Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Third spooky fantasy volume has scares, mild violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
SHADOW OVER THE PUMPKIN QUEEN tells how Sally Skellington of Halloween Town has to find and rescue her husband Jack, the Pumpkin King. Jack's been kidnapped by a dark, mysterious prince and no one knows why, or where he's been taken. Worse still, Jack's not the only kidnapping victim. Other citizens of Halloween Town start to disappear during magical storms, and Sally learns that other holiday towns and realms are missing people, too. In order to have a chance at harnessing the magical power needed to find and rescue everyone from the dark prince, Sally will have to perform three impossible tasks: fly without wings, solve an unsolvable maze, and catch a star. Accomplishing these tasks will take Sally to places she never imagined. She'll have to confront, overcome, or enlist the help of people and creatures she never could have imagined either. All the while, the clock's ticking and time is running out for Sally to do the impossible.
Is It Any Good?
Older tween and teen fans will enjoy this dark and thrilling third installment of this book series that started in The Nightmare Before Christmas movie and continued in the book Long Live the Pumpkin Queen. The atmosphere in Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen is still moody and pleasantly scary, and Sally Skellington remains the hero. Author Megan Shepherd puts together exciting action sequences that keep the pages turning, though the story sags in the middle when the often-repeated cycle of problem-struggle-solution repeats itself more times than it seems are needed. But the focus returns to Sally's journey not only to save the day, but to discover that she can be a great leader, especially when she leads in her own way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the scariness and violence in Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen. Is there too much? Why do we sometimes like to be scared by books, movies, and other media?
Sally shows courage, perseverance, and empathy. How do these character traits help them to achieve their goals? Can you think of times you've used any of these in real life?
How does teamwork help Sally and the others find Jack and the other missing people? How do you think she and Dahlia were able to team up with someone like Dr. Finkelstein? Was it worth it?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy ( Magic , Monsters ) , Holidays ( Halloween )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : July 6, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 416
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : July 8, 2026
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