Middle-Grade Review: Friiight Night (Goosebumps SlappyWorld #19) (R.L. Stine)

Kelly Crosby has moved from a very small town to a larger one in another state, where he starts a new, private school. While classmate Gordon is not helpful, directing him to the wrong places, some of the kids at Adams Prep take him to the boiler room of the school to meet the monster who lives there. They are all very proud of Skwerm, who is large and frightening, and much better that Burrrph, who is at their rival school. Kelly learns that all schools in the state have monsters in the boiler room to keep the equipment running and to serve as security providers, and the school plans activities around these monsters. The next one is Friiight Night, where one student who hasn’t done as well in the testing serves as the monster’s “date” and babysits the monster. Only 10% of these events end in the date being eaten, but Skwerm has taken a rather distinct dislike to Kelly, in part because of Gordon’s pranks, like telling Kelly that Skwerm likes eggs when he is really allergic to them. Kelly’s friend back home, Charlene, is concerned for his safety and begs to come visit for the event. Kelly’s parents think that being eaten by the monster would be somehow prestigious, and all worthwhile in the support of the school! Kelly disagrees. After thinking that another student might take his place, but being disappointed after her family schedules a vacation for that week, Kelly makes plans to ensure his safety. Feeling that Skqerm might be lonely, he enlists his friends into kidnapping Burrph so that the two monsters can hang out together and not be lonely. Will this work, or will it end in a slime and ooze soaked bloodfest?