Note: Despite its title, neither the characters or setting from this book are featured in Goosebumps Series 2000 #19: Return to Ghost Camp.
Alex and Harry Altman
Harry (left) and Alex (right)
The main characters of Ghost Camp, Harry and Alex are brothers who're spending the summer at Camp Spirit Moon. As the only non-veteran campers, they find themselves the targets of some... odd pranks by the other kids. For a series that really likes to focus on Sibling Rivalry, the two of them strangely get along quite well.
- Annoying Younger Sibling: Averted with Alex.
- Born in the Wrong Century: Alex does not like any of the current music that other children his age like, and only truly likes songs by The Beach Boys and The Beatles.
- Compelling Voice: Alex has an amazing singing voice for someone so young, and everyone knows it. So, at the end, when Alex's singing is suddenly off-key, Harry realizes it's because Alex is being possessed by Elvis.
- Demonic Possession: Alex ends up getting possessed by Elvis. When Harry realizes this, Elvis begs him not to tell anyone, and the book ends without revealing if Elvis ever left Alex.
- Designated Victim: They're the butt of some disturbing pranks because they're the new kids. And also because they're the only kids who are alive.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: Lucy revealing to Harry the truth about the camp and begging Harry to let her use his body is disturbing similar to a discussion one would have about engaging in sex, to the point that when Lucy tries to possess Harry without his permission it comes across as a metaphor for sexual assault.
- The Eeyore: Alex can be moody.
- Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Subverted, in that said roles aren't really needed for the two. While Harry sometimes takes the lead because he's older, he doesn't have to reign in Alex because Alex doesn't act like an annoying pest.
- Mind Rape: Lucy tries this on Harry, Elvis ends up succeeding on Alex.
- Only Sane Man: Harry and Alex both end up being this throughout the majority of Ghost Camp because of how the other campers treat them.
- Puppy Love: Subverted. Harry appears to be heading this way with Lucy, and then she tries to take over his body.
- Sibling Rivalry: Averted. They get along well, which might be because Harry's only a year older than Alex.
Camp Spirit Moon Ghosts
A rustic summer camp the Altman brothers visit. Run by the jovial Uncle Marv, the veteran campers have a rather strange sense of humor and enjoy screwing with Harry and Alex. Unfortunately, they're a lot more twisted than they appear...
- And I Must Scream: Spending eternity trapped in a summer camp? Terrible. Being turned into fog if you try to leave on your own? Holy shit.
- Anti-Villain: They're ghosts who just want to leave the camp so they can try to leave, but they also enjoy pulling sadistic jokes on innocent people and will not take no for an answer if someone refuses to hand their body over.
- Clap Your Hands If You Believe: When Harry and Alex encounter the grotesque forest monster from Uncle Marv's story, they manage to get rid of it by saying they don't believe it exists. They try this on the campers, but it turns out the monster was a trick the campers pulled on them to let their guard down.
- Creepy Child: The campers enjoy pulling such lovely pranks like stabbing their hands, feet, and necks, and pretending to drown.
- Dead All Along: Every single person at Camp Spirit Moon except for the Altmans have been dead for years.
- The Eeyore: Lucy is the moodiest of the campers.
- Freudian Excuse: The campers screw with Harry and Alex because they have virtually no other way to stay entertained, being trapped at the camp for eternity and all.
- Hollywood Tone-Deaf: Elvis has a horrible singing voice. When this is how Harry realizes Elvis is possessing Alex, Elvis promises he'll never sing again if Harry leaves him alone.
- Large and in Charge: Uncle Marv.
- Mind Rape: When you read about Lucy trying to take over Harry's body, it takes on a much more disturbing subtext if you're older.
- Off with His Head!: During a night game of soccer, Harry sees a girl camper's head get knocked off by a soccer ball. Alex tells Harry he saw the same thing.
- Puppy Love: It seems Lucy is going this way with Harry. And then she tries possessing his body.
- Self-Disposing Villain: After cornering the Altmans, the campers and the counselors get into a fight over who gets to leave, turning into a Big Ball of Violence before disappearing... except Elvis.
- Troll: So much. Not just from their pranks but from the vicious way they trick Harry and Alex into thinking they have a way to beat them.
