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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
AbouttheAuthor
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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?
CLOTHESSEEMTOBESHRINKING?
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
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Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,
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Firstedition,June1996
e-ISBN978-0-545-84110-8