R.L. Stine, the famous children’s author, has apparently referenced bitcoin in his latest novel, 2018 Goosebumps: Haunted Halloween Movie Novel, which was released several weeks ago. It should be noted that this appears to be released in coordination with a major motion picture Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, released yesterday by major film studio Sony Pictures with a budget of $35 million. This is a sequel to the 2015 movie Goosebumps, which was both a critical and commercial success.
Since the book was written for children, the reference clearly was surprising, and was revealed in a Reddit thread recently by a user who was reading his child’s book. The particular passage involves two children who discover a secret passage, and then a crate. The characters, Sam and Sonny, muse about what treasures might be contained inside. Sam states that it might be “gold, diamonds, and bitcoins”. The reference is clear, with Sonny actually explaining the nature of bitcoin in his response, stating, “Bitcoin are a crypto-currency. They’re not actual coin, they are virtual coins”. The character then even references the fact that bitcoin are mined.
It should be noted that R.L. Stine is not your average children’s author. He has been called the “Stephen King” of children’s literature, and his bibliography includes hundreds of books, many of which have been quite successful. He is most known for the immensely successful Goosebumps series, but has contributed to other series, as well. His books have sold over 400 million worldwide and was named as the best-selling children’s book author of all time in 2003 by The Guinness Book of World Records. RL Stine also is not just a children’s book author, as he has also served as a novelist, short story writer, screenwriter, television producer, and executive editor, as well.
