The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night
(The Pumpkin Princess)

Gr 4-7--A young girl cleverly escapes her orphanage to find a loving stepfather in the Pumpkin King and discover a world she could have never imagined. Bibliophiles will feel and smell the disgusting mud she cakes on her pajamas while trying to escape the orphanage. The girl is eventually saved by the Pumpkin King, who tells her, "You shall come back with me, and I shall adopt you as my own child, where you will be the Pumpkin Princess." He names her Eve and takes her to his home, Hallowell. Eve's new home is filled with sinister yet charming characters, such as Ellie, the skeleton seamstress, and her equally bony husband, Franklin. There's also Vlad the vampire who craves human food, even though it makes him terribly sick. And, when Eve makes friends with a witch named Lyla, she is delighted to have a close friend for the first time in her life. But just as there are kind characters in Hallowell, Eve also discovers not so friendly fare: Evil vampire Baroness La'Ment is intent on getting Eve banished from the undead world. Humor, adventure, and pluck make this an enjoyable read. Relationships and suspense are solid throughout the narrative, and Vlad, Lyla, and Eve's friendship will especially resonate with young readers. VERDICT This delightfully chilling romp with a brave and clever orphan is a Halloween tale with heart, that would be a splendid read-aloud at Halloween.--Julie Shatterly

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

While making her latest escape from the orphanage in which she's lived ever since her biological parents' deaths, a white-cued tween encounters the mythical Pumpkin King, "the monster under your bed, the trick in the darkness, and the treat of it all." When she shows no fear, the Pumpkin King--a terrifying figure with a jack-o'-lantern for a head--adopts her, names her Eve (for All Hallow's Eve), and takes her home to the hidden Hallowell Valley, a refuge for all manner of spirits and monsters, where she is to be crowned the Pumpkin Princess. As the only human in town, Eve is an oddity, and not everyone is happy to welcome her. But she soon befriends fellow kids, which is fortuitous, because when dark forces threaten her new home and family, Eve will need her friends' help to save the day. Banbury weaves a cozy tale in this thoroughly delightful debut reminiscent of The Graveyard Book and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The growing bond between Eve and the Pumpkin King is tender and inspiring as the grumpy gourd-headed guardian does his best to rear his unsure yet headstrong daughter. Ages 8-12. Agent: Lauren Galit, LKG Agency. (Sept.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

A timeless tale of found family, full of Halloween charm.