One of the most successful run of children’s books in the 1980s were the Fighting Fantasy gamebook series. Heavily influenced by the Dungeons & Dragons craze at the time, these activity ‘novels’ allowed the reader to shape their own destiny and navigate their way through a story making decisions along the way (and usually fighting monsters!). Perfect for reluctant readers, this hybrid style of book and game was very fashionable and spawned many imitators. Like most crazes though, they gradually fell out of popularity…and out of print.
Fortunately, in 2018 Scholastic began re-releasing the greatest hits of the series, alongside with some new original gamebooks written by well-known figures like Charlie Higson and Rhianna Pratchett. A whole new generation of kids can now immerse themselves in out-of-this-world adventures, and be subsequently inspired to read for pleasure and excitement. The Fighting Fantasy series has been a gateway to reading for fifty years – long may it continue!
