How I Learned To Fly

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How I Learned to Fly
Author R. L. Stine
Cover artist T. Jacobus
Country United States
Language English
Series Goosebumps
Genre(s) Horror fiction, Children's literature
Publisher Scholastic
Publication date February 1997
Media type Print (Paperback)
Pages 125
ISBN 0-590-56889-2
Preceded by Beware, The Snowman
Followed by Chicken Chicken

How I Learned To Fly is the 52nd installment in the Goosebumps series, written by R. L. Stine.

Contents

[edit] Plot Overview

In Malibu, California, Jack Johnson is constantly defeated at everything by his competitive rival, Wilson Schlamme. One day, when particularly frustrated at Wilson, Jack finds a book in an abandoned house which teaches how to fly by way of a magic mixture.

Jack takes the book home and follows the instructions in it. Not believing that the recipe is genuine, he is about to throw it away, but he sees that the mixture really works when his dog flies away after eating some of it. Jack believes that being able to fly will prove once and for all that he is better than Wilson, but is crushed to find out that Wilson stole the book and also followed the instructions to fly. Wilson, being a natural show-off, reveals that he and Jack can fly, and soon they are both famous and constantly pestered by the media, as well as being the subjects of constant scientific investigations. (Jack's father is eager for him to be famous, because he is a talent agent and is making a lot of money from his son.) Wilson loves being a hero, but Jack isn't seeking attention and feels that fame has ruined his life.

During a televised race in Hollywood, Jack pretends to have lost his ability to fly. He sees this as the only way out of his hectic lifestyle, and the only way to return to a normal life with Mia, a girl he has a crush on. Meanwhile, Wilson's popularity grows and he has little time to spend with his friends, since he is always working. Jack considers himself lucky to not be famous anymore but still be able to fly, and he knows that for the first time in his life, he has finally beaten Wilson. He still flies occasionally at night to enjoy the experience, but hasn't told anyone his secret.

[edit] Trivia

  • "How I Learned to Fly" is notable for being one of the only books in the Goosebumps series that contains no elements of the macabre (though, the mixture Jack uses to learn how to fly is said to be magical). Instead, it touches on themes of unrequited love and the expectation to succeed placed on children in contemporary American culture. This makes it a favorite among those who grew up reading Stine's satirical novels.
  • Because of the mention of flight, the book also draws towards the idea of heroism since many superheros are known to possess that ability. This is also mentioned in the book where Jack claims that drawing an image of Superman in his sketchbook reminds him of flying.

[edit] Cultural & Geographical References

  • The front cover shows Jack wearing what appears to be red Chucks.
  • Jack, Wilson, Mia, Ray and Ethan attend Malibu Middle School, a real subdivision of Malibu High School.
  • Wilson's dog's name is Terminator. This is probably derived from the 1984 film: The Terminator.
  • Mia Montez hosts a party in which the children play the popular party game: Twister.
  • At the end of the story; Ethan, Ray, and Jack plan to go to a Lakers game.

[edit] Extra Information

On the back cover, Wilson Schlamme's name is misspelled as "Wilson Schlame."