtryforDr.Abbott’slabonPAGE109.

Youjustaren’tstrongenoughtolifttheelephant.Youstruggleandstrainandhuffandpuff,butit’snouse.Theaudienceboosandtheclownsthrow

waterballoonsatyou.Eventheelephantlooksdisgusted.Youarechasedoutoftheringbyabunchofclownsdrivingatinycarandthrowingconfetti.

Butdon’tbetooupset.Youstillwindupworkingwithyournewfriend,theelephant.Infact,youareputinchargeofoneof

themostimportantjobsatthecircus.Youareresponsibleforkeepingthecircusenvironmentclean.That’sright!Youandyourshovelhavecometothetailendofthistale.Nooneeversaidallofshowbusinesswasglamorous.Andyou’vemadeitintotheBigTimeinthe

BigTop!So,youarenowspendingalotoftimeattheelephant’s

BACKEND

You’resobignowyoutakegiantsteps.Itdoesn’ttakeyoulongtooutdistancethepolicecarsandhelicopters.

Butyou’remuchtoobigtohideanywhere.You’regoingtohavetofindhelp.Butwhere?Thepolicethinkyou’reamutantalien.Yourrelativesareafraidofyou.Whocould

possiblyhelpyou?Youthinkbacktowhenyourtroublesstarted.Ifonlyyouhadn’teatenthatpieceofchocolatecake.

Thatmusthavebeenwhatcausedyoutogrow.Youcan’tthinkofanyotheranswer.Youhavetofindthepersonwhomadethecake.It’stheonlysolution.Butwhomadethecake?Youcloseyoureyes,tryingtorememberthenameonthecakebox.WasitEffy’sBakery,Midvale?

OrwasitMaddy’sBakery,Elmville?Ifyouremember,youknowexactlywheretogo.Ifnot,you’llhavetoguess.

HeadforEffy’sBakeryonPAGE32.OrsearchforMaddy’sBakeryonPAGE74.

“Isurrender!”yousaytoDr.Harlan.Butyou’resobigthatyourvoicesoundsliketherumblingofthunder.Noonecanunderstandyou.“Surrenderorwe’llcaptureyou!”Dr.Harlanrepeats.“One—”“Isurrender!”yourepeat.“Two!”Howcanyoumakehimunderstandthatyou’regivingup?Indesperation,youraiseyourhandshigh

intheair.Unfortunately,ahelicopterwasbuzzingaboveyouatjustthatmoment.Yourhandbrushesagainstit,

andthesmallchopperfallstotheground.“It’sattacking!”thescientistscreams.“Wait!”youcry.“Itwasanaccident!”Yourvoiceissoloudthatthewindowsinallthepolicecars

shatter.“Hittheground!”Dr.Harlanducksunderthevan.“It’safterusall!”“No!”youcry.Yougetdownonyourkneesandtrywhispering.“Youdon’tunderstand!”yousay.

Thebreathfromyourwhisperblowsoveratank.“GotoPlanB!”Dr.Harlancries.What’sPlanB?youwonder.

FindoutonPAGE75.

Nothing.Youlieonyourstomachandpeekyourheadintotheopeningofthecan.Youcan’tbelieveyoureyes.Thecanisempty!NoMonsterBlood!Nomiraclesubstance.Nonothing!Thecanquicklyfillswiththebrownslimywater.Youholdontightasthecanstartstogodown.

Down.Down.

Well,sailor,itlooksasifyou’vemadethewrongchoice.Youaresunk!

THEEND

Youtakeadeepbreathanddashforthedollhouse.Behindyou,Puffpouncesandlandsontheporch.Sheimmediatelyboundsafteryou.Youfeelherhotbreathonyourneckasyoupullopenthefrontdoortothedollhouse.Youthrow

yourselfinsideandslamthedoor.“MEOWWWWR!”Puffscreamsinfrustration.Youpeekthroughoneofthewindowstoseeherglaringatyou.Shetriestostickherpawinthrough

thewindow,butherpawistoobig.Youglancearound.It’saprettynicedollhouse,withcomfortablefurniture.ToobadtheminiatureTV

doesn’twork.Youexploretherestofthedollhouse,butit’sjustmoredollrooms.Adollfamilysitsinthekitchen.

Buttherefrigeratorisfake,andsoisthefood.Youflopdownontheblue-and-whitestripedsofaandglancethroughthewindow.Puffpacesback

andforthinfrontofthedollhouse.Sheknowsyou’reinside.Youdon’tdareleaveaslongasPuffisouttherewaitingforyou.Thenyouhearsomethingthatgivesyouhope.

TurntoPAGE117.

“SQUEAK!”themouserepeats.Thenitjumpsonyou.“Hey!”youcry.Youfindyourselfburiedundermousefur.Themouse’ssnoutisrightinyourface—

anditsbreathishotandsour.“Letmego!”youyell.Themousesqueaksagain,morequietly,andthenitlicksyourface.Isitgettingreadytoeatme?you

wonder.No,it’swashingyourface.Whenit’sdone,itbeginstowashtherestofyourbody.Thenitpicksyou

upinitswarm,moistmouth.Itsteethholdyoufirmly,butdon’thurtyou.Themousecarriesyoubackthroughthemouseholetoacrawlspacebeneaththehouse.Andnow

youseewhereit’sheaded:asoftgraynestmadeoutoffur,twigs,andgrass.Nestledinthenestarethreesmall,graybabymice.Eachbabymouseisaboutthesamesizeasyou.

“No!”youcry.Butthemousedoesn’tlisten.Itgivesyouanotherlick.Thenitdropsyouinthenest,nexttoitschildren.

Itseemsthatthemousehasdecidedtoadoptyou.Butcheerup—thingscouldbeworse.You’llbewarmhere,andyou’llhaveplentytoeat—aslong

asyoulikecheeseandbreadcrumbs.Thetoughestchallengewillbelearningtostayquietasamouse.

THEEND

Thewarmfeelingspreadsthroughyourwholebody.Yourmusclestingleandthegroundstartsshaking.Youhearalowrumblingsound.

Nowthetreebranchesbegintowhippastyourface.Youglanceuptoseethatthetreesareonceagainoveryourhead.Thegrowthformulahasfinally

wornoff!You’rebacktoyournormalsize!Unfortunately,yourhandsarestillgrippingBarney’sshoulders.Barney’smouthandeyesareopen

wide.Helooksasifhe’sinshock.Butassoonasyouletgo,heglaresatyou.Heisangrierandmeaner-lookingthanyou’veeverseenhim.

“YOU!”Barneyshouts.“Thealienwasjustshrimpystupidyou!”Youtakeababystepbackward.“Uh,Barney…”youbegin.Hedoesn’tletyoufinish.“Whatwasthataboutapromise,wimp?”hesnarls.“Uh…nothing,”youreply,startingtobackawayfaster.“How’sthisforapromise,cuz,”hesneers.“Ipromisetopoundyou!”You’regladtobesmallagain.Butyouwishtheformulahadlastedjustalittlebitlonger.Atleast

longenoughtohaveescapedfromBarney.Oh,well.ItlookslikeyourchancetogetevenwithBarneyhascometoan

END

Areyouserious?Areyoureallysowimpyyouwon’tgointothebasement?Justbecauseyourauntanduncletoldyoutostayoutofit?Justbecauseitmightbedangerous?Getreal!

ReturntoPAGE108tochooseagain.

Youwaitinterrorforthelizard’stonguetoscoopyouup.Butnothinghappens.Afteramoment,youcautiouslyopenyoureyes.Afewinchesaway,thelizard

iscalmlymunchingonwhatremainsofagrasshopper.Itwasn’tafteryouafterall!Youglancearoundatthisnewpartofthedump.Justbeyondthelizard,

leaningagainstalargeboulder,isabigwhiterefrigeratorwithnodoor.Itlooksjustliketheoneyouraunthadinthebasement!

Youraceovertotherefrigerator.Isthistherightone?Isthepurple-peanut-butterjarstillinside?You’remuchtoolittletoseewhat’sontheshelves.You’llhavetoclimbintofindout.Buthow?Yousearchthroughthegarbagesurroundingyouandfindanoldpieceofkitestring.Toyou,the

stringisasthickasarope.Itgivesyouanidea.Youdiscoverarustysafetypin.Youtiethestringtothesafetypin.

Thenyoutwirlthepinoveryourhead.Justliketherockclimbersuse,youthink.Whenthepinisspinningreallyfast,youthrowituptowardtherefrigeratorshelves.

Diditcatch?

FindoutonPAGE133.

Yougetanidea.Anexcellentidea.InAliceinWonderland,somefoodsAliceatemadehergrowbig,otherfoodsmadehersmall.Couldthepeanutbutterandthechocolatecakeworkthesameway?Maybethat’swhytheyweretogetherintherefrigeratorinthefirstplace!

Besides,you’vegotnothingtolose.Youlookinsidethebox.It’sempty,exceptforonechocolatecrumbandatinysmearoficing.You’renotverybig.Maybeitwillbeenough.Butwhichwillyoueat?Thecrumbortheicing?

TrythecrumbonPAGE97.OrtastetheicingonPAGE107.

Youruntothebathroom.Themirrorisevenhigherthanitwaslastnight.Youhavetostandonastooltopeerintoit.

It’strue.Youlookthesame,butyou’redefinitelysmaller.Gettingdressed,younoticethatnoneofyourcleanclothesfit.They’reallmuchtoobig—exceptthejeansandT-shirtyouworeyesterday.They’resmaller,too.Whatevermadeyoushrinkalsomadethemshrink.Butwhatwasit?

“Yesterday.Yesterday,”youmutter.Youpacearoundtheroomtryingtoremembereverythingyoudidinthelasttwenty-fourhours.You’resofreakedout,it’shardtoconcentrate.

“Okay,”yousaytoyourself,tryingtocalmdown.“I’vebeenonairplanesbefore,andI’venevershrunk.I’vehadmyaunt’scookingbefore,soit’snotwhatIatefordinner….”

Suddenly,yousnapyourfingers!You’vefigureditout!Thepurplepeanutbutter!You’veneverhadanythinglikethatbefore.Infact,

you’renotevensurewhatthatpurplegoopwas.Youbetterfindout—andfast!Youracedownstairsandstraighttothebasement.Butwhenyouyankopenthebasementdoor,your

heartstops!

GotoPAGE100.

YousprintoutofDr.Abbott’sreach.“Pleasedon’thurtme,”youbeg.“Ineedyourhelp.”“HowcanIhurtyou?”herepliesangrily.“Youdon’texist.”“Whatdoyoumean?”youdemand.“I’vebeenworkingtoohard,”Dr.Abbottmutters.“I’mstartingtoseethings.”Hesitsupandunties

hislaces,thenretieshisshoes.Herubshiseyes.“I’marealkid,”youinsist.“You’renotimaginingme.I’mreallyhere.”Heeyesyoususpiciously.Youtrytolookasrealaspossible.“Iknow!”youcry.“AskmyAunt

Fiona.Sheworksrighthereattheuniversity.”“Youhavereferences?”thescientistasksincredulously.“Please!Youhavetobelieveme.”Quickly,youexplainwhat’shappenedtoyou.“Ithinkitwasthe

purplepeanutbutterIate,”youfinish.“Butwhateveritwas,Ikeeponshrinking.Ifyoucan’thelpme,I’mafraidI’llgetsosmallI’lldisappear.”

Dr.Abbottstaresatyouinsilence.Then,suddenly,hismouthturnsupinabigsmile.“Kid,”hesays,“you’vecometotherightplace!”

TurntoPAGE86.

APopsiclestickfloatsrightuptoyou.Youclimbontoit.Atleastyoudon’thavetotreadwateranymore.Buthowwillyougetoutofthesewersystem?Younoticeatoothpickfloatingby.Youreachoutandgrabit.Usingitasanoar,youbegintopaddle

yourPopsicle-stickboatswiftlythroughthecurrent.Afterafewsmellyminutes,youhearsplashingahead.Thesplashingsoundgrowsintoaroar.You

glanceuptoseewhitewater.Thecurrentisrushingintoawaterfall!Offtoonesideisaswirlingpool.Itlookssaferthanthewaterfall.Butthepoolisswarmingwith

largebrowninsects.Whatadisgustingchoice!

Youmightaswellleaveittochance.Flipacointhreetimes.Ifitcomesupheadsortailsthreetimesinarow,steeryourPopsiclesticktoPAGE77.

Ifthecoincomesuptwoheadsandonetail,ortwotailsandonehead,moveontoPAGE37.

Youdecidetojustheadstraighthome.It’sbeenalongday.Youdon’tneedanythingelseexcitingtohappentoyou!

Onyourwayhome,youpassbyapayphone.CLANK!CHINK!CLINK!CLACK!Youfindyourselfcoveredincoins.Bythetimeyou’vereachedyouruncle’shouse,seventy-threedollarsinchangeisstuckalloveryour

body.Theextramoneycouldcomeinhandy,youthink.Ifanyoneaskswhereyougotit,you’llsayyoujust

foundsomeextrachangeinyourpockets…inyourshirt…inyoursocks…onyourelbow…onyourknees…

THEEND

It’sacircus!Therewillbepeopleofallsizesatthecircus,youfigure.Andthebigtopislargeenoughtocover

you,andthereareseveralsmallertentsbesides.You’resureyoucouldfitinsideanyoneofthem.Youleavethehighwayandstartrunningthroughafield.Youfrightenseveralhorsesandhalfaherd

ofcattle,butthenyousafelyreachthecircusgrounds.Butyouarestillbeinghunted.Thepolicecarsandhelicoptersaren’tfarbehind.Quick!Whichtentwillyouenter?

Thebigtop?TurntoPAGE38.OrenterthesideshowtentsonPAGE130.

Thelizardslithersoutoftherefrigerator.It’salreadyasbigasaGreatDane.Itstartstofollowyou.Terrified,youstarttorun.Butitstepsinfrontofyou.“Back!”youtellit.“Getback!”Yousearchfranticallyforsomethingtouseasaweapon.Justasyoureachouttograbarustycar

door,thelizardstretchesitsheadtowardyou.Itslongtonguedartsout.Butinsteadoftryingtochompyou,itlicksyourhand.Itwagsitslong,skinnytail.Itisn’tgoingtoeat

you.Itlikesyou!Thelizardfollowsyouallthewayhome.It’sveryfriendly.Youdiscoveritreallylikestoplay

“fetch.”Youcan’thelpnoticing,though,thateverytimeitcomesbackwiththestickyou’vethrown,ithasgrownalittlebigger.

Bythetimeyoureachyourauntanduncle’shouse,thelizardisthesizeofanelephant.“Hey,wimp!”Barneycallsfromtheporch.“Wherehaveyoubeen?”Suddenly,hiseyeswidenand

hismouthdropsopen.He’sjustnoticedyournewpetdinosaur.Thelizardhissesatyourcousin.Youpatitsscalyback.“Easy,boy,”yousaysoothingly.“Wha-what’sthat?”Barneystammers.Yousmileathimsweetly.“Barney,meetmynewbodyguard.”

THEEND

Yougazeatthetigers.Theygazebackatyou.Theylookjustlikeovergrownpussycats.Youreachdownandscratchoneofthetigersbehindtheears.Itarchesitsbackandrubsagainstyou,

purring.Theotherfourtigersjumpofftheplatformandrunuptoyou.Alltheywantistohavesomeonetreatthemnicely.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Tomboscreams.“You’reruiningmytigers!”Youignorehim.Yousitdownonthedirtfloor.Thetigersallcrawlintoyourlap.Youpetthem.They

lickyourhandsandface.Thecrowdlovesit.TheycheerevenlouderthantheydidforTombo.“Yousee,Tombo?”yousaycheerfully.“Youshouldbekindertoyourtigers.”You’rehavingagreattime.You’reevengoingtogetpaid.Whatalife!Infact,everythingispurr-fectuntilyourhandsandfeetstarttofeelwarm.Thefeelingmovesup

yourarmsandlegs.Soonyourwholebodyfeelsasifit’sonfire.What’sgoingon?youwonder.You’renotonfire—you’reshrinking!Whatatimetogrowsmallagain!Justwhenyouhavefivetigersonyourlap!

THEEND

HowcanImakethatjump?youwonder.Yougazearounddesperately.Andthenyouspotsomethingthatmighthelp.Apencil.It’stwiceastall

asyouare—justtherightsizeforavaultingpole.You’venevervaultedbefore.Butyou’veseenathletesdoitontelevision.Yougraspthepencil,

pointsideup.Thenyoutakeoffrunningtowardtheedgeofthetable.Pleaseletthiswork,youpray.Justbeforeyoureachtheedge,youjamtheeraserendofthepencil

downonthetable.Thenyouleap.Yousailthroughtheair.Youdon’tlookdown.Hooray!Youlandontheothertable!AmomentlaterDr.Abbottscramblesupbesideyou.“Theremote’soverthere,”youtellhim,pointing.Theremoteisbalancedacrossthetopofanopen

glassjar.Thetwoofyoumakeyourwayacrossthetable.Dr.Abbottisaverymessyworker.Thetableis

coveredwithjunk.Youhavetodetourarounddirtycoffeecups.Youscootaroundpilesofbooks.You’vealmostreachedthejarwhenyoutripoverabigpaperclip.

Atlastyoureachtheglassjar.Theremotesitsontopofit,waybeyondyourreach.Wasitallfornothing?

TurntoPAGE92.

Somehow,youhavetogettothedumpandfindtherefrigerator.It’syouronlyhope.Buthowwillyoudoit?Itwouldtakeyouweekstowalk.Andyoucan’tcallataxi—evenifyoucouldreachthephone,you’retoosmalltodial.

There’sonlyoneanswer.Somehowyoumustgethelpfromyourdear,disgustingcousins.Youheadforthelivingroom.DoraandBarneyaresprawledonthefloor,watchingtelevision.“Dora!Barney!”youyellasloudasyoucan.Butit’snouse.Yourvoiceistoofeebletobeheard.YouapproachDoraandtugonhershoe.Shedoesn’tevennotice.Sheyawnsandgetsup.“Thisis

boring,”sheannounces.You’restillholdingontohershoelacewhenshebeginswalking.Yougrabontightertokeepfromgettingsquashed.

Shestopsinthebathroom,andstandsinfrontofthemirror.Youglanceuptoseeherreachintothemedicinecabinet.Shepullsoutasmallbox.

Yougetanidea.

TurntoPAGE122.

Yourollyourselfintoaballandbraceforahardlanding.Butyou’resosmallnow,andsolight,thatyoufloatlikeafeather.

Thenextthingyouknow,you’restandinginadensejungleofgrass.Younoticedisgustingsmells—rottingfood,moldyfurniture,mildew,anddecay.Butyoudon’tcare.Somewhereoutthereistherefrigeratorwiththesolutiontoyourproblem.

Allyouhavetodoisfindit.Youbegintrudgingthroughthetall,tallgrass.Youreachthetopofahill.Ononesideofthehillisa

giganticpileoftwistedmetalforms.Theyappearinalldifferentcolors:blue,red,green,yellow.Manyofthemarecoveredwithrust.

Ontheothersideofthehillisathickjungleofvinesandweeds.Youcan’tseewhatmightbedumpedamongthem.

You’retryingtodecidewhichwaytogowhenyouhearastrange,loudnoise.ItsoundslikeaHISSSSS!

Youglancearound,thengaspinshock.Approachingyouthroughthegrassis…adinosaur!

RushtoPAGE128.

Youheadforthejungleofweeds.Thelizardrunsafteryou.It’shardtomovequicklythroughthethick,tallgrass,butyou’redesperate.Youpasspilesof

garbage,brokenappliances,rottingmoundsofblackooze.Youdetouraroundslimypoolsbubblingwiththescentofrottingfood.

Thenyourfeetslipoutfromunderyouonapileofslick,yellowmold.Youtumbledownaslope,unabletobreakyourfall.Youstoprollingatthebottomofthehill.Youglanceuptofindthelizardstaringdownatyou.Itopensitsmouthwide.Itsmouthissobigyouknowitcouldswallowyouinonebite.

Thenitflicksitstongueout,straighttowardyou.Youcloseyoureyes.Areyouabouttobelizardlunch?

FindoutonPAGE48.

Arnold’scouldbejustwhatyouneed.Youaregettingtoobig,andyourclothesdoseemtobeshrinking.Youaskthebusdriverfordirections.

Afewminuteslateryoufindyourselfinfrontofasleeklowbuilding.ARNOLD’SREDUCINGSPAisspelledoutinneon.

Hmmmm,youthink,notexactlywhatyouhadinmind.Butyoumightaswellgiveitashot.Especiallysinceyourealizethatyou’vegrownanothersixinchesonthewayover.

Youwonderwhyyoudon’tfeelanything—notingling,noaching,nodizziness—whenyougrow.Youhavenowayofknowingwhenit’shappening.Youhurrythroughtheglassdoors.Amuscularblondmanapproachesyou.“Hello,”hegreetsyou.“I’mArnold.Whatcanwedoforyou?”

“I’mgettingtoobig,”youexplain.“Canyouhelp?”Arnoldflexesamuscleandthenbeams.“Ofcoursewecanhelp,”hetellsyou.“AtArnold’swe

prideourselvesonreturningourcustomerstotheiroriginalsizes.Andweareofferingafreeone-daytrialmembership.”

Thissoundspromising.“Youmighttrythesteamroom.Manymembershavefoundithelpedthemloseweight,”Arnold

suggests.“Orournewreducingmachine.Wehaven’ttriedityet—youcouldbethefirst.”

TrythenewreducingmachineonPAGE33.OrgotothesteamroomonPAGE105.

“Whatdoyoumean?”youask.“ItwasaspecialcakeImadeforaclientwhowastooshort.Butanothercustomerpickeditupby

mistake.WhenIcalledher,Ifoundoutshehadmoved.”Nowyouknowhowthecakeendedupinyouruncle’sbasement.“Well,itworked,”youtellher

sadly.“Itworkedtoowell.”Effylooksyouupanddownandthennods.“Imusthaveputtoomuchgrowthspiceinit,”shetells

you.“Isthereanywayyoucanreverseit?Canyoubakeacakethatwillmakemesmallagain?”youask.Effythinks,frowning.“I’lltry,”sheagrees.“Butit’llhavetobeahugecake.You’llhavetohelp

me.”Gladly,youagreetohelp.First,EffyleadsyoutoahugeDumpsterbehindherbakery.“Here’s

whereIgetridofmymistakes,”shetellsyou.TheDumpsterisfullofmoldy,strange-shapedcakes.AfteryoucleanouttheDumpster,Effybringsfiftybagsofflourandspices.Youemptythemintothe

Dumpster.Sheclimbsonaladderandbreaksahundredeggsintotheflour.Thensheaddssevengallonsofwaterfromagardenhose.

“Andnow,”shesays,“fortheshrinkingpowder….”

TurntoPAGE21.

Withawhine,themagnetronstopsvibrating.Youtrytositup.Thenyounoticethatthegiganticmetaltubehasshrunk.

Suddenly,itfitssnuglyallaroundyourbody!“Congratulations,”Dr.Abbotttellsyou.“Itworked!”Nowyourealizethatthetubedidn’tshrink—yougrew!You’rebacktoyourregularsize!You’realsostuckinthetube.Dr.Abbottfiddleswithsomecontrolsonthemagnetron.Thetwosides

ofthetubepopapartsoyoucanclimbout.Butyounoticesomethingodd.“Myskinisstickingtothemetal,”youtellthescientist.Dr.Abbottfrowns.“Don’tworryaboutit,”hesays.“That’sjustasideeffectofthetreatment.”Youthankthescientistforhishelp.Dr.Abbottsmilesandwalksyoutothefrontofthephysics

building.“We’llbeintouch,”hetellsyou.“I’llneedtowritethisupforthescientificcommunity.”Asyou’reabouttostepoutside,hestopsyou.

“Mykeys!”heexclaims.“You’rewalkingoffwithmykeys.”Youglancedownandnoticearingofkeysplasteredtoyourjeans.Youpluckthemoffandhandthem

tohim.Strange,youthink.Butwhathappensnextisevenstranger.

GotoPAGE66.

Thegrowlingturnstoanastysnarl.Youfeelastingingonyourankle.Youglancedowntoseetheneighbor’sdog,arottweiler,attackingyou.You’resohugeit’slikebeingattackedbyacricket.

Youignorethedog.Youfindmorepiecesoftheroofandtrytoplacethemonthehouse.Therearestillpiecesmissing,butitdoesn’tlooksobadnow.Youdustyourhandsoffandstandup.

Butnowyouhearanewsoundbehindyou.Youturnaroundtoseedozensofpeopleapproaching.They’reholdinggolfclubs,kitchenknives,

brooms,andshovels.Theylookfrightenedbutdetermined.Notgood.“Hi,”yousay,tryingtosoundfriendly.“I’msorryIwreckedyourroof.It’salmostasgoodasnew

now.”Themanwhoseroofyoudamagedshakeshisfistatyou.Heholdsagarbage-canlidlikeashield.

“Thisisthealien!”heyellstotheothers,pointingatyou.“That’sthealienthatdestroyedmyhouse!”Theothersshriekandshaketheirweaponsatyou.“Getoutofhere,alien!”theyshout.“Getoutand

don’tcomeback!”Maybethat’snotsuchabadidea.You’renotsurewheretogo.Butyou’redefinitelynotwelcome

here.

EscapeonPAGE106.

ThenDora’ssmiletwistsintoahorriblegrimace.“Alien!”sheshrieks.“Themutantalien!”Thepeopleinthefrontrowsscream.Theyclimbover

theirseatstogetawayfromyou.“Dora,I’myourcousin!”youshout.Youtrytowriggleoutofthepowerfulgraspoftheelephant’s

trunk.ButDodo’sclutchingyoutootightly.“Howcouldyoubemycousin?”Doraissobbing.“No!No!You’reanalien!”ThecrowdfrightensDodotheelephant.Dododropsyou.Rightontopofacotton-candymachine.

Youarecoveredwiththestickypinkstuff.It’snouse.Noonewilllistentoyou.Youduckoutofthetentandtakeoffrunning.Icancovermoregroundthananyoneelse,youreassureyourself.I’llbefarawayfromthatangry

mobinnotime.Andthenyouhearthesirens.

GoontoPAGE121.

Youreachthebusstopjustasthebusforhomepullsup.Youtrytodropacoinintheslot,butitstickstoyourhand.Thebusdriverhastopullitawayfromyourskin.

Youhaveagrowingsuspicionthatyouknowwhatthesideeffectofthemagnetrontreatmentmightbe.Whenyoufindyourselfstucktothemetalseatatyourstop,you’resure.

Themagnetronrestoredyoutoyournormalsize,allright.Butitalsochangedyourmagneticfield.Somehow,it’sturnedyouintoahumanmagnet!

Metalisnowattractedtoyou.Asyoustrollhomefromthebusstop,metalobjectsjumpoffthesidewalkontoyourlegs.Parkingmetersandlamppostsbendinyourdirectionasyouwalkby.Theylookasiftheyarebowing.

Thisiskindofcool,youthink.Youturntofaceabent-overlamppost.“IamtheGreatMagnetron!”youannounceinagrandvoice.“RulerofallIsee!”

Youcouldhavesomefunwiththis.

Doyouheadstraighthome?ThenturntoPAGE53.Orifyouwanttoseewhatothermagneticpossibilitiesyouhave,gotoPAGE131.

Youbreakoffapieceofcakeanddunkitintheblueliquid.You’resureKermitusedblueliquidtomakethingsshrinkinMonsterBloodIII.

Youtakeabiteofthecake.Pleasework,youthink,please—Andthen,suddenly,youfeelasifyou’refalling.Yougaspandglancearound—youarefalling!You’vesuddenlybecomesmallagain—allatonce.Andyou’refalling,straighttowardtheopen

Dumpster.SQUOOOOOSH!Youlandrightinthemiddleofthesmelly,soft,slimy,disgustingcake.Butyoudon’tcare.Youclimb

outoftheDumpsterandthankEffy.“You’reverywelcome,”shereplies.Shehandsyouatowel.Whileyou’rewipingyourselfoff,she

ducksinsidethebakery.Shereturnswithabigboxofchocolatecupcakes.“Hereyouare,”shesays.“Atreattotakehometoyourauntanduncle.”

“Thankyou,”youreply.Youtaketheboxandstarthome.Butassoonasyou’reoutofsightyouthrowitaway.Youdidn’twanttohurtEffy’sfeelings—but

you’resickofchocolatecake!Thenexttimeyou’rehungry,youdecide,it’sbrusselssproutsandbroccoliforyou!

THEEND

Youwereborninthelasthalfoftheyear.Youleapontotheremote.Withallyourweight,youlandonbuttonsix.

ThelasergunexplodeswithaloudBANG!Piecesofglassandmetalrainalloverthelaboratory.Interror,youdiveunderamagazine.Whenpiecesofthelasergunstopfalling,youcrawlout.

You’restilltiny.Itdidn’twork.Dr.Abbottisupset.“Ican’tbelieveit!”hemutters.“Iwassurethoseweretherightsettings.”

You’vedecidedthatDr.Abbottisthestupidestscientistyou’veevermet.“Ihaveanotheridea,”hetellsyou.“I’msurethisonewillwork.”“Thanksanyway,”youtellhim.You’resureyou’llbesaferfindinghelpsomewhereelse.“Don’tleaveme,”thescientistbegs.Youclimbdownthetableleg.“I’llcomebackwhenI’mtherightsize,”youassurehim.“MaybeI’ll

beabletohelpyou.”Youhurryoutofthelab.Youoverhearastudenttellingsomeoneheraddress.Shewillbegoingright

pastyouruncle’shouse.Yousneakintoherbackpackandhitcharide.Youcan’tthinkofanythingelsetodobuttrytotrackdownthatjarofpurplepeanutbutter.

TurntoPAGE58.

NailedonthedoorofMaddy’sBakeryisabigsignthatsaysOUTOFBUSINESS.Sadly,youstandup.Maddy’swasyouronlyhope.Nowyounoticethatthenoisearoundyouhasgrownlouder.Muchlouder.Youglancearoundin

horror.Infrontofyouareadozenpolicecars.BehindyouarethreetanksandanarmoredpersonnelcarrierfromtheNationalGuard.Behindthemisabigredvanyou’veneverseenbefore.OnitssideispaintedALIENRESEARCH

INSTITUTE.Overheadsmallplanesandhelicoptersbuzz.YouhearaloudSQUAWK!andthenaloudspeakercomeson.“We’vegotyousurrounded,alien!”ahollowvoicecries.“I’mnotanalien!”youcry.“I’mahumankid!”Nowtheredvanopens.Askinnymanwiththickglassesstepsout.“I’mDr.HarlanfromtheAlien

ResearchInstitute,”heshoutsthroughamegaphone.“I’mheretotakeyoutoourmuseumforstudy.”“Idon’twanttobestudied!”youreply.“Toobad,”hesays.“You’llnevergetaway.Surrendernow—orwe’llbeforcedtocaptureyou!”

Willyougiveup?SurrenderonPAGE42.OrtrytogetawayonPAGE123.

Doraturnsherheadbackandforth,admiringherreflection.You’dhatetobetheonetotellherthatshelookslikeaclown.Youclimbintothemakeupboxandwait.Afteramomentshereachesforaneyepencil.Yougrabontothepencil.She’llhavetopayattentiontoyounow.

Shepicksupthepencil,thenstops.“AAACCCKKK!”shescreams.“Agigantic,uglybug!”Beforeyoucanprotestthatyou’renotabug,sheshakesyouoffthepencil.Youdropintothesink.“Dora!”youcry.Butit’stoolate.She’sturnedonthewater.Theice-coldwaterhitsyou.Likeawaterfall,itpushesyoudown.Youstruggleagainstit,tryingto

breathe.Youtrytoswim,butthecurrentistoostrong.Andthenyoubegintospin,fasterandfaster.Youfeelyourselfbeingpulleddown,down….Youopenyoureyesandseeahugesilvercircleapproaching.It’sthedrain.You’reabouttobesweptdownthedrain!

GotoPAGE85.

Youglancearoundquicklytomakesurenooneiswatching.Thenyoupushopenthebasementdoorandstartdown.

Thestairsareold.Theycreakwitheverystepyoutake.Cobwebsbrushyourface.Whatcouldbedownherethat’ssodangerous?youwonder.Youreachthebottomofthestairs.Thefloorissodustyitlooksasifithasn’tbeencleanedina

hundredyears.Feebledaylightfiltersthroughabig,filthywindowatthebackoftheroom.Youstarttoexplore.Butthere’snothingmuchtosee.Mostlyold,dusty,wornfurniture.Oldcouches,oldchairs,anold

mattress.Anoldrefrigeratorandstove,bothcoveredwithrust,sitinonecorner.Nothingdangerous.Nothingeveninteresting.Butbeingdownhereisbetterthangettingpoundedby

Barney.Yousitinoneoftheoldarmchairsandwait.SoonerorlaterBarneyandDorawillgettiredoftheir

game.Soonitwillbesafetogobackupstairs.There’sonlyoneproblem.Abigproblem.

TurntoPAGE14.

Thoseannoyingpinkdots!Thatcreepytinglinginyourfingersandtoes.You’restillshrinking.Nowwhenyoutrytoopenthecupboarddooryoufindit’smuchtooheavyforyou.You’renotsure

howsmallyou’vebecome,butthepotsandpansnowseemasbigascars.Whatcanyoudo?Ifyoudon’tleavethecupboardyou’llneverbeabletofindtherefrigeratorand

returntoyourtruesize.Atthisrate,youwillhaveshrunkdowntonothingbeforelunch!“Help!”yousqueak.“Help!”Evenifyouwereyournormalsize,yourealize,noonewouldbeabletohearyouwithalltheracket

comingfromtheTV.Luckily,it’snottotallydarkinthecupboard.Butwhynot?Youglancearound.Younoticesomething

youhadn’tseenbefore.Inthebackofthecupboardyouspotasmallhole.Palelightisstreaminginthroughit.

Maybeyoucanescapethroughthehole!Youcrawloverapileofpanlidstowardthehole.You’vealmostreacheditwhenyouheara

hideousscratchingsound.Amomentlaterahuge,furryheadbeginstopushthroughthehole.Yikes!Whatisit?

TurntoPAGE127.

You’vedecidedtotellthepolicewhathappened.Thepolicecarpullsup.Twoblue-uniformedofficersclimbout.“We’rehereaboutthebroken

window,”thetalleronesays.“Didanyofyoukidsseewhodidit?”Theotherkidslookdownattheground.Thered-hairedpitcherscuffsherfootinthedirt.“Ididit,”youannounce,steppingforward.“Butitwasanaccident.Itwasmyveryfirsthomerun.”

Theofficerstudiesyouforaminute.“Howoldareyou,kid?”sheasks.Youtellherandshelookssurprised.“You’reawfullybigforyourage,”shesays.“You’dbetterbe

careful.Youdon’tknowyourownstrength.”“I’llbecarefulfromnowon,officer,”youpromise.“We’llletyougothistime,”shesays,gettingintothecar.“Sinceitwasyourfirsthomer.”Shewinks

atyou.Whatarelief!Youwatchthepatrolcardriveoff.“Comebyandplaytomorrow,”thered-hairedpitchercallsafteryouasthegamebreaksup.Youreturntoyourrelatives’house,andyounoticesomethingverystrange.Theporchroofisatleast

twoinchesclosertoyourheadthanitwaswhenyouleft.Isthisreallyonlyagrowthspurt?youwonder.

GoontoPAGE95.

Yourunalongthehighwaymedian,headedforMaddy’sBakery.Oneitherside,youhearthecrashingofcarsasdriversgawkatyou.Atlastyouseeabiggreenhighwaysign:ELMVILLE,23MILES.

Twenty-threemilesisnoproblemforyou.Itshouldn’ttakemorethantenminuesorso.Withpoliceandarmycarsspeedingafteryou,youfollowthehighway.Atlastyouseeasignfor

Elmville.Bynowthehelicoptershavecaughtuptoyouagain.Youwaveyourarmsatthem,swattingthemawayasiftheyweremosquitoes.Ifonlytheywouldleaveyoualone!

Youturntowardthetown,andquicklyscanitstinybuildingstillatlastyoufindonethatsays“Maddy’sBakery.”

Maddy’sisatinybrickbuildingwithabrownshingledroof.Youkneelintheparkinglot,andbendyourheadsoyoucanseethebakerymoreclearly.

Butwhatyouseecausesyourhearttosinkintoyourtoes.

TurntoPAGE69.

PlanBbegins.Thepolicecarsandtankssuddenlybackaway.Theroofoftheredvanpeelsback.Somesortofbizarreweaponpokesoutfromitsroof.

“Thisisyourlastchance,alien!”Dr.Harlanshouts.“Willyougiveuppeacefully?”“I’mnotanalien!”youexplain.“I’makid!”“Yourtimeisup!”Dr.Harlanshouts.“Activatethewebgun.”They’regoingtoshootyou!Help!Youturntorun.BOOM!Somethingheavyfallsoveryourhead.Youtrytopullitoff,butthickstrandspinyourhandstoyour

sides.Themoreyoustruggle,thetighterthestrandswindaroundyou.Inhorror,yourealizethatthegunshotabignetallaroundyou.Nowthestrandswindaroundyour

feet.Youfeelyourselfstarttotoppletotheground.“Congratulations,alien!”Dr.Harlan’svoicecries.“You’rethefirstcreaturetobecapturedbyour

artificialspiderweb!”Somehow,youdon’tfeelhonored.Oh,well.That’swhathappenswhenyoubecometoowrappedupinadventure.

THEEND

“I’dliketotrythemagnetism,”youtellDr.Abbott.“Excellent,”hereplies.“Ithinkyouhaveagoodchanceforsuccess.There’sonlyonedrawback….”“Whatisit?”youaskanxiously.“Nevermind,”hesaysbriskly.“Comparedtoyourpresentproblem,it’sminor.”Hewheelsoverone

ofthebigmachinesfromthecornerofhislab.AlabelonitssidereadsSUPERMAGNETRON.ThemachineisastallasDr.Abbott.It’scoveredwithdialsandbuttons.Alongtubeaswideasa

personrunsrightthroughthecenterofthemachine.Dr.Abbottpicksyouupandgentlyplacesyouinthecenterofthetube.Youfeelverytinyinsidethe

hugemachine.“Holdverystill,”heinstructsyou.“Nomatterwhatyouhearorfeel,don’tmove!”Youhearametallicclick,andthenaloudbuzzingnoise.Thetubebeginstovibrate,fasterandfaster.

Youtrytoholdstill,butit’sliketryingtostaystillduringanearthquake.Thebuzzinggrowsevenlouder.It’ssoloudyoucan’thearanythingelse.Youreardrumsfeelasifthey’regoingtoburst!Andthen,

everythingstops.

Diditwork?TurntoPAGE63.

Thecoincameupthesamewaythreetimes.Youguideyourboatstraighttowardthewaterfall.Howhorriblecouldawaterfallinasewerbe,anyway?Yousoonfindout.YourPopsiclestickissuckedintothewhitewater.Youholdonastightlyasyou

can.SPLASH!You’reforcedoverthewaterfallandintoalong,widepipe.YougripthePopsiclestickwithyour

armsandlegs.Youtumbleendoverendthroughthedirty,rushingwater.Youchokeaswaterrushesintoyournoseandmouth.Justwhenyou’reabouttodrown,youreachthe

endofthepipe.YouclimbbackontopofyourPopsicleboat.Theswiftcurrentisnowrushingyoutowardabig

machine.Themachinemakeshideousgrindingnoises.Andthenyourealizewhatthewaterfallwas.Itwasthemainpipetothesewagetreatmentplant!YouandthePopsiclestickareabouttobegroundintotinypieces!Upaheadyouseethesharpmetalteethofthegrinder.GRRRRRRR!GRRRRRRR!There’snowayback.Onlyforward.Toobad—thisadventureisgrindingtoan

END

There’sgottobealogicalexplanation.Maybeyoudidn’tnoticehowmuchDorahasgrown.Maybeyou’relosingweight.Maybeyou’rejustimaginingthings.

“You’relookingawfullythin,dear,”AuntFionatellsyouatsupperthatnight.“Havesomemoremashedpotatoes.”

“Yeah,wimp.”Barneygrins.“Eatsomeofmyfoodwhileyou’reatit.”Whenhismotherisn’tlooking,hedumpshisbroccolionyourplate.

YouignoreBarney.Becauseyou’vejustnoticedsomethingdisturbing.Thetableseemsalothigherthanitusedtobe.

Somethingreallybizarreishappeningtoyou.I’llfeelbetterafteragoodnight’ssleep,youthink.Thatnightyouhaveweirddreamsaboutpinkdotsandtinglingtoes.Andthenextmorning,whenyou

climboutofbed,yourpajamabottomsfalloffyourbodyontothefloor!Whatishappening?youwonderinapanic.Youpickupyourpajamabottomsandexaminethem.Theyareexactlythesameastheywerelast

night.Ofcoursetheyare.Becauseyounowknowwhattheproblemis.Yourpajamashaven’tgottenbigger.Dorahasn’tgrownandyourwatchbandhasn’tstretched.Youhaveshrunk.

TurntoPAGE50.

Youstickoutyourtongueandlickuptheteeniest,tiniestbitoftheherbalpowder.It’ssuchasmallamount,youdon’teventasteanythingasyouswallow.

Youholdyourbreath,waitingforsomethingtohappen.Butnothingdoes.“Noticeanydifference?”youshoutdowntotheclown.“No.”Heshakeshishead.“Butatleastyouaren’tgrowinganybigger.Maybeyouhavetowaitforit

towork.”“Maybe,”youagree.Butyoucan’thelpbeingdisappointed.Maybeyoushouldeattherestofthe

mixture.Youstarttoliftyourhandtoyourlipswhenyousuddenlyhearafamiliarnoise—Sirensandhelicopters!Oh,no!Thepolicehavefoundyou!Shouldyoueattherestofthemixture?Beforeyoucandecide,ahelicopterswoopsdownoutsidethetent.Itsrotorsblowtherestofthe

mixtureoutofyourhand.Theherbsarelostforeveronthewind.Youduckoutofthebigtopandstartrunning.Youhavetogetaway!

RuntoPAGE41.

Yousitupandglancedownatyourfeet.Nowonderyoutripped.Yourtoeshaveburstthroughthefrontofyoursneakers!

Youyankoffwhat’sleftofthesneakers.Youwiggleyoursquishedtoes.You’veheardofout-growingshoes.Butyouneverknewitcouldhappensofast!

Youhurryintothehousetofindnewshoes.Youpassthroughthekitchen,whereyourauntispackingherbriefcaseforwork.“Whyareyoubarefoot?”sheasks.

“Ithinkmyshoesshrank,”youanswer.Youshowhertherippedsneakers.“Perhapsyou’rejusthavingagrowthspurt,”sheoffers.“Youlookalittletaller.”Upinyourroom,youstudyyourselfinthemirror.Youdolookbigger.Maybeevenacoupleof

inchestallerthanyouwereyesterday.Yourshoesarealltooshort.YouhavetoborrowanoldstinkypairofUncleHarvey’ssneakers.

Theyarealittletoobigforyou,buttheyarecomfortable.You’rejusttyingtheshoelaceswhenDorasticksherheadinsidetheroom.

“Isawyouinthebasement,”sheannounces.“AndI’mtelling!”

TurntoPAGE129.

YouhavetogettothedumpandyouhavetogetthereNOW!Barneyisyouronlyhope.“Please,Barney,Ihaveto—”“Whatpartof‘shutup’don’tyouunderstand?”Barneydemands.“I’mtryingtowatchTV!DoIhave

toteachyoualesson?”Ashepullshimselfupofftheflooryourealizeyou’resolittlenow,hetowersoveryou.

Maybethiswasabadidea.“Uh…I’llseeyoulater,”yousayandstarttobackoutoftheroom.ButBarneymeansbusiness.You’veseenthatnastyexpressiononhisfacebefore.Itmeanshe’s

reallymad.AndwhenBarneyismad—watchout!Quick!Wherecanyouhidefromyourcousin?

DashintothekitchenandhideinacupboardonPAGE13.Orfindahidingspotoutdoors.RuntoPAGE93.

“Getreadyforanothercrummyteaparty,”thevoicesays.Youglancearound,yourheartpounding.“Whosaidthat?”“Idid,”thefatherdollreplies.Itspaintedmouthdoesn’tmove.Butthevoiceisdefinitelycoming

fromthedoll.“Youcantalk?”youexclaim.“OfcourseIcantalk,”hereplies.“Socanyou.Alldollscantalk.”“I’mnotadoll,”youprotest.“Thenwhatareyoudoinginourdollhouse?”Hewalkstowardyoustiffly.“Areyouaburglar?”“No,no,”yousay.Hemaybeadoll,buthelooksstrong.“Ofcourseyouaren’t,”saysthemotherdoll.“You’remynewhousekeepingdoll.”Shebringsyoua

tinyvacuumcleaner.“But—”youstarttoprotest.Themotherdollglaresatyou.Youshrugandstarttovacuum.“Thenewdollisdangerousandneedstobelockedup,”thefatherdollinsists.“No!There’stoomuchworktobedone.There’scathaireverywhere,”themotherdolltellshim.Youglanceoutthewindow.Puff’syelloweyesglarebackatyou.WillDoraevercomeback?youwonderasyouvacuumtherug.Withallthecleaningyouhaveahead

ofyou,alittleteawouldsurehitthespot!

THEEND

You’vegottostopBarney.Youarenowsobigyou’reafraidifyougrabhim,you’llsquashhim.Youhavetoactquickly—he’salmostatthedoor.

Youreachoutandgrabthefirstthingyourhandtouches.Unfortunately,it’stheroofontheneighbor’shouse.

WithahideousCRACK!theroofripsloosefromthehouse.Bricksandroofingshinglesscatterlikefallingleaves.You’veopenedthehouseuplikeabox.Youstareattheroofinyourhand.Shocked,youpeerintothehouse.

Frominside,theneighborsstareupatyou.Theywereeatinglunch.Nowthey’rescreaminginterror.“It’samonster!”thefatherofthefamilyshouts.“It’sanalien!”hiswifescreams.“Alien!Alien!”hisdaughtersshriek.“No—wait!”youcry.Butyourvoiceissoloudwhat’sleftoftheirhouseshakes.Thefamilyrushes

outtothestreet.YousearchforBarney,buthe’sdisappeared.He’sprobablygoneforthepolice.Youfeelterrible.

Maybeyoucanfixthedamageyou’vecaused.Youkneeldownbesidethehouseandcarefullysettheroofbackinplace.Unfortunately,partsofitseemtobemissing.Youglancearoundtheyardforthemissingpieces.

Thenyouhearanangrygrowl.

TurntoPAGE64.

Youfindyourselfeye-to-eyewithanotherstrangecircusperformer.Onlythistimeitisn’taclown.Thistimeitisanelephant!

“Hi,there,”yousaytothegiantbeast.Youaresobignow,youandtheelephantarethesameheight.Theelephantgazessteadilyatyou.Itseemstobewaitingforyoutodosomething.Butwhat?You

glancearound.Yourealizeyouareatthebackentrancetothebigtop.Suddenly,avoiceboomsovertheloudspeakers.“Ladiesandgentlemen!Childrenofallages!You

areabouttobeastonishedbytheextraordinaryfeatsofTheAmazingStrongo!”Theelephantlooksatyouexpectantly.YouhaveafunnyfeelingyouareTheAmazingStrongo.Theannouncementcontinues.“WatchTheAmazingStrongoliftanelephantintotheair!”Youstumblethroughtheflap.Theelephantpushedyouwithitstrunk!Thenitnudgesyoualltheway

intothecenterring.Youaresurroundedbycheeringpeople.Whentheapplausediesdown,thetentgrowseerilysilent.TheyareallwaitingforyoutogointoyourAmazingStrongoact.Butyoucan’tliftanelephant!Orcanyou?

Ifyouareabletodofivepush-ups,turntoPAGE16.Ifyoucandolessthanfivepush-ups,turntoPAGE40.

Thewaterforcesyoudownthedrainpipe.Youtrytoswim,butthecurrentistoostrong.Youholdyourbreathasyouswirlunderwater.Justwhenyouthinkyourlungsaregoingtoburst,yousplashintoadeep,darkpool.

Youpushyourheadabovewater.Yousuckinadeepbreathofair.Abigwavepushesyoubackunder.Thenextthingyouknow,yourbodyiswhooshingalongalong,curvingpipe.

Thewaterslowsslightlyandyoucomeupforair.Thenyou’rerushingthroughthepipesagain.Yougaspforbreath.

SPLASH!Thecurrentletsyougo.You’redriftinginabig,broad,smellyriver.Youtreadwaterandgazearound.Theonlylighttricklesinthroughtinyopeningsinthegratesfaroverhead.Emptypapercupsandbitsoffoodfloatbyyou.

Thewholeriversmellslikerottengarbage.Slimystringsoffilthwindaroundyourarmsandneck.Gross!You’reinthesewersystem!

Youswimtooneofthesides,butthebanksaretoosteepandslimytoclimb.Youcan’ttreadwaterforever.Alreadyyourarmsaregettingtired.

Thensomethingfamiliarfloatsby.

Ifit’saPopsiclestick,gotoPAGE52.Ifit’sablueplasticcanwiththewordsMONSTERBLOODonit,turntoPAGE11.

“I’vebeenlookingforagreatexperiment,”Dr.Abbottexclaims.“Idon’tknowanythingaboutsizechange.ButI’mwillingtogiveitashot.”

“I’lltryanything,”yousay.“I’mdesperate.”“Excellent!Justthinkofthepublicity!”Dr.Abbottisgettingveryexcited.“Peoplewillstop

accusingmeof—”Heglancesdownatyou.“Well,nevermind.Let’sgetstarted.”Thescientisthurriestohisdeskandsearchesthroughpilesofpapers.“Ihavetodoabitof

research,”heexplains.Yousmileweaklyathim.Youhopeyouhaven’tmadeaterriblemistake.Finally,Dr.Abbottliftsyouupinhishandandexaminesyoucarefully.Everytimeheexhales,the

forceofhisbreathalmostblowsyouover.Hetakesoutatapemeasureandmeasuresyou.Heputsyouonascaleandweighsyou.Thenheplacesyouonatable.

“I’mnotsurewhichoneofmymachinestouse,”hesays.“Themagnetronworksbychangingyourmagneticfield.Thelasergunmakesthebody’satomsexpand.Whatdoyouthink?”

“WhatdoIthink?”youreplywithagulp.Somehow,youhadn’texpectedthedecisiontobeyours.Still,itisyourbody.

Doyouwanttotrymagnetism?GotoPAGE76.Oristhelaserguntheanswer?TurntoPAGE101.

Youtakeastepback,butthetigerboundsuptoyou.Itslipstwistinasnarl,anditsteethglisteninthebrightlights.

“Aaaaaarrrggghh!”Thepiercingsoundofyourscreamevenshocksyou.Thetigerfreezesmidpounce.Thecrowdstaresatyou.Youforgothowloudyourvoiceis,nowthatyouareagiant.

Thetigerbacksaway,andthen,withitstailbetweenitslegs,skulksbacktothering.“I’msorry,kitty,”youcalltothefrightenedanimal.Youdidn’tmeantoscareit.Andyourealizethatnowthatyouarehuge,thetigerscouldn’treallyhurt

you.Asyoustridetothecenterofthering,allthetigerscower.Eventhetrainerlooksalittlenervous.Youreachouttothetigerandscratchitunderitschin.Thenitstartstorubagainstyourlegslikeakitten.It’spurring!

Thecrowdbeginsapplaudingandcheering.Butthetigertrainerjustglaresatyou.“Nicekitty,”youtellthetiger.Youkneeldownandpetthebeautifulanimal.Younoticethetiger

trainerisstillglaringatyou.Oooops—itfinallydawnsonyou—you’veinterruptedhisperformance.Youbettergetoutofthering.Youstraightenbackupandturntogo.

Yeowch!Somethingjustyankedyourhair—hard!

GotoPAGE10.

Thereisanoddnumberoflettersinyourfirstname.Andyouhaveanewideaforfightingthemouse.Youstopduelingwiththerodent.Instead,youcirclearoundasaucepot.Themousestartstofollow

you.Youspeedup.Andthereitis!Themouse’stail.Quickly,yougrabitandholdon.Themousesqueaksinangerandbeginstorunthroughthecupboard.Youcontinuetoholdontoits

tail.Then,justasyouhoped,themouserunstowardthefrontofthecupboard.Itsweightandits

momentumshoulddothetrick.Yup!Whenithitsthecupboarddoor,thedoorpopsopen.Quickly,youletgoofthemouse’stail.Yourunoutofthecupboardandintothekitchen.Youturnaroundandseethemouselyingonthefloor.Itmusthavestunneditselfwhenithitthe

cupboarddoor.Butit’sstartingtowakeup.There’sonlyonethingtodo.Whatisit?

TurntoPAGE116.

Barney’sright.Youareawimp.Thisadventureiscanceledonaccountofnerdiness.What?Youwantanotherchance?Okay.

YoucanstanduptoBarneytheBullybyrushingovertoPAGE26!

Doraisshriekingandstaringatyouinhorror.“Dora—”yousay.“It’sme,yourcousin!”Butyou’resobigshedoesn’tevenrecognizeyou.Andyoucantellyou’restillgrowing.“Help!”shescreams.“Help!It’samutantalien!”Youpullyourselftoyourfeet.Maybeifshecanseeallofyoushe’llknowwhoyouare.Asyou

stand,yourhairbrushesthetreetops.Doralooksverysmallstandingintheyardbeneathyou.AndnowBarneyrunsoutofthehouse.“Callthepolice!”Dorascreams.“There’samutantalieninourbackyard!”Barneytakesonelookatyouandturnswhite.Hespinsaroundandheadsforthehouse.He’sgoingtocallthepolice!They’vealreadybeencalledaboutyouonce.Iftheycomeagain,you’ll

beinsomuchtroubleyou’llnevergetoutofit.You’vegottostopBarney.Buthow?

Grabhimandtrytoexplain?TurntoPAGE6.OrthrowsomethinginhispathonPAGE83.

“It’sthealien!”Ablondkidinrowtwopointsatyou.“I’mnotanalien!”youshout.“I’mahumankid!”Morepeoplebeginscreaming,“Thealien!It’sthealien!”Inshock,youdroptheelephant.Thismakestheelephantfurious.Sheswoopsyouupinherpowerful

trunk.Atfirstyouthinksheisgoingtosqueezeyoutodeath.ThenDodoliftsyouintotheairandswingsyoubackandforth.

“Callthepolice!”someoneshouts.Nowtheentireaudienceisshrieking.Thesituationisgettingugly.Adozensecurityguardsstartrunningtowardyou.

Youthoughtyouweresafehere.Butnoweveryonethinksyou’reanalien.ThenyouspotyourcousinDorasittingrightinthefrontrow.You’veneverbeensohappytoseeherbeforeinyourwholelife.Infact,thisisprobablytheonly

timeyou’vebeenhappytoseeher.“Tellthem,Dora!”youshout.“Saveme!TellthemI’mnotanalien!”Dorastaresbackatyou.Thenshesmiles.Hooray!You’resaved!

TurntoPAGE65.

Yourefusetobedefeated.“I’vegotanidea,”youtellDr.Abbott.“We’llmakeastaircase.”YouandDr.Abbottstruggleandstrainasyoushovebooksintoapile.Thebooksarestackedunevenly,formingsteps.Whenthepileisastallasthebeaker,youandthescientistrushupthesteps.Atthetop,youreachoutfortheremote.It’snearlyasbigasyouare.

Yourhandsbothtouchtheremote.Withallyourstrength,youpull.Youfallflatonyourback.Buttheremotelandsnexttoyou.

“I’llchangethesettings!”Dr.Abbottcries.Hepressesabuttonontheremote.Thebuttonsaresobighehastousebothhands.Then,gruntingandsweating,heturnsadial.

“Thatshoulddoit,”hetellsyou.“Onthecountofthree,jumponbuttonnumbersix.Atthesametime,I’llputallmyweightonthe‘on’switch.One!

“Two!”Youpreparetojumpontobuttonsix.“Three!”Willyoubesuccessful?Thatdependsonthemonthyouwerebornin.

Ifyouwereborninthefirsthalfoftheyear—JanuarythroughJune—turntoPAGE30.IfyouwereborninthemonthsofJulythroughDecember,turntoPAGE68.

Quickly,beforeyourcousincancatchuptoyou,youdartoutsidethroughthekitchendoor.Youmaybesmall,butyourunfast.

Youglancearoundforagoodhidingplace.Notimetobechoosy.Youdashontothelawn,thenduckundertheporch.

Thekitchendoorslamsagain.ThenyouhearBarney’sfootstepsclompingoveryourhead.YoucrouchwhileBarneystumblesaroundonthelawn,callingyourname.

“I’llgiveyoutothecountoftentocomeout!”heshouts.Yousmiletoyourself.Howstupidcanhebe?Whyshouldyoucomeoutandgetbeatupwhenyou

canrelaxunderhere,safeandcomfortable?“One!”Barneycries.“Three!Seven!”He’scheatingagain,butyoudon’tcare.You’resafe,atleastfornow.Andyoucanwaitalotlonger

thanBarneycancount.Yup!Justasyouexpected,Barneygetsboredandheadsbackintothehouse.Youfigureyou’llgive

Barneyplentyoftimetocooloff.Whileyouwait,youseethosepinkdotsagain.Butotherthanthat,it’sprettycomfyundertheporch.Afteryouthinkyou’vewaitedlongenough,youstarttocrawloutfromundertheporch.Thenyou

stopinhorror.

Quick!TurntoPAGE18.

It’syourcousinDora—smirkingatyoufromthetopofthestairs.“You’renotsupposedtobedownhere,”shewhines.“I’mgoingtotell!”“Wait!”youcry.“Itwasanaccident!Icameinherebymistake!”“Yeah,sure,”shetaunts.“ButmaybeIwon’ttell—ifyouplaywithme.”“Maybe,”yousaycautiously.“Let’splaydolls,”sheurges.“Ihaveanewdollhouse.”YouhateplayingwithDora.She’sreallyspoiledandhasatantrumifshedoesn’tgetherway.“I’lltellifyoudon’t,”Dorapersists.Whatareyougoingtodo?

Ifyourefusetobudge,turntoPAGE22.IfyougiveinandplaywithDora,turntoPAGE35.

Youtrytothinkofanypossiblereasonyoucouldsuddenlystartgrowing.Youthinkbackovereverythingyou’vedoneforthepasttwenty-fourhours.Youstillhaven’tfiguredoutananswerwhenyouenterthekitchen.

DoraandBarneyaremakingsandwichesinthekitchen.Youarereallyhungrynow.Alongwitheverythingelse,yourappetitehasalsogrown.Butwhenyoureachforthetunafish,Barneystopsyou.“Yououghttogoonadiet,wimp,”hetellsyou.“You’regettingfat—orhaven’tyounoticed?”

Doragigglesobnoxiously.Youknowperfectlywellthatyou’renotfat—you’rejustbig.Bigandhungry!Thenyouremembersomething.Youwereveryhungrywhenyouwerehidinginthebasement.

Hungryenoughtoeatthatstalechocolatecake.Maybetherewassomeingredientinthecakethatismakingyougrow.Itdidtastekindoffunny.

Ifyoufindoutwhatwasinthecake,youshouldbeabletofigureouthowtostopgrowing!

RushdowntothebasementonPAGE34.

Youdon’tstanduprightaway.Youfeelalittlewoozyfromtheeffectsofthemachine.YoulieonthebenchandgazeupatArnold.Heisstaringatyou,hiseyesgrowingwiderandwider.

Notagoodsign.“Uh,Arnold,”youbegin,“diditwork?”Hismouthopensandcloses,buthedoesn’tansweryou.Definitelynotagoodsign.Youleapoffthebench.Youruntoamirrorandyourheartnearlystops.You’rebacktoyournormal

height.Butyourbodyistotallychanged!Theflappingmotionmadeyourarmsstretch.Yourhandsdanglebelowyourknees!Theswimming

movementmadeyourlegsasthickastreetrunks.Thehelmetshrankyourheadtohalfitsnormalsize!“I’mafraidIgotthesettingwrong,”Arnoldsays.“Ishouldhavereadtheinstructionsfirst.”Nowhetellsyou!

THEEND

Youpickupthecrumbofchocolatecake,placeitinyourmouth,andswallow.Amomentlater,youfeelanelectrictinglingalloveryourbody.

Thenextinstant,youfeelasharppaininyourhead.Yourheadhashitthetopoftherefrigerator.You’regrowingbigagain!Thechocolatecakeworked!Youjumpoutoftherefrigerator,rubbingyourhead.Thenyougrinwhileyouwatchallthejunk

aroundyouinthedumpappeartoshrink.Injustafewsecondsyou’vereturnedtonormalkid-size.Youarrivebackatyouraunt’shouseintimeforlunch.Barneyiswaitingforyouontheporch.“Wherehaveyoubeen,wimp?”hedemands.“Out,”yousay.“Oh,yeah?”Hepullsbackhishandtogiveyouakaratechop.Buttohissurprise,andyours,too,

youmovequicklytoblockit.“OW!”Barneywhines,rubbinghishand.“Howdidyoudothat?”Youdon’tanswer.You’renotsure.Butitseemsthecakenotonlymadeyoubigger,itmadeyou

fasterandstronger.Maybetherestofthesummerwon’tbesobadafterall.

THEEND

You’vedecidedtotrytofightthemouse.It’sheadedstraighttowardyou,anditlooksmean!Meanandhungry.

Butit’ssobig—youneedaweapon.Youglancearounddesperately.Youspotaboxofutensilshangingontheinsideofthecupboarddoor.Insidetheboxaresomepins

forholdingcornonthecob.Oneendofeachpinissharp.Theotherendhasaplastichandle.Yougraboneofthepinsbythehandle.It’sasbigasaswordtoyou.

Thenyouturntofacethemouse.Itapproaches,baringitsuglyyellowteeth.Itlungesatyou.Youlungeback,holdingyourpinlikea

sword.Themouseeasilydodgesthepin.Itreachesoutaclawedpawandrakesyourarm.Youcryoutinpainandthrustbackwiththepin.Thetwoofyouseemwellmatched.Sowellthattheonlywaytodeterminetheoutcomeofthisduel

betweenhumanandbeastisbychance.Countthenumberoflettersinyourfirstname.

IfyouhaveanEVENnumberofletters,turntoPAGE25.IfthenumberoflettersisODD,turntoPAGE88.

Youheadforthemetalpileasfastasyoucanrun.Youhearthelizardcomingafteryou.Youraceahead,fasterthanyou’veeverrunbefore.Thelizard’sstickytonguedartsoutofitsmouth.Ittouchesthebackofyourshirt.Youbreakaway.

Youreachtherustymetal.Nowyourealizeit’sapileofwreckedcars.Youclimbontothecrushedmetaldoorofoneofthecars.Thelizardstartsupafteryou.Youclimb

throughthewindowandleapontothedashboard.Youglanceatthewindow.Thelizardglancesbackatyou.Wherecanyouhide?Thenyouspottheopenglovecompartment.Perfect!Youcrawlinandslamthedoorbehindyou.Nowaythelizardcangetin.Youglancearound.Theglovecompartmentisfullofold,tornmaps.

There’sarustyflashlight,abunchofkeys,andahalf-eatenrollofmintcandies.Toyou,they’reallthesizeoffurniture.

Youleanagainstamapandrelax.Butthenyouhearadeafeningroar.Thecarstartstotilt.Thenitbeginstoshake.

Quick!TurntoPAGE114.

It’sgone!Therefrigeratorhasdisappeared.Infact,allthefurnitureinthebasementisgone!Everything.Thebasementiscompletelyempty!Yourushtothekitchen.Yourauntisjustleavingthehousetogotoworkattheuniversity.“AuntFiona!”youcry.“Where’stherefrigeratorthatwasinthebasement?”Shefrowns.“Doratoldmeyouwereplayingdownthereyesterday,”shereplies.Thatrat!Youplayedwithherstupiddollhouseandshestilltoldonyou.“Don’tworry,”AuntFionagoeson.“Ihadallthefurniturehauledtothedumpearlythismorning.”“But—”youstarttoprotest.“Thoseoldthingsweredirtyanddangerous,”shecontinues.“Nowit’ssafeforyoukidstoplay

downtherewheneveryouwant.”Shegivesyouaquickkissandleavesbeforeyoucanaskanymorequestions.

Youstareafterherinshock.You’reinbigtrouble.Or,rather,insmalltrouble.You’restillshrinking.Whatifyougrowsosmallyoudisappear?

Ifyouthinkyoucanfindtherefrigeratoratthedump,hurrytoPAGE24.Ifyouthinkyoushouldseeadoctor,turntoPAGE120.

“I’dliketotrythelasertreatment,”yousqueak.“Excellent!”Dr.Abbottreplies.“Now,stayrightthere.”Herushesacrosstheroomandreturnspushingahugemachine.Itlookslikeawhitemachinegun

withapointedbarrel.Heaimsitdirectlyatyou.Dr.Abbottpressesseveralbuttonsonaplasticremotecontrol.Withahigh-pitchedwhine,thelaser

startsup.Suddenly,aredrayshootsout.Youstarttosweatandpant.Butyou’renotgrowinganybigger.Dr.Abbottturnsoffthemachine.“Anyresults?”heasks.“Itisn’tworking,”youtellhim.“Oh,dear,”hesays,frowning.“MaybeI’dbetterturntherayuptofullpower.”Hepressesmore

buttonsontheremote.There’sasuddenPOP!andtheentireroomglowsbrightred.Youfalldownaseverythingbeginstoshake.Theredlightissobrightyouhavetocoveryoureyes.

Thenitbeginstofadetopink.Theshakingstopsandthelasershutsoff.You’restillsmall.AndDr.Abbottseemstohavedisappeared.“Dr.Abbott?”youcall.“Dr.Abbott?”Youapproachtheedgeofthetableandglancedown.There

onthefloorisatinycreaturewearingawhitelabcoat.Itlookslike…

Quick!TurntoPAGE36!

“What’swrong?”youaskDora.“Whyisyourwatchlikethat?”sheasks,pointingtoyourwrist.YouglancewhereDoraispointingandnoticethatyourwristwatchishangingloosefromyourwrist.

“That’sstrange,”youmurmur.“Thewatchbandmusthavestretched.”“It’smetal,”Dorapointsout.“Howcoulditstretch?Didn’titfitwhenyougothere?”“Iguessso,”youmumble.That’sagoodquestion,yourealize,butoneyoudon’thaveananswerfor.Nowyounoticesomethingelse.Whenyoufirstcamehere,youwerethreeinchestallerthanDora.

Sittingbesidehernow,youseemtobethesameheight.Howcouldthatbepossible?

Whatisgoingon?RushtoPAGE78.

Yourushoutofthehouseandmakearight.Butyouhavetostopforaminute.Pinkspotsappearbeforeyoureyesandyourtoestingle.Oncetheweirdfeelingpasses,yourundownthestreettowardthenumber103busstop.

Whenyouhurrybyyouruncle’smailbox,youseeit’snowhigherthanyourhead.You’veshrunkevenmore!

Justasyouarriveatthebusstop,the103buspullsup.Youstarttohoponboard.“Justaminute,”saysthebusdriver.“Howoldareyou?”“I’mtwelve,”youreply.Thedriverlaughs.“Nicetry.Butnotwelve-year-oldcouldbesosmall.I’mafraidyou’retooyoung

toridethebusbyyourself.Comebackwithoneofyourparents.”“ButIhavetogototheuniversity!”youprotest.“Sorry,”thebusdriversays.“Rulesarerules.”Heshutsthedoorinyourface.Toobad.Itlooksasif

youmadethewrongchoice.Andthisadventureisover.Butwait!Youhaveonemorechance.Youcanstilltrytotrackdowntherefrigeratorandseeifthe

jarofpurplepeanutbutterisinside.Hurrybacktoyouruncle’shouse.Thatwillbeasafeplacetocomeupwithaplan!

TurntoPAGE58.

You’veheardthatwaterbugssometimesfly,butyou’veneverseenonedoit.Andyouhopeyouneverwillagain.Fornow,though,yourealizeyouareluckyyoufoundonethatcan.Thisisyourchancetogetoutof

thesewer.Butfirst,you’vegottofigureoutsomewaytosteerbeforeyouslideoffthebug’sslimyback.You

grasptheleftantennaandpullhard.Thewaterbugturnsleft.Youpullontherightantenna,anditturnsright.Theantennaeworkjustlikereins!

Yousteerthewaterbugalongtheseweruntilyoureachanoverheadstormdrain.Youguidetheinsectupthroughthedrainandoutintothestreet.

Thenyoukickthebuginthesides.Itbeginstoflyhigh,higher.Soonthetownisfarbelow.Youscanthecountryside.Andthenyouseeit—theFiskevilledump.

Youguidethewaterbugsouthtowardthedump.Thedumpishuge.Itstretchesoverseveralacres.Howwillyoufindtherefrigerator?

Theinsectbeginstoflyfasterasitapproachesthedump.Itdipslowandskimsafewfeetabovethedump.It’sheadingstraightforabigmoundofrottinggarbage!

Quick!JumpoffthewaterbugandturntoPAGE59.

You’lltrythesteamroom.Youdon’twanttotestoutsomenewcontraption.Arnoldgivesyoualargebathingsuittochangeinto.Thenyoustepthroughadoorintoaroomthat’s

filledwithbillowingcloudsofsteam.It’sHOTinhere!Thesteamfillsyoureyes,yourmouth,yournose.Youbegintosweat.Yousitona

woodenbench.Thesteamgrowshotter.Yousweatevenmore.Youfeelthebathingsuitgrowinglooseonyourbody.

It’sworking!You’reshrinking!Thewarmsteammakesallyourmusclesrelax.Youfeelasifyoudon’thaveacareintheworld.You

getsleepy…sleepy.Youwakeupincrediblythirsty.Water,youthink,youhavetogetsomewater.Yourlegsfeelrubbery

whenyouslideoffthebench.Youstumbletothedoorandtrytoopenit.Youcan’treachthehandle.Thesteamworkedtoowell.You’veshrunk—justlikeyoursweaterwhenyouaccidentallyputitin

thehot-waterwash.“Letmeout!”youcry,poundingonthedoor.YourealizethatArnoldhasforgottenallaboutyou.Thesteamcontinuestopourin.Youcontinuetoshrink.Whenyouhaveshrunkdowntothesizeofa

raisinyougiveuphope.Thissteamyadventurehascometoasweltering

END

Youturnaroundandstartforthehighway.Youhavetobeverycarefulwhereyouputyourfeet—whoops!Therewentsomeone’sbicycle.

CRUNCH!You’vejustflattenedUncleHarvey’scar!Youhopeyoudon’taccidentallycrushapersonoranimal.Youstepcarefullyoveraparkedvan.Theneighborhoodstillringswithterrifiedshouts:“ALIEN!

ALIEN!”Youcan’twaittogetaway!Onceyoureachthemainroadway,youtakeoff.CRASH!Carscollidebehindyou—butyouhaveto

keepgoing.Youdon’tevendarelookback.Thenyouhearafrighteningsound:sirens.Lotsofsirens.Someoneinyouruncle’sneighborhoodhascalledthepolice.Youareinbigtroublenow.Andifyour

neighborswon’tlistentoyou,willthepolice?Youseeflashinglightsinthedistanceastheemergencyvehiclesracetowardyou.Abovethem

helicoptersbuzzlikeangryhornets.It’sanall-outattack!Wherecanyougo?Whatcanyoudo?Andthenyouseeit—oneofthefewplacesintheworldwhereyoumightbeabletohideuntilyou

returntoyournormalsize.

TurntoPAGE54.

Youbenddownandlickupthesmearoficing.Thenyouwait.Atfirstnothinghappens.Thenyourarmsstarttoacheandyourmouthfeelsstrange.Somethingishappeningtoyou!Youwatch

astherefrigeratorappearstogrowsmaller.You’regrowing!It’sworking!Youhopoutoftherefrigerator.Asyoudo,thelizardhopsintherefrigerator.Itclimbsuptothecake

boxandgobblesupthecrumbofcake.Youturntoheadbackforyouruncle’shouse.ThenyouhearaCRASH!behindyou.Youglancebacktoseethatthelizardcompletelyfillsthe

refrigerator.Thecrumbmadeitgrow,too!

TurntoPAGE55.

“One,”Barneycounts.“Two,three,four,twenty-seven,twenty-eight,fifty…”Asusual,yourcousinischeating.You’llhavetofindaplacetohide,fast.Butwhere?DoradropsPuffandrunsaroundtothebackofthehouse.Youwanttostayasfaraway

fromheraspossible.Youglancearound,thentiptoeintothehouse.Youfindyourselfinasmalllivingroomcrowdedwithfurniture.Youdon’thavemuchtime.Where

canyouhide?Youdodgearoundacoupleofchairs.Thenyouheadforahallwaythatleadstothekitchen.“Seventy!”Barneyshoutsfromoutside.“Eighty-one!Eighty-six!”Youspotadoorwaytotherightoftherefrigerator.Youpullthedooropen.Steep,splinterysteps

leaddownintoadark,musty-smellingroom.Itmustbethewaytothebasement.Butyourauntandunclewarnedyoutostayoutofit.“Ninety-three!”Barneyshouts.Quick!Makeadecision.Shouldyouforgetaboutyourauntanduncle’swarningandhideinthe

basement?Orfindsomewhereelsetohide?

Tocreepdowntothebasement,turntoPAGE71.OrfindanotherhidingplaceonPAGE47.

Yourundownthehallasfastasyourtinylegscango.Thejanitor’sfootstepsthunderbehindyou.YouduckintoDr.Abbott’slabattheendofthehall.Youhideinthespacebetweentheopendoor

andthewall.“Where’sthatmouse?”thejanitorshouts.“Therearenomiceinhere,”saysafriendlyvoicefromthebackoftheroom.Youglanceuptoseea

tallscientistwithagraybeardworkingatatable.HemustbeDr.Abbott,youthink.“Let’slookaroundtomakesure,”thejanitorinsists.Youholdyourbreathasheenterstheroom,then

clompsaroundlookingforyou.Pleasedon’tlookbehindthedoor,youthink.“Iguessitdidn’tcomeinhere,”thejanitorannounces.“Seeyoulater,Doc.”Youletoutasighofrelief.Youstepoutfrombehindthedoorandglancearound.Dr.Abbott’s

laboratoryishuge.Wayaboveyourheadyoucanseeseveraltablesandbookshelves.Twobigmetalmachinesstandinacorner.Youhearthesoundofsomethingboilingonagasburner.

You’resuretofindhelphere.ButhowcanyoumakeDr.Abbottnoticeyou?

TurntoPAGE9.

Theeyesareinthemiddleofanorange,furryface.Itlooksjustlikeagianttiger!Thebeastlicksitslips.

Yourealizeit’snotreallyatiger,butitmightaswellbe.It’sDora’scat,Puff.Itdoesn’tknowyou’reahuman.Allitknowsisthatyoulookalotlikedinner.

“Nicekitty,”yousay,backingslowlytowardtheporchsteps.“NicePuff,nice,nice.”Thecatblinksonce,thencroucheslowtotheground.Thecatisabouttopounce.Yousprinttothesteps.Youhavetostandonyourtiptoestoreachthefirstone.Youstraintopull

yourselfupbyyourhands.It’slikeclimbingupthesideofabuilding.YouhearPuffbehindyou,growlingsoftly.Thenextstepismucheasiertoclimb.It’sweathered,andyouusesplintersashandholds.Thelaststepisalsocoveredwithsplinters.Theycatchonyourclothesandpokeyourskin.You

climbupasquicklyasyoucan.Youreachtheporch,exhausted.Butyoucan’trest.Puffispreparingtospringstraighttowardyou.Thescreendoorisopenacoupleofinches.Butit’sallthewayacrosstheporch.Doyouhavetime

tomakeitthere?OrshouldyouheadforDora’sdollhouseafewfeetaway?

RunforthedooronPAGE19.Orheadforthedollhouse,PAGE44.

Youdecidetotastethecake.Thatpurplepeanutbutterlookstooweird.Youaresohungry,yourmouthwaterswhenyoutakeabigbiteofthecake.

Thefrostingishard,thecakeiscrumbly,andthereisafunnyaftertaste.You’vedefinitelyhadbetter.Butchocolateischocolate.Besides,you’restarving!Yourmouthisopenforanotherbitewhenyou

hearyourauntcallingyourname.Uh-oh!Youraunt’sstillhome.Youdon’twanttogetcaughtinthebasement!Whatcanyoudo?Your

eyesdartaroundthebasement,searchingforawayout.Thebasementwindow!Youhurryacrosstheroomandscrambleontothebackofthesofa.By

standingonyourtiptoes,youcanjustreachthegrimywindowsill.Youhoistyourselfup.Luckily,thewindowisopen.Youslitherthrough,floppingontothegrass.Great!Noonewilleverknowyouwereinthebasement.Problemsolved.Butthenyourolloverontoyourback.Andfaceanewproblem.

Whatisit?TurntoPAGE27.

Youglancedownthestreet.Apolicecarisspeedingtowardtheballfield.Itsredlightsblinkanditssirenwails.

“You’reinbigtroublenow!”Barneycalls.Withoutlookingback,hedashesaway.Thanksalot,cousin,youthink.Hedisappearsinthedistance.

“Itwasn’tyourfault,”thered-hairedpitchersays.“Itwasjustagreathit.”“You’dbettergetoutofherefast,”anotherplayersuggests.Youdon’tknowwhattodo.Youdidn’tmeantobreakthewindow.Butwillthepolicebelieveyou?

Whatwilltheydo?Maybeyou’dbetterhideuntiltheygoaway.

Ifyouwaitforthepoliceandconfess,turntoPAGE73.Ifyourunandhide,racetoPAGE4.

“I’dlovetojointhecircus,”youtelltheclown.“Great!”heexclaims.“We’llworkoutthedetailslater.You’llworkwiththetigers.Startingnow!”Astheaudiencefilesinforthenextshow,Tombo,thetigertrainer,givesyouanastylook.“You

don’tknowanythingabouttigers,kid,”Tombowarns.“Theycanbeverydangerous.Andpeoplecanbedangerous,too!”

Ishethreateningyou?Beforeyoucanfindout,theringmasterannouncesyouract:“AndnowpresentingTombotheTigerTrainerandhisamazingnewassistant!”

Thecircusbandstrikesupasong.Thespotlightfocusesonthecenterring.Tomboletshisfivetigersoutofthecage.Thebigcatsjumpontotheirstandsinsidethering.

TheysnarlandgrowlasTomboapproaches.Tomboholdsupaflaminghoop.Hecrackshiswhip.Onebyone,hemakesthetigersjumpthroughtheflames.Thecrowdapplauds.“Let’sseeyoutopthat,kid,”hesneers.

Youfeelsorryforthetigers.Theymaybedangerousanimals,butyoucantelltheydon’tlikethewhiporjumpingthroughhoops.Butsomehow,youhavetoentertainthecrowd.

“Goon,kid!”Tombowhispers.“Getstarted!Ifyouwanttokeepyourjob!”

GettoworkonPAGE56.

Thecarshakesevenharder.Isthisanearthquake?Youopentheglovecompartmentpartway.Thelizardisgone.But—oh,no!Youglanceupthroughthecarwindow.Thecariscaughtinagiganticmachine.Themachineis

pushingthecartowardthehugesteeljawsofacarcrusher!You’vegottogetoutofhere!Youjumpoutoftheglovecompartment.Youraceacrosstheseat.Ifyoucanjustmakeitbackout

thewindow…Butthevibrationsthrowyoutothefloor.Youscrambleupagain.Maybethere’saholeinthefloor!Ormaybeyoucangetthecardooropen!

Youhurlyourselfagainstthecardoor.Itdoesn’tbudge.Thesoundofthecarcrusherisdeafening.Withajolt,youarethrownoffyourfeetagain.Asyou

peerupfromthefloor,youseethattheroofofthecariscomingcloser.Andcloser.Andcloser.Inanotherfewseconds,thecarcrusherwillmashthecar—andyou—intoametalpancake.Alas,foryou,thisadventurehascometoaSMASHING

END

Thatfloorisalongwaydown.Youdecideitwouldbesafertoclimbdownandthenbackuptheothertable.Itmaytakeabitlonger,

butatleastyou’llgetthereinonepiece.Youworkyourwaydownthetableleg.Luckily,thetableleghascarvingsthatgiveyougoodplaces

toputyourfeet.Onceyoumakeittothefloor,youscurryovertothelabtable.YoupeerupandseethatDr.Abbottis

morethanhalfwaytothetop.“I’mrightbehindyou,”youcalluptohim.Youquicklybeginyourclimb.Youpullyourselfup,hand

overhand.It’stoughgoing,butyouaremakingprogress.Youglanceupagain.Dr.Abbottisjustpullinghimselfupontothetopofthetable.

Unfortunately,hegrabsontothecornerofahugeencyclopedia.Theenormousvolumetipsovertheedgeofthetable.Dr.Abbottmanagestoswinghislegsupandscramblesoutoftheway.

You’renotsolucky.“Oh,no!”yousqueak.Thebooktumblesoffthetable,knockingyoufromthetableleg.Youlandon

thefloorwithabone-shatteringthud.Apileofbookscrashesontopofyou.Toobad.What’sthescientifictermforSQUASHED?

THEEND

You’vedecidedtomakefriendswiththemouse.Youwantittoknowyouaren’tathreat.“Hello,mousey,mousey,”yousaysweetly.Youtrynottothinkaboutitslong,yellowteeth.Themousestopsstalkingyou.Itstaresatyouwithitslittlebeadyeyes.Youthinkbackonallthe

miceyou’veseeninschoolscienceprojects.Youknowthey’recuriousanimals.Howcanyoumakeitcurious—insteadofhungry?

Youbegintomakefacesatit.Yourubyourstomachwithonehandwhilepattingyourheadwiththeother.Themousecontinuestogazeatyou.Itseemsmuchlessdangerousnow.Itstartstoappearinterested.

Nowyoudoacartwheel.Whenyou’reupsidedown,youhityourheelonapotlid.“Ow!”youcry.Themousesqueaksatyou,asifitunderstandsthatyouhurtyourself.Youmakesqueakingsoundsbackatthemouse.Maybeyoucanconvinceitthatyou’rejustastrange-

lookingmouse.“SQUEAK!”themousecries.“SCREEK!”youreply.Andthen,suddenly,themouselungesatyou.Itsmouthiswideopen.Haveyoumadeamistake?Did

yousaysomethingterribleinmousesqueaks?

TurntoPAGE45.

It’sasoundyouneverthoughtyou’dbehappytohear—thevoiceofyourcousin.“Puff!”Doracries.“Whatareyoudoingbythedollhouse?”

Youhearacreakingnoiseandlightfloodsthekitchen.Dorapullstheroofoffthedollhouse.“See?”shetellsPuff.“There’snothinginhere,it’s—what’sthat?”

Nowyouseeherroundeyesstaringinatyou.“Why,itlookslikealittleperson!”sheexclaims,reachingforyou.“I’myourcousin!”youshout.“Don’tyourecognizeme?”Butyourvoiceisapatheticsqueak.Nowayshecanhearyou.“Cool!”shemurmurs.“Anotherdoll

toplaywith!”“ButI’mnotadoll!”youprotest.“Stayrighthere,”Doragoeson.“I’llgogetsomegoodiesforyoutoeat.Wecanplayteaparty.

Won’titbefun?”“Wait!”youcry.Butbeforeyoucanprotestagain,shereplacesthelidonthedollhouse.Allyoucan

donowiswaitforhertoreturn.Maybeyou’llbeabletotalksomesenseintoher.Ormaybenot.IfonlyPuffwouldgoaway.Andthenyouhearanothervoice.Frominsidethedollhouse.

TurntoPAGE82.

Youcan’tjointhecircus!Youhavetofindawaytomakeyourselfsmaller.“Thanksforyouroffer,”youtelltheclown.“ButI’mnotusuallythisbig.”Youexplainyourproblem.

“Iunderstand,”theclowntellsyou.“Iappreciateyourhonesty.Inreturn,Imaybeabletohelpyou.Oneofourworkersisafortune-tellerwhohasstrangepowers.Shemaybeabletoreturnyoutoyournormalsize.”

Aftertheshow,theclownintroducesyoutoaverysmallwhite-hairedwomaninalongpinkrobe.Herfaceissowrinkledsheappearstobehundredsofyearsold.

“Ipredict,”shebeginsinastrangeaccent,“youwillmakelotsofmoneyandlivealong,happylife.”“No,no,”theclownsays.“Wedon’tneedafortunetold.Thispersonneedshelp!”“That’sdifferent,”shesays.“Myfortunesareallfake.”Younoticeheraccenthasnowdisappeared.Yourheartsinks.Youthoughtshewasgoingtobesomeonewithrealpowers.“Butmypowersareveryreal,”shesays,asifshehadreadyourmind.“ButIdon’tusethemon

fortunes.Everyonewantsthesamething.Fame,money,success….”Shesighs.“Now,tellme—what’syourproblem?”

TellheronPAGE7.

“What’sthecondition?”Barneysobs.“I’lldoanythingyousay.Anythingatall.”“First,”yousay,“youhavetopromisenottocallthepolice.”“Ipromise,”Barneycries.“Youmustalsopromisethatfromnowonyou’llbenicetoyourcousin.You’llshareyourbikeand

allyourtoys.Andyou’llneverpoundanyoneeveragain.”“Ipromise,”Barneygulps.“Verywell,”youannounce.“Youmaylive.”Youpreparetosethimdownwhenyourwholebodysuddenlybeginstofeelwarm.Itfeelsalmostas

if—Uh-oh.

What’shappening?FindoutonPAGE46.

Youfigurethebestthingtodoisseeadoctor.Buthowwillyoufindone?Youcheckbythephone.That’swhereparentsusuallykeepemergency

phonenumbers.Andthisisdefinitelyanemergency.You’reinluck!There’salistpostedonthewall.Andrightbetweenthephonenumberforthepolice

andthephonenumberforpizzadelivery,there’sanumberforaDr.Jenner.Youdialquickly.Youtrynottonoticehowfaryouhavetostretchtoreachthephone.Awoman’svoicecomesontheline.“Dr.Jenner’soffice.”“Ihavetoseethedoctorrightaway,”yousay.“What’stheproblem?”thewomanasks.“I’mshrinking!”youblurtout.There’sdeadsilenceontheotherendoftheline.“Please!Youhavetohelpme,”youbeg.“Myclothesaretoobig,Ican’treachthephone,andmy

watch—”“MayIspeaktoanadult?”thewomanbreaksin.Youcantellshedoesn’tbelieveyou.“Nooneishome,”youexplain.“Andthisisanemergency.”“Thedoctorisverybusy,”thewomansayscoldly.“AndIdon’thavetimeforprankphonecalls.”Youslamdownthephoneinfrustration.

Nowwhat?TurntoPAGE12.

Thepolicearestillafteryou.Andthey’vesentforreinforcements.Youheadawayfromthecircus,towardthehighway.

Thesirensaregrowingcloser.Yourheartpoundsinterrorasyouseeblinkingemergencylightsapproachingonthehighway.Howwillyouevergetoutofhere?

Youglanceintheotherdirection.Morelights.Moresirens.Andanelephant!“AROOOOO!”Dodotrumpets.Shemusthavefollowedyou.Youglanceattheelephant.Shedefinitelylikesyou.Sheactuallyseemstobesmiling.Youstarebackatthehighway.Thenyougetanidea.“Dodo,”youwhisper,“howwouldyouliketodomeareallybigfavor?”“AROOOO!”theelephantanswers.It’sasifDodounderstandsyou.“Dodo,”youtelltheelephant.“Here’stheplan.YoudistractthemwhileIrunaway.”YoucouldswearDodonodsatyou.YoupatDodoontherear.Theelephantlumbersdownthe

highway.Righttowardthepolice.Youwatchasthepolicecarsskidandswervetoavoidtheelephant.Dodoswingshertrunkatthe

cars.Sheseemstobehavingagoodtime.Youtakeoffintheoppositedirection.

RuntoPAGE41.

DorareachesintotheboxandpullsoutAuntFiona’seyemakeup.Thensheleansclosertothemirror.

Youjumpupandgrabalargebathtowelthat’sdanglingfromthetowelracknexttothesink.Youbegintoclimbit,usingtheroughthreadsforhandholds.

You’venearlyreachedthesinkwhenthetowelstartstoslip.Yourweightispullingitdown!Youronlychoiceistoleapontothesink.Youbarelymakeit.Youhangontotheslipperyporcelain

byyourfingertips.Thenyoupullyourselfallthewayontothesink.AllthistimeDoracontinuestoputonmakeup.Badly.She’snowapplyingmascara.“Dora!”you

yell.Shepicksupatubeandpullsoffthetop.Thenshestartstoputonlipstick.She’ssmearingitallover

herface.“Dora!”yourepeat.Youtrytogetrightunderherandnearlytripoveratoothbrush.Asyouregain

yourbalance,oneofyourfeetslidesoutfromunderyou.You’reskiddingonasmearoftoothpasteontheporcelain.Somehow,youkeepfromslidingofftheedgeofthesink.

Doraisstillgazingatherselfinthemirror.Thisisn’tworking.You’vegottodosomethingmoreobvious.

GetnoticedonPAGE70.

“I’llneversurrender!”youreply.Youturntorun.“Capturethealien!”Dr.Harlanshouts.“Don’tletitgetaway!”Youwish!youthink.Howcantheycatchyou?You’retwentytimesasbigasanyofthem.Butontheotherhand,wherecanyougo?Doyoureallywanttospendtherestofyourlifetryingtoescape?MaybeifyoutalktoDr.Harlan,

youcanconvincehimyou’renotanalien.Maybehecanusehisscientificknowledgetoreturnyoutoyournormalsize.

Youstoprunningandturnback.Dr.Harlan’sredvanisheadingrightforyou.“Iwanttotalk,”youannounce.Thevanstops.Dr.Harlanstepsout.“I’mlistening!”hecalls.“Youhavethirtysecondstoexplain

yourself.”Youthinkcarefully.Whateveryousaynextcouldaffectyourwholefuture.Butbeforeyoucanbegin,

yousuddenlyfeelverystrange.You’redizzy,andyourmouthhasbecomedry.Painfullydry.What’sgoingon?

FindoutonPAGE20.

YouwaitforPufftoliftherpaw.Thenyoudashforthedoorasfastasyoucan.ButPuffistooquickforyou.Withamazingforce,shesmashesyouwithherpaw.Youflyacrossthe

porch.Everythinggoesblack.Whenyoucometo,youareinbed.AuntFionamusthavefoundyouandbroughtyouupstairs,you

figure.Thenyourealizesomething—somethingwonderful!Thebedistherightsize!Thepillowfitsyour

headperfectly!Youpulluptheblankets,andyourtoespopouttheotherend.You’rebacktonormal!Youareyourregularsizeagain.

Youfeelgreat.Youleaptoyourfeetandrunovertoinspectyourselfinthemirror.It’shangingattheperfectheight.Youdon’tevenhavetostandonyourtoestoseeyourreflection.Maybeitwasalljustabaddream,youthink.

Butthenyounoticesomethingterrifyingoutsidethewindow.It’sapairofgiantyelloweyes,gazingdownatyou.Giganticeyesinahugetigerface.

Puff!Somehow,youendedupinthedollhouse.Nowondertheminiaturefurniturewasjusttherightsize

foryou.Youareaminiaturekid.Sorry.Iguessthiswasn’tyourluckydayafterall.

THEEND

Youlickupallthepowderonyourpalm.Asecondlater,yourmouthfeelsasifit’sonfire!Thisisthehotteststuffyou’veevertasted!Yourushoutsidethebigtopsearchingforwater.Youspotabigtankthat’susedtowatertheanimals.

Yougrabitupanddrainitinonegulp!Itdoesn’thelp.You’vegottofindmorewater!Yourushawayfromthecircus.Inthedistanceyouseealake.Youtakethreebigsteps,andyou’re

there.Youkneeldownandbegintosipfromthelake.Bythetimethelakeisempty,youstarttofeelbetter.Youstandup—andnoticethatyou’rebigger.

Much,muchbigger.You’resobigthatthedrylakeisatinydotfarbelowyou.Ajetplanebuzzesbyyourear.You’resobigyourfeetcoverawholecounty!Itappearsthatyoutooktoomuchoftheherbalpowder.It’shavingareverseeffect!Uh-oh!Youcan’tbreathe.You’resotallyourheadreachesintoouterspace.Toobad,itlooksasifthisbigadventurewasreallyoutofthisworld!

THEEND

Bettersticktoyouroriginalplan.Yourauntwilldefinitelywanttohelpyou.Thesescientistsmightwanttoturnyouintoanexperiment!

Youhurrytowardthemainbuilding,butyouaren’tgettingveryfar.Sinceyourfeetarenowthesizeofanormalhuman’sfingernail,it’snosurprise.

You’reexhausted.Butyoufinallyspottheadministrationbuilding.Justasyoutakeastep,thosepinkdotsswiminfrontofyoureyes.Thatawfultinglingstartsagain.

Wheneverythingreturnstonormalyouareshockedbyhowtinyyouare.Abladeofgrassseemsasbigasanoaktree!

Then,thedotsappearagain!Oh,no!You’restillshrinking!Youtooktoolongtogethelp.Andnow,it’stoolate.Youareshrinkingdowntonothing.Going,going,

THEEND

Youwatchasthehugebeastclimbsthroughtheholetowardyou.Itsfaceiscoveredwithhair.Ithasalong,pointedsnoutandhugeyellowteeth.ItopensitsmouthandletsoutaloudSQUEAK!

Yourealizethattheterrifyingmonsterisamouse!Andit’sthreetimesbiggerthanyouare.Youarereallysmallnow!Themouseglancesaroundthecupboard,probablylookingforfood.Thenitspotsyou.Itslongwhiskerstwitchasitsniffsinyourdirection.Itbeginstomovetowardyou.Whatwillyoudonow?Shouldyoutrytofightitoff?Ormaybeit’sasgentleasthemiceinthecageinyourschoolclassroom.Maybeyoushouldmake

friendswithit.Whateveryoudecide,you’vegottodosomethingsoon!There’snowayoutofthecupboardexcept

throughthemousehole.Andthemouseisnowlessthanawhiskeraway!

Fightthemouse?TurntoPAGE98.Ormakefriendswithit?TryPAGE116.

Thedinosaur’slong,graybodyiscoveredwithscales.Itgripsthegroundwithcruel-lookingclaws.Itsnarrowtongueflicksinandoutofitswidemouth.

Butitcan’tpossiblybehere!Dinosaursbecameextinctmillionsofyearsago.Thenyourealizethatit’snotadinosaur.It’sagray,stripedlizard.Butyou’resosmallnow,itmight

aswellbeTyrannosaurusrex!Thelizardfixesitsbeadyeyesonyou.Itflicksitstongueoutagain.Thenitbeginsmarchingtoward

you.Itthinksyou’reitsdinner!Quick!Getoutofherenow!

HeadforthepileoftwistedmetalonPAGE99.Orrunforthejungle—PAGE60.

“Iknowyouweredownthere,”Doracontinuesinherwhinyvoice.“Andifyouwon’tplayteapartywithme,I’lltell.”

Great,youthink,I’vebeenherelessthanaday,andI’mgoingtogetintotroublealready.Doraissuchapain.

“Idon’twanttoplayteaparty!”youshout.Wow,youthink,wasthatme?Youcan’tbelievehowloudyourvoicehasbecome.

Dora’seyesgrowbig.Sheactuallylooksafraid.“Youbetternotsquealonme,”youcommand.“Okay,”Dorasays.“Iwon’ttellanybodyyouwereinthebasement.”Shehurriesdownthehall.Gettingbiggerisgreat,youdecide.AnythingthatmakesbothBarneyandDorastopbotheringyouis

fantastic.Thisgrowthspurthappenedatjusttherighttime!Nowthatyou’vegotyourcousinsoffyourback,youdecidetoexploretheneighborhood.Asyou

leavethehouseyourealizethatUncleHarvey’sshoesfitreallywell.Toowell.Theyaren’tbiganymore.Weird,youthink.Youmuststillbegrowing.Youpushthethoughtoutofyourmind.

Younoticesomekidsplayingbaseballinanemptyfieldacrossthestreet.Youjogovertothem.Thenyouhear,“Getoutofhere,shrimp!”Barneyisglaringatyoufromcenterfield.

IfyoustanduptoBarneyandjointhegame,turntoPAGE26.Ifyoutrytoavoidhim,turntoPAGE89.

Infrontofthesideshowtentisabigsign:SEETHEBEARDEDLADY.MEETTHEMONKEY-FACEDMAN.

THRILLSANDCHILLS!

Quickly,youduckinside.Youareamazedbywhatyousee.Overinthecorneramancoveredfromheadtotoeintattoosisswallowingswords.Atinywomanandmaninelegantclothesarewatchinghisperformance.Theybarelycomeuptothetattooedman’sknees.

Youglancetotheoppositesideofthetent.Thefattestladyyouhaveeverseenistrimmingherlongblackbeard.Amanishelpingherbyholdingamirror.Buthe’sstandingonhishandsandholdingthemirrorbetweenhisfeet!

Hey,youthink,beingbigisn’tsobadhere!Justthen,youfeelsomethingpokeyouintheshoulder.Startled,youturnandcomeface-to-facewith

asmall,fatmaninayellowclownsuit.“You’relate!”hescoldsyou.Hesoundsmad,butyoucan’thelplaughing.It’shardtotakehimtoo

seriouslywithhiswhitefacemakeupandagiantpaintedredmouth.“Thisisnolaughingmatter,”hesays.“It’sshowtime!Now,getoutthere!”Beforeyoucanprotest,

hepokesyouwithalargetentpole.“Youch!”youexclaimasyoustumblethroughaflapinthecurtain.It’sdark.Somethingsmellsreally

gross.Whereareyou?

FindoutonPAGE84.

Thismagnetismmightnotbesobad,youthink.Maybethissummerwon’tbesoboringafterall!Asyouwalkalongthestreet,youpretendyouareamagneticsuperhero.Everytimeyoupassbya

metalpole,youactasifyouarecommandingittobowdowntoyou.IfonlyBarneyandDoraweremetalrobots,youthink.I’dhaveitmade!Youthinkabouthowyoucantakeadvantageofyournewmagneticpower.Suddenly,youheara

strangesound.Italmostsoundslikearoaringocean.Youturntoseewhatcouldbemakingsucharacket.Youcan’tbelievewhatyouareseeing!Hundredsandhundredsofcansareflyinginyourdirection.

Theylooklikeaswarmofgiantmetalbees.Theysoaroverahighcementwall,headingrightyourway.Youglanceatthesignonthewall.

FISKEVILLERECYCLINGCENTER.Youareabouttobecrushedunderthousandsofpoundsofrecyclablecans—thankstoyour

magneticpersonality.

THEEND

Yougazeatthekidinshock.Thekidstaresback,lookingjustasstunned.Yourealizewhatmusthavehappened.

“Thelaserswitchedourbodies!”Dr.Abbottcries.Buthesaysitinyourvoice.“Iknow,”youreply,soundinglikeDr.Abbott.“Wehavetoswitchback!”heexclaims.Youthinkforamoment.“Notyet,”youreply.“Whatdoyoumean,‘Notyet’?”Dr.Abbottdemands.“When?”“Afterthesummerisover,”yousay.WhenIwon’tbestuckwithBarneytheBullyandDullDora

anymore,youthink.“Outofthequestion!”Dr.Abbottroars.“Canyouchangebackwithoutmyhelp?”“Ofcoursenot!”Dr.Abbottexclaims.“ThenIguessyoudon’thaveachoice,”youstatecalmly.Yougotothedeskandfindyouraunt’s

numberinthedirectory.“Whatareyoudoing?”Dr.Abbottdemandsasyoupunchinyouraunt’snumber.“Youcan’tjust

leavemelikethis!”YouhearAuntFiona’svoicecomeontheline.“Canyoupleasegetthiskidoutofhere?”youbarkinDr.Abbott’sgrown-upvoice.“Ican’tgetany

workdone!”“Don’tworry,Doc,”yousayasyouhangup.“I’llcomegetyouassoonasIdiscoveraformulato

makemycreepycousinsdisappear.”

THEEND

Thesafetypinclatterstotheground.Youmissed.Well,you’lljusthavetotryagain.Youplantyourfeet,twirltheropeoveryourhead,focusontheshelf,and…Thistimeitworks!Thepincatchesonthetopshelf.Withallyourstrength,youpullyourselfhand

overhandupthestring.Bythetimeyou’rehalfwayup,yourarmmusclesaretrembling.Abreezecausesthestringtoswing

outandawayfromtherefrigerator.Youswingbackandforth.Backandforth.Youholdontothestringtightlytillthebreezediesdown.Thenyoucontinueclimbing.

Atlastyoureachthetopshelf.Youletgoofyourrope-stringandgazearound.Oh,no!Thejarisgone!Allthat’sleftisthechocolate-cakebox.Nowwhatdoyoudo?Thiswasyourlastchance.

GotoPAGE49.

Whatishappeningtome?youwonder.AmIsick?DoIhaveaweirddisease?IfIkeepgettingbigger,I’mnotgoingtofitintoanyofmyclothes!

Youstopinthemiddleofthestreet.Aterriblethoughthasjustoccurredtoyou.Whatifyouneverstopgrowing?Youstandthere,worrying,andabuspullsuptothecurbandstops.Younoticeahugeadvertisement

plasteredonitsside:GETTINGTOOBIG?

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THESOLUTIONISATARNOLD’S!

WhoisArnold?youwonder.AndcouldArnold’sbetheanswertoyourproblem?

IfyougotoArnold’s,turntoPAGE61.Ifyouthinkyoushouldcontinuehome,gotoPAGE95.

YouhearthesharpCRACK!asthebatconnectswiththeball.Thenyouwatch,amazed,astheballtakesoff,highintheair,clearacrossthefield.

“Homerun!”someofthekidsshout.YounoticeBarney’smouthdropopen.Youdon’tmovefromtheplate.Youstareastheballcontinuesstraighttowardahouseonthenext

block.Youwatchindisbeliefastheballsmashesrightthroughtheenormousfrontwindow.Youdon’tevencarethatyoubrokethewindow.Thiswasyourfirsthomerunever!Asyouroundthe

basesyourteammatescheer.EvenBarneylooksimpressed.Youfeelgreat!Untilyouheartheunmistakablesoundofpolicesirens.Headedyourway.

GoontoPAGE112.

BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS

BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!

Youcan’tbelieveit!Youstareoutthewindowatthecreepycemeteryinyourgrandmother’sbackyard.Thegravesaremoving!You’resureofit.Thenyouturntoseeanevenmorefrighteningsight—yourgrandmother’shouseishauntedbyghosts.Lotsofghosts.Evilghostswhowantyou!

Whyarethecreepingcoffinscreeping?Doyoustaytofindoutordoyouracehome—eventhoughaterrifyingghostiswaitingforyouthere,too?

Ifyoustayyoudiscoverthatthecoffinsarespellingamessageinthegraveyard—amessagethatspellsoutyourdoom.UnlessyoucanfindtheghostwhoistheKeeperoftheSword,stealthesword,andplungeitintothegraveoftheMPG!What’sanMPG?You’llhavetofindoutforyourself—buthurry,theghostsaremovingcloserandcloser….

You’reincontrolofthisscaryadventure.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andhowterrifyingthescareswillbe!

StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.

SOTAKEADEEPBREATH.CROSSYOURFINGERS.ANDTURNTOPAGE1NOWTOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

“I’mbored,”youmoan.“I’msobored,Icouldeatflies.Justtoseehowtheytaste.”“Flieshavegerms,”yourgrandmotherreplies.Itisahot,stickydayinthemiddleofJuly.Youplopdownintoacreakyoldchairinyour

grandmother’skitchen.Yourparentsdroppedyouoffyesterday,beforetheyleftfortheirvacation.Andalreadyyoucoulddieofboredom.

Yourgrandmother’solddog,Sparkle,yawnsloudly.Hecrawlsunderthetable.Momentslater,hebeginstosnore.

“Iknowjusthowyoufeel,Sparkle,”yousay.Yousighloudly.“Whydon’tyougooutsideandfindsomethingtodo?”yourgrandmothersuggests.Shelooksupfrom

thepieshe’sbakingandnodstowardthebackyard.Gooutthere?youthink.Intoherbackyard?Noway.Youglanceoutthewindow.It’sprobablyninetydegreesintheshade,butyoushiver.Your

grandmother’shouseisrightinfrontofanoldcemetery.Rowsandrowsofold,crumblingtombstonessitjustbeyondtheedgeofherbackyard.

Butthat’snotwhatscaresyou.Whatscaresyouisthatthetombstoneshavebeenmoving!

GoontoPAGE2.

Younoticeditrightafteryouarrivedyesterday.Yousawthetombstonesfromyourbedroomwindowonthesecondfloor.Youcouldtellsomeofthe

graveshadcoolcarvingsonthem,soyoudecidedtogooutsideandtakeacloserlook.Butwhenyouenteredthegraveyard,somethingwasdifferent.Strange.Someofthegraveswereoutofplace.Nah,can’tbe,youtoldyourself.Gravesdon’tdisappear.Butstill…Fromyourbedroomwindow,youcouldhaveswornthereweresixorsevengravesinthebackrow.Nowtherewereonlythree!Nah….Youmusthavecountedwrong.Youdecidedtoforgetitandwenttobed.Butwhenyouwokeupthismorningandglancedoutthewindow,thecoffinshadmovedagain.Nowtherewereteninthebackrow!Andthemiddlerowsseemedmorecrowded.Italmostlooked

asifsomeofthegravesweremovingforwardandsomeofthegravesweremovingbackward,andtherewasabigtrafficjaminthecenter.

Thecoffinswererearrangingthemselves!Buthow?Andwhy?

GoontoPAGE3.

Yourgrandmothertapsyouontheshoulder.Shesnapsyououtofyourdaydream.“Goon,”shesays.“Goplayoutside.”

Outside?Outthere?Youshudderasyouglanceoutthekitchenwindowagain.“Oh,no,”youcry.“It’sdisappeared!”

“What’sdisappeared?”yourgrandmotherasks.“Thegravewiththeangelonit!”youscreech,pointingoutthewindow.“It’sgone!”Oneheadstoneinparticularcaughtyoureyeyesterday.Ithadanangelcarvingonit.Theangel

lookedsorealisticyoupracticallybelievedshecouldflyaway.Didshe?Yourgrandmotherpeersoutthekitchenwindow.“Don’tbeagoose,”shescoldsyou.“That

tombstoneisstillthere.”Youdon’tanswerher.Youcan’t.Yourheartispoundingcrazilyandyourmouthhasgonedry.You

boltoutthebackdoor.You’vegottoseeforyourself.Butinthegraveyardyoudiscoverthatyourgrandmotherisright.Thetombstonewiththeangelisn’t

gone.Itjustmoved!Ithadbeeninthelastrow.Nowit’supfront.I’mlosingmymind,youthink.Losingitcompletely.Orareyou?

FindoutonPAGE4.

Yourunbackintothehouseshouting.“Grandma!”youyell.“Thatgravewiththeangelonit—”Yourgrandmotherinterruptsyou.“Youdon’thavetoshout,dear.Theangel?”Shelooksupfromher

piecrust.“That’saniceone.Letmesee.Whowasburiedthere?Oh,yes.That’sElmyraMartin’sgrave.”Beforeyoucanexplainaboutthemovinggravestones,avoiceonthefarsideoftheroommakesyou

jump.“ThenameisElviraMartin,”thevoicesayssharply.“NotElmyra.Younevercouldgetmynameright!”

Yourmouthdropsopen.Astrangewomannowstandsinthedoorwaythatleadsfromthekitchenintothehall.

Averystrangewoman.Becausesheisn’taliving,breathingwoman.She’saghost!“Uh,Grandma…?”youbegin.Butfromthewayyourgrannyishummingtoherself,youcantellshe

doesn’thearorseethisscaryvisitor.“Anddon’tyoustareatme,youlittlewretch,”theghostsays,pointingatyou.“Oryou’llbesorry.”Whatareyougoingtodo?Suddenlyyou’relivinginahauntedhouse!

Ifyourunoutside,turntoPAGE18.Ifyoutalktotheghost,turntoPAGE25.

R.L.Stine’sbooksarereadallovertheworld.Sofar,hisbookshavesoldmorethan300millioncopies,makinghimoneofthemostpopularchildren’sauthorsinhistory.BesidesGoosebumps,R.L.StinehaswrittentheteenseriesFearStreetandthefunnyseriesRottenSchool,aswellastheMostlyGhostlyseries,TheNightmareRoomseries,andthetwo-bookthrillerDangerousGirls.R.L.StinelivesinNewYorkwithhiswife,Jane,andMinnie,hisKingCharlesspaniel.Youcanlearnmoreabouthimatwww.RLStine.com.

GoosebumpsbookseriescreatedbyParachutePress,Inc.Copyright©1996byScholasticInc.

Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyScholasticInc.,Publisherssince1920.SCHOLASTIC,GOOSEBUMPS,GOOSEBUMPSHORRORLAND,andassociatedlogosaretrademarksand/orregisteredtrademarksof

ScholasticInc.

Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partywebsitesortheircontent.

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinor

introducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthe

publisher.Forinformationregardingpermission,writetoScholasticInc.,Attention:PermissionsDepartment,557Broadway,NewYork,NY10012.

Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,

businessestablishments,events,orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.

Firstedition,June1996

e-ISBN978-0-545-84110-8