The 12 Screams of Christmas

Initially I thought this was a Christmas collection because of the title so it was a bummer to find out that it was a single story. However, I did enjoy the story. There's something about R.L. Stine's writing that hooks you in. I love the cliffhangers at the end of each chapter because they add to the suspense and anxiety. There was a part in the book that totally grossed me out even as an adult so I could imagine this being frightening for young readers. I wish it was a little more “Christmas themed,” but I dug the originality of the story. Cute, chilling Christmas tale, perfect for children.

Obviously I have been aggressively collecting the Goosebumps books lately, but this one was one I had actual bought to read this Christmas season long before the collecting started.  
The main character, Kate, can see ghosts. She always has been able too, not that she likes it. The kids at school make fun of her for it, like she can help it. Regardless, she has decided to try out for her school play, which will be a haunted Christmas story called ‘the 12 screams of Christmas.' The music teacher takes them on a weekend getaway so that they can get in the right mood and mindset for the play...an old creepy, haunted house. They don't realize that the house is actually haunted though! Although Kate can see them. Some ghostly mayhem ensues! 
As always with reading these as an adult, they are mostly silly and never scary, but I can see how over time Stine got a little darker. The opening of this one is pretty dark! A young girl drowns in a well while her family cries and can do nothing to help...
Personally a 4/5*. Enjoyable, quick, and all about family in a creepy Christmasy way.