How I Learned to Fly

infobox Book | | name = How I Learned to Fly
orig title =
translator =


author = R. L. Stine
cover_artist = T. Jacobus
country = United States
language = English
series = "Goosebumps"
classification = Fiction
genre = Horror fiction, Children's literature
publisher = Scholastic
release_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.

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.

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. Another story similar to this is the "Goosebumps 2000" book "Brain Juice" where two kids gain super powers (in the case of "Brain Juice," it's superintelligence) from a strange potion and are now hounded by constant media attention and requests from government officials who want them for experiments.
*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.
*In one chapter, it says Jack waited for Wilson and Jack when it was supposed to say Jack waited for Mia, and Wilson.

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 spends half of the year in Brentwood (an affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles County) with her real mother.

*Mia Montez hosts a party in which the children play the popular party game: Twister.

*Jack adds that his favorite superheroes are Spiderman, Sub-Mariner, Superman, and the X-Men.

*Jack's parents travel to Anaheim to meet a potential new client. This area is south of Los Angeles County and is part of Orange County.

*Jack appears in People, TV Guide, Time and The Wall Street Journal at the peak of his fame.

*Jack flies to open a new restaurant in Santa Monica, the next city down from Malibu.

*The race between Jack and Wilson is to begin at the bottom of the Hollywood Hills and terminates at the Hollywood Sign.

*At the end of the story Ethan, Ray, and Jack plan to go to a Lakers game.

Extra Information

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