The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night

Starred review from June 17, 2024
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.

June 7, 2024

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.

July 15, 2024
An orphan winds up in the strange, spooky land of the undead and discovers the home and family she's always craved. One Halloween, Eve attempts yet another escape from her awful orphanage and comes across someone completely unexpected in the forest--the Pumpkin King. He's imposing and has a jack-o'-lantern pumpkin as a head, but Eve, who's lanky and cued white, refuses to feel fear. Impressed by her verve, he offers to adopt her and make her the Pumpkin Princess of Hallowell Valley, a hidden land populated by all sorts of undead creatures, including vampires, werewolves, and witches. Eve has a lot to learn about her unusual new home, but for the first time ever, she has friends to help. But not everyone in Hallowell is happy about having a living being among them. There are secret, nefarious plans brewing, and in order for Eve to save her new home, she'll have to confront her fears. This spooky, autumnal take on the classic human-in-a-magical-world scenario is a delightful blend of eerie and heartwarming. The original world feels cozy with its lovable, oddball characters, while the untrustworthy baddies make the tale more exciting. The Pumpkin King is absolutely adorable as a father figure, and his relationship with Eve is precious. The mystery element has surprising twists, but it's Eve's finding a place to belong and be loved that will ensnare readers. Rockefeller's spooky spot art opens each chapter. A timeless tale of found family, full of Halloween charm.(Fantasy. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 20, 2024
Grades 4-7 Eve has spent much of her young life running away, be it from a cruel orphanage, an identity that never felt like her own, or loneliness and fear. Her repeated efforts to escape this dreary existence finally find success when she meets the Pumpkin King, an imposing figure with a jack-o'-lantern head, who helps Eve not only by giving her a proper name and a royal title but also by spiriting her away to the lands of the undead. In the bewitching Hallowell Valley, Eve hopes to find friendship, family, and a place to finally call home--though not without first facing the many challenges that come with bearing the noble rank of Pumpkin Princess. Full of wonderful world building, clever conceits, and autumnal abundance, debut author Banbury has written a cozy, heartwarming story that has all the makings of a seasonal staple. Reminiscent of books like Ray Bradbury's The Halloween Tree and Joseph Fink's The Halloween Moon (2021), readers will find similar festive delights here.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.