Chapter 1
When Photographs Predict Disaster
"Say cheese-and die!" This seemingly innocent phrase takes on a sinister meaning in R.L. Stine's spine-tingling tale from his iconic Goosebumps series. Since its publication, this particular story has become a cultural touchstone for an entire generation of readers who grew up with Stine's perfectly calibrated childhood frights. The book was so popular it was adapted into a memorable episode of the Goosebumps TV series, which starred a young Ryan Gosling before his Hollywood breakthrough. With over 300 million books sold worldwide, Stine has mastered the delicate art of frightening children just enough to thrill them without causing nightmares, making his works a gateway horror experience for countless readers. "Say Cheese and Die!" exemplifies his genius for taking ordinary objects-in this case, a camera-and transforming them into vessels of supernatural terror that resonate with young readers' everyday anxieties about fitting in, standing up to bullies, and being believed by adults.
Chapter 2
The Cursed Camera and an Unbelievable Tale
Greg Banks stands trembling before his English class, about to present what sounds like the most outlandish report ever given. After being tripped by the class clown Donny Greene, Greg nervously recounts a terrifying experience from the previous summer-how he and his friends discovered an evil camera hidden in the abandoned Coffman house. This wasn't just any old camera; it possessed the horrifying ability to capture photographs that predicted terrible future events. The snapshot of his father's car showed it wrecked before the accident happened. A photo of his friend Bird revealed him unconscious before he fell. Most disturbing of all, a picture of his friend Shari showed her in the process of disappearing-which then came true.
But Mr. Saur-nicknamed "Sourball" by students for his perpetual frown and sour disposition-isn't having any of it. He interrupts Greg's presentation with the "bad news" that he's receiving an F for his report. The teacher flatly refuses to believe Greg's supernatural tale, dismissing it as fiction despite Greg's insistence that every word is true. This failing grade isn't just embarrassing-it threatens Greg's summer plans to visit his cousins in California, a trip contingent on maintaining good grades.
When Greg desperately pleads for another chance, Mr. Saur issues a challenge: bring in this supposedly evil camera and prove it works. It's a seemingly simple solution, but one that fills Greg with dread. Should he risk retrieving the dangerous device from the creepy old house just to pass English? The camera's previous manifestations have already caused enough trauma and harm-is a passing grade worth potentially unleashing more disaster?
This dilemma perfectly encapsulates the recurring Goosebumps theme of adults who won't believe children when they encounter the supernatural. Greg faces not just the terror of the camera itself but the frustration of having his genuine experiences dismissed as childish fantasy. It's a situation that resonates deeply with young readers who often feel their concerns and experiences are minimized by the adults in their lives.
Chapter 3
Peer Pressure and Desperate Decisions
At lunch, Greg joins his friends Bird, Michael, and Shari, sharing his classroom humiliation and the failing grade. His friends immediately offer to back up his story to Mr. Saur, displaying the kind of loyalty that defines true friendship. But Greg knows their support won't matter-Mr. Saur has already made up his mind that the story is fabricated. Meanwhile, class bullies Brian and Donny seize the opportunity to mock Greg, mimicking taking photos while taunting "Say cheese-and die!" Their cruel imitation shows how quickly Greg's genuine trauma has become fodder for ridicule.
The conversation with his friends reveals the high stakes of Greg's dilemma. If he can't improve his English grade, he'll spend the summer alone in the dreary town of Pitts Landing while his friends enjoy their various vacation plans. The prospect of a lonely summer weighs heavily on Greg, making the risky option of retrieving the camera increasingly tempting despite its dangers.
Michael suddenly offers what seems like a brilliant solution: Greg's brother Terry works at a camera store and might be able to lend Greg a camera he could pretend is the evil one. This suggestion represents the path of least resistance-a harmless lie that would satisfy Mr. Saur without risking anyone's safety. Yet Greg can't stop thinking about the real camera hidden in the Coffman house.
The internal conflict Greg experiences is palpable. Part of him knows retrieving the evil camera is dangerous and potentially irresponsible. But another part-the part desperate to salvage his summer plans and prove he wasn't lying-keeps pulling him toward the riskier choice. This tension between what we know is right and what we want to do is something every reader can relate to, regardless of age.
As Greg walks home, Brian and Donny ambush him again, this time pretending to take his photo with a cheap yellow disposable camera. Though momentarily terrified, Greg warns them ominously that they might not be laughing tomorrow-a comment that foreshadows the consequences of treating the camera's power lightly. The bullies' mockery only strengthens Greg's resolve to prove his story true, pushing him closer to a decision that could have disastrous consequences.
Chapter 4
The Missing House and an Unexpected Encounter
That evening, Greg can barely focus during dinner as his family discusses photography and cameras, the very subject causing his anxiety. When his parents mention his cousins Pete and Alice in Yosemite who want him to visit for summer vacation-contingent on his grades-Greg's determination solidifies. After his parents leave to visit his sick aunt, he grabs his bike and flashlight, heading for the Coffman house under cover of darkness.
The journey to the abandoned house builds tension masterfully. The night is windy and dark as Greg pedals uphill through familiar neighborhoods that somehow seem more threatening after sunset. He passes a small wooded area that appears more sinister than it does during daylight hours. Each element of the familiar landscape transforms into something more menacing in the darkness, reflecting Greg's own inner anxiety about his mission.
When Greg finally reaches his destination, he's met with a shocking discovery-the old Coffman house has been completely demolished. Standing before the empty lot, he spots a "SOLD" sign, indicating new ownership. Though the house is gone, Greg wonders if the basement might still exist, perhaps with the camera still hidden inside. He climbs the weed-choked lawn past piles of debris-rotted shingles, broken glass, and discarded fixtures-all remnants of what was once a complete structure.
Where the house once stood, Greg finds only a deep square pit. Using his flashlight, he discovers the basement has been completely cleared out-even the concrete floor has been broken up and removed. As the realization sinks in that his quest may be futile, Greg turns to leave in disappointment. His summer plans seem ruined, and he'll never be able to prove his story to Mr. Saur. Just as this moment of defeat settles over him, a shrill voice cuts through the night: "Caught you! You're not going anywhere!"
The voice belongs to Jon, a boy about Greg's age who is brandishing a board as a weapon. The initial confrontation is tense until Jon explains he thought Greg was stealing from the property. Jon reveals his family bought the Coffman house but tore it down to build a new one. When Greg explains he's looking for a camera from the basement, Jon helpfully points him to a dumpster where the basement items were discarded.
Greg frantically searches through the trash, eventually finding the camera beneath a dead raccoon-a grotesque detail that emphasizes the camera's association with death and decay. Jon questions why Greg wants the old camera so badly and suggests showing it to his father, who knows about antiques. As they argue over the camera, Greg accidentally takes Jon's picture, setting in motion another terrible prediction.
Chapter 5
The Camera's Power Revealed
As the photo develops in the moonlight, it reveals a horrifying image: Jon howling in pain with a huge nail sticking through his foot. Jon laughs, assuming it's a joke camera with pre-loaded gag photos. Greg tries desperately to warn him that the camera is evil and its photos always come true, but Jon dismisses his concerns as ridiculous. With the casual confidence of someone who hasn't yet experienced the camera's power, Jon starts running up the hill to ask his father about letting Greg borrow the camera.
Moments later, Jon's scream pierces the night-the horrifying prediction has come true in record time. Greg rushes forward to find Jon holding his sneaker in agony, a huge nail pushed through his foot exactly as shown in the photograph. Jon's father and an architect quickly appear and carry the injured boy to their car, carefully wrapping the foot without removing the nail or sneaker to prevent further damage before medical treatment.
As they drive Jon to the hospital, Greg remains alone in the yard, overwhelmed with guilt for accidentally taking the photo. He finds the fallen snapshot and decides to use it as proof for Mr. Saur, believing this means he won't need to take any dangerous pictures at school. The incident with Jon serves as a powerful reminder of the camera's malevolent power and the responsibility that comes with possessing it.
This scene perfectly illustrates the camera's consistent pattern: it doesn't simply predict accidents but seems to cause them. The photos don't just show what might happen-they show what will happen, creating a sense of inevitable doom once a picture is taken. This raises questions about fate and free will that add philosophical depth to what might otherwise be a straightforward scary story. If the camera's predictions always come true, is there any way to escape your fate once your picture has been taken?
The next morning, Greg tries to hide the camera from Shari, but she immediately spots it and confronts him. Standing firmly in his path, she refuses to let him take "that evil thing" to school. Despite Greg's protests that he only wants to show Mr. Saur the camera to change his grade, Shari remains adamant. When Greg shows her the disturbing photo of Jon, she insists this proves her point about the camera's danger rather than supporting Greg's plan to use it as evidence.
As they struggle over the camera, it accidentally flashes in Shari's face, capturing her image. When Shari's photo develops, they discover it's just a negative-reversed colors instead of a normal picture. Thinking the camera might be malfunctioning, Shari seizes the opportunity to turn the camera on Greg and takes his picture. When Greg's photo develops, it shows him as enormously fat-the size of a bear, weighing hundreds of pounds. Though disturbed by the image, Greg insists he still needs to show the camera to Mr. Saur and tucks the embarrassing photo in his pocket, unaware that this image, like all the others, will soon become reality.
Chapter 6
Transformation Begins
Greg carefully hides the camera in his locker until Mr. Saur's class, not wanting Brian, Donny, or anyone else to get their hands on it. Throughout his morning classes, he mentally rehearses what he'll say to Mr. Saur, hoping the evidence will finally convince his teacher to change his grade. When English class finally arrives, Greg rushes to the classroom, eager to present his proof-only to discover Mr. Saur is absent and a substitute teacher, Ms. Rose, has taken his place.
Disappointed but determined to keep the camera safe, Greg asks permission to return it to his locker. As he heads down the empty hallway, he encounters Brian and Donny, who block his path and demand a "toll" to let him pass. Brian grabs the camera from Greg, holding it high out of reach while mocking him about his failed report on the "cursed" camera. Despite Greg's desperate pleas, Brian aims the camera at him, preparing to take a picture. The moment is tense-we know from experience that each photo leads to disaster. Just as Brian is about to snap the photo, Principal Mr. Grund interrupts them, unwittingly saving Greg from having his picture taken. Greg safely locks the camera in his locker, temporarily averting disaster.
After school, Greg walks home with Shari, feeling strangely tired and achy. His backpack feels too tight, as if someone had adjusted the straps. When Michael and Bird join them, they decide to go bike riding. At home, Greg changes into his baggy shorts, then performs his usual high-flying mounting trick onto his bicycle-only to have both tires instantly pop with a loud explosion. The incident eerily reminds Greg of the snapshot from the evil camera showing him as a giant monster. Could the transformation be beginning already?
The next morning confirms Greg's fears when he wakes to discover his pajamas suddenly too small-buttons popping off and seams ripping as his body expands. Looking in the mirror, Greg notices his face appears puffier and his shoulders broader. When his mother enters, she dismisses his concerns but admits he might need bigger pajamas, failing to recognize the supernatural nature of his rapid growth.
At school, Mr. Saur greets Greg by asking if he had a growth spurt. Greg tries showing him the camera, but gets interrupted when the principal arrives. During class, Greg desperately tries to present his evidence, but Mr. Saur insists on hearing Marci's report about her cat first. When Mr. Saur finally gives Greg one minute to prove his case, Greg discovers he's stuck in his desk chair-his body has grown larger while sitting in class, wedging him into the seat.
Chapter 7
Humiliation and Desperation
After several embarrassing attempts, Greg finally frees himself from the desk and brings the camera to Mr. Saur. He warns the teacher not to take any pictures with it and pulls out Jon's snapshot as evidence. Greg explains how the photo predicted Jon's foot injury, but Mr. Saur just bursts out laughing, refusing to believe Greg's story about the cursed camera. He dismisses the photo as a trick nail prop and gives Greg an F for his "fake" report, humiliating him in front of the class. Furious and embarrassed, Greg storms out of the classroom with the camera.
In the hallway, Greg runs into Shari, who is distressed because her skirt has fallen down. She reveals she's been shrinking, while Greg continues to grow larger-both transforming according to the photos taken of them. When they hear footsteps approaching, they try to flee, but Greg's jeans rip open, adding to his humiliation. After school, Greg reluctantly plays softball with his friends, who mock his tight clothes. He becomes so heavy he can't get up after sliding into second base. Back home, Greg discovers even his baggiest shorts are now skintight on his expanding body.
By evening, Greg has nearly tripled in size. His parents think it's an allergic reaction and debate which doctor to take him to. Despite Greg's pleas to stay home, they make him go to school the next day wearing his father's running suit, which is still tight on him. At school, most students are kind and avoid commenting on his condition-except for Mr. Saur, who cruelly jokes about Greg blocking the sunlight and sends him to the nurse. There, Greg finds Shari, who has shrunk dramatically. Her clothes hang off her tiny frame as she confirms what they both know: the camera's photos are causing their transformations.
Greg's father rents a van to transport his enormous son to Dr. Weiss's office. The kindly doctor runs tests but is completely stumped by Greg's condition. Back home, Greg calls Shari, whose voice has become tiny and weak. He tells her he's bringing the camera over to find a solution. As he's leaving the house, he spots Jon-the boy who originally owned the camera-walking up the driveway. Panicking because he needs the camera to save himself and Shari, Greg tries to back into the house to hide, but Jon sees him before he can escape.
Jon doesn't recognize the enormously transformed Greg and asks him if he knows where Greg lives, as he's looking for his camera. Greg seizes the opportunity and sends Jon on a wild goose chase to a nonexistent brick house several blocks away. After Jon leaves, Greg takes the camera to Shari's house, where he's shocked to see how tiny she has become-like a stick figure with her clothes hanging off her diminutive frame. After accidentally breaking her bed when he sits on it, they discuss their predicament and potential solutions.
Chapter 8
Desperate Measures and Unexpected Reversals
Greg suggests taking new pictures of themselves with the camera, hoping the new photos might show them normal again and reverse their conditions. It's a desperate plan born of increasing panic-Greg's skin has begun to itch intensely, and Shari is now so small she can barely hold the camera. Despite her initial reluctance, Shari agrees to try Greg's plan, seeing no other options.
Shari takes Greg's picture first, struggling to hold the now-heavy camera with her tiny arms. When the photo develops, they're horrified to discover that not only is Greg still enormous in the picture, but now his skin appears scaly and reptilian. To their horror, Greg's actual skin begins to itch and flake off in red, scaly patches that he can't stop scratching. The camera's power has escalated, making their situation even more dire.
Shari suggests they simply tear up all the photos, hoping this might return them to normal. But Greg worries this could make them disappear completely, and they decide it's too dangerous to try. The uncertainty about how the camera works adds to their predicament-they don't know the rules governing its power, making each attempted solution a gamble.
Greg has a sudden inspiration when Shari tells him to "think positive." He realizes they could try reversing the photos-making a positive from Shari's negative and a negative from his positive. They struggle to walk to Kramer's photo store where Greg's brother Terry works. After some convincing and the promise of two months' allowance, Terry agrees to reverse the photos for them. They wait anxiously outside the lab for half an hour until Terry emerges with the reversed prints. Despite their hopes, standing outside the store staring at the new photos for another half hour produces no change in their conditions. Greg despairs that they're "doomed" as more skin peels from his forehead.
The next morning brings an unexpected miracle. Greg wakes up and struggles to pull his huge body out of bed-only to go flying across the room! Looking in the mirror, he discovers he's completely back to normal-no lizard skin, no giant body. Overjoyed, he jumps on his bed celebrating wildly. His parents rush in, alarmed by the noise, and are shocked into speechlessness when they see Greg has returned to his normal size. They hug him tightly, claiming they knew all along it was just food poisoning or an allergic reaction-once again dismissing the supernatural explanation.
Greg hurries to Shari's house, finding her also back to normal. After celebrating with a wild dance, Greg suddenly announces he needs to get something from his room-the camera. Despite Shari's protests, he reveals his plan for revenge against Mr. Saur. The camera that caused them so much suffering will now be turned against the teacher who humiliated Greg and refused to believe him.
Chapter 9
The Cycle Continues
Greg ignores Shari's pleas and retrieves the evil camera, determined to take Mr. Saur's picture as revenge for calling him a liar and embarrassing him in class. As they walk to school, Greg becomes increasingly excited about his plan while Shari desperately tries to stop him. Her warnings go unheeded as Greg's desire for vindication overrides his caution.
When they arrive at school, Greg approaches Mr. Saur from behind, waiting for him to turn around. When the teacher notices Greg's normal appearance, Greg raises the camera, announcing he's going to prove it's evil. But before he can take the picture, Mr. Saur grabs the camera, exclaiming he'll take everyone's picture instead. Despite Greg's protests, Mr. Saur forces him into the shot with the entire class and snaps a photo, smugly asking what will happen now. Greg can only respond with a nervous "We'll see."
The story ends on this chilling note of uncertainty. What terrible fate awaits the entire class now that their picture has been taken with the evil camera? Will they all disappear? Transform? Meet with accidents? The open ending is particularly effective, leaving readers to imagine the consequences of Mr. Saur's reckless action.
This conclusion perfectly encapsulates R.L. Stine's gift for leaving his young readers with lingering chills. The evil camera-an object that should capture happy memories-instead predicts and possibly causes disaster. The story plays on universal childhood fears: not being believed by adults, losing control of your body, being humiliated in front of peers, and facing supernatural forces beyond your understanding.
"Say Cheese and Die!" demonstrates why Stine's Goosebumps series has remained popular for decades. By taking ordinary objects and situations and infusing them with supernatural terror, he creates stories that resonate with children's everyday anxieties while providing safe thrills. The next time you pick up a camera and someone says "Say cheese!" you might just hesitate for a moment, remembering the cursed camera that turned snapshots into prophecies of doom.
