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The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief
Recently nominated for a 2012 Bram Stoker Award®
As the townsfolk sleep, something creeps into the neighborhood. Hidden in shadows, its presence is as old as time itself, its intent not born of goodness.
Nick, a teenager who fancies himself a detective, wakes to find his carved masterpiece missing. Now a mystery is afoot, and Nick has his first assignment, to find out who or what is snatching up the town’s pumpkins and why.
Unfortunately, as with all great detectives, obstacles stand in Nick’s way—the neighborhood bully and his cronies, and the strange old lady and her dog who share the run-down house at the end of Nick’s block. As Nick investigates, an urban legend unravels . . . .
The Legend of The Pumpkin Thief.
Nick fears the legend as he embarks on the most dangerous adventure of his young life. Collecting clues, getting ever closer to the true nature of evil, he learns that curiosity comes with a high price.
As the townsfolk sleep, something creeps into the neighborhood. Hidden in shadows, its presence is as old as time itself, its intent not born of goodness.
Nick, a teenager who fancies himself a detective, wakes to find his carved masterpiece missing. Now a mystery is afoot, and Nick has his first assignment, to find out who or what is snatching up the town’s pumpkins and why.
Unfortunately, as with all great detectives, obstacles stand in Nick’s way—the neighborhood bully and his cronies, and the strange old lady and her dog who share the run-down house at the end of Nick’s block. As Nick investigates, an urban legend unravels . . . .
The Legend of The Pumpkin Thief.
Nick fears the legend as he embarks on the most dangerous adventure of his young life. Collecting clues, getting ever closer to the true nature of evil, he learns that curiosity comes with a high price.
- GenresHorrorMysteryParanormal
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2012
4 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Charles Day
40 books79 followersCharles Day is the Horror Writer Association's Mentor Program Chairperson, Co-Chair for the NY/LI Chapter, and a member of the HWA Library committee. He is also a member of the New England Horror Writers Association, the American Library Association and the Young Adult Library Services Association.
He is also the Bram Stoker Award® nominated author of THE LEGEND OF THE PUMPKIN THIEF. His 2013 published books are the recent release of REDEMPTION, co-authored with Mark Taylor, DEEP WITHIN, and the first book in his Adventures of Kyle McGerrt trilogy, a YA western heroic fantasy, THE HUNT FOR THE GHOULISH BARTENDER.
His forthcoming publications and projects in development for 2014 include a comic book series based on the ADVENTURES OF KYLE McGERRT trilogy, THE LEGEND OF THE PUMPKIN THIEF comics series, and his first middle-grade series, THE UNDERDWELLERS, and his third YA novel, IMMORTAL FAMILY.
On the publishing business side of things, Charles is the co-founder with Taylor Grant with Evil Jester Comics and founder/owner of Evil Jester Press and Hidden Thoughts Press (mental wellness collections,)
He’s also an artist and illustrator who is passionate about creating the many characters he’s brought to life in his published or soon to be published works. You can find out more about his upcoming writing projects, check out his illustrations and art, or find out what he’s cooking up next with that evil dude-in-the-box, the evil Jester, by visiting his Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/charles.day.92
He is also the Bram Stoker Award® nominated author of THE LEGEND OF THE PUMPKIN THIEF. His 2013 published books are the recent release of REDEMPTION, co-authored with Mark Taylor, DEEP WITHIN, and the first book in his Adventures of Kyle McGerrt trilogy, a YA western heroic fantasy, THE HUNT FOR THE GHOULISH BARTENDER.
His forthcoming publications and projects in development for 2014 include a comic book series based on the ADVENTURES OF KYLE McGERRT trilogy, THE LEGEND OF THE PUMPKIN THIEF comics series, and his first middle-grade series, THE UNDERDWELLERS, and his third YA novel, IMMORTAL FAMILY.
On the publishing business side of things, Charles is the co-founder with Taylor Grant with Evil Jester Comics and founder/owner of Evil Jester Press and Hidden Thoughts Press (mental wellness collections,)
He’s also an artist and illustrator who is passionate about creating the many characters he’s brought to life in his published or soon to be published works. You can find out more about his upcoming writing projects, check out his illustrations and art, or find out what he’s cooking up next with that evil dude-in-the-box, the evil Jester, by visiting his Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/charles.day.92
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 30, 2017
I was given a copy for review
I decided to read it out of curiosity , but i probably shouldn't have
the writing was nice and the story is okay as well , but just not for me . i found it boring and nothing in it was interesting .
i didn't feel like it was engaging enough , and the characters are very dull
you can't get into the story no matter how far you read
it is a kids book after all ...( i'm not sure i would even recommend it to kids)
I decided to read it out of curiosity , but i probably shouldn't have
the writing was nice and the story is okay as well , but just not for me . i found it boring and nothing in it was interesting .
i didn't feel like it was engaging enough , and the characters are very dull
you can't get into the story no matter how far you read
it is a kids book after all ...( i'm not sure i would even recommend it to kids)
March 24, 2012
My initial thought upon finishing this book? "That was fun!" In my opinion, I don't have that response to YA books as often as I would like.
The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief was an entertaining tale that could easily be enjoyed by a large audience, from middle grade readers, who would find both the legend and the characters engaging, to adults, like me, who would delight in the spooky joy of Halloween seen through (slightly) younger eyes. Part horror, part mystery, all Young Adult fun, The Legend of the Pumpkin recalls the folklore-filled tales of every childhood, passed on to every generation. For some of us, the origin of these tales comes from works such as Washington Irving's classic "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," and I would recommend The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief to those in search of similar, if more light-hearted, works.
I loved the relationship between the detective-in-the-makings main character, Nick, and his sassy little sister, Samantha, and I would enjoy revisiting them, their friends, and even Lou, the bully, again. I look forward to reading more longer works by Charles Day.
The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief was an entertaining tale that could easily be enjoyed by a large audience, from middle grade readers, who would find both the legend and the characters engaging, to adults, like me, who would delight in the spooky joy of Halloween seen through (slightly) younger eyes. Part horror, part mystery, all Young Adult fun, The Legend of the Pumpkin recalls the folklore-filled tales of every childhood, passed on to every generation. For some of us, the origin of these tales comes from works such as Washington Irving's classic "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," and I would recommend The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief to those in search of similar, if more light-hearted, works.
I loved the relationship between the detective-in-the-makings main character, Nick, and his sassy little sister, Samantha, and I would enjoy revisiting them, their friends, and even Lou, the bully, again. I look forward to reading more longer works by Charles Day.
June 17, 2012
Originally posted at: http://aurorareviews.blogspot.com/201...
Take two parts scary, one part mystery, and add a dash of delight, and there you have ‘The Legend of the Pumkin Thief. This YA novel is an unexpectedly fresh take on Halloween, and is sure to both intrigue and thrill readers (and although it says Young Adult, teens on up will find this a good read.)
That Nick, the main character, is himself a dedicated reader immediately helps the reader identify with him. He likes mysteries and when a minor one falls in his lap (who took the family’s carved-out pumpkin?) I was delighted that his immediate inclination was to solve it, just like a mystery in a novel. His suspicions quickly connect the old legend of the town’s pumpkin thief to their own missing pumpkin. And why would anyone steal pumpkins? Well, it turns out they provide an important, if almost unknown service…and everyone’s safety is involved.
The approaching Halloween and familiar activities like costume parties contrast with an actual danger. The horror, unleashed in an orange mist, is something teenage Nick must somehow stop… and mystery fans especially will love that what started as a light-hearted investigation proves both important and dangerous!
Throughout, characters are strong and believable: Nick’s interaction with his family (bratty sister, “unfair” parents) are things we can all identify with, as well. Who doesn’t remember impatience, feeling frustrated or unfairly treated? Who didn’t want to keep reading, rather than show up at the dinner table? Other characters, like the teacher who ran homeroom in military-discipline style, were equally interesting and believable. Unfortunately, brief point of view changes interrupted the flow of the story (conversations among students Lou, Norm, Trevor and Ralph prove revealing to the reader, but sort of plop into the story.) Shifts to Samantha go more smoothly, but this reader couldn’t help feeling the story would have been more cohesive without those changes.
Mr. Day’s style is that of a nice comfortable storyteller. He engages the reader even through backstory. The pace of the novel moves from fast-forward to reflection and back, with ease. This is a super Halloween read.
Take two parts scary, one part mystery, and add a dash of delight, and there you have ‘The Legend of the Pumkin Thief. This YA novel is an unexpectedly fresh take on Halloween, and is sure to both intrigue and thrill readers (and although it says Young Adult, teens on up will find this a good read.)
That Nick, the main character, is himself a dedicated reader immediately helps the reader identify with him. He likes mysteries and when a minor one falls in his lap (who took the family’s carved-out pumpkin?) I was delighted that his immediate inclination was to solve it, just like a mystery in a novel. His suspicions quickly connect the old legend of the town’s pumpkin thief to their own missing pumpkin. And why would anyone steal pumpkins? Well, it turns out they provide an important, if almost unknown service…and everyone’s safety is involved.
The approaching Halloween and familiar activities like costume parties contrast with an actual danger. The horror, unleashed in an orange mist, is something teenage Nick must somehow stop… and mystery fans especially will love that what started as a light-hearted investigation proves both important and dangerous!
Throughout, characters are strong and believable: Nick’s interaction with his family (bratty sister, “unfair” parents) are things we can all identify with, as well. Who doesn’t remember impatience, feeling frustrated or unfairly treated? Who didn’t want to keep reading, rather than show up at the dinner table? Other characters, like the teacher who ran homeroom in military-discipline style, were equally interesting and believable. Unfortunately, brief point of view changes interrupted the flow of the story (conversations among students Lou, Norm, Trevor and Ralph prove revealing to the reader, but sort of plop into the story.) Shifts to Samantha go more smoothly, but this reader couldn’t help feeling the story would have been more cohesive without those changes.
Mr. Day’s style is that of a nice comfortable storyteller. He engages the reader even through backstory. The pace of the novel moves from fast-forward to reflection and back, with ease. This is a super Halloween read.
March 31, 2012
Review: Legend of the Pumpkin Thief, YA Novel by Charles Day
As I read this novel, I found myself becoming more and more engrossed with each turn of the page. As an adult I didn't know if this was a book I would really "get into," but the writing style of Charles Day had me hooked from page one. Flashes of my own childhood Halloweens, bullies, creepy old folk and teenage awkwardness slithered out of the deepest regions of my memories and came back to haunt, scare and entertain me.
The main character, Nick, is a likable young fellow still well endowed with childlike imagination, and aspirations. With his many teenage dramas, he manages to mature and evolve by the end of the story - without losing his dreams.
Every time I thought I knew where the story was leading, I found myself in awe of the many twists and turns, never leading to where I thought.
Legend of the Pumpkin Thief took me on an emotional journey of fear, anxiety, curiosity and hope that connected me with many of the book's characters.
I highly recommend this book to adults and YA alike!
Jo-Anne Russell
Author of The Nightmare Project
As I read this novel, I found myself becoming more and more engrossed with each turn of the page. As an adult I didn't know if this was a book I would really "get into," but the writing style of Charles Day had me hooked from page one. Flashes of my own childhood Halloweens, bullies, creepy old folk and teenage awkwardness slithered out of the deepest regions of my memories and came back to haunt, scare and entertain me.
The main character, Nick, is a likable young fellow still well endowed with childlike imagination, and aspirations. With his many teenage dramas, he manages to mature and evolve by the end of the story - without losing his dreams.
Every time I thought I knew where the story was leading, I found myself in awe of the many twists and turns, never leading to where I thought.
Legend of the Pumpkin Thief took me on an emotional journey of fear, anxiety, curiosity and hope that connected me with many of the book's characters.
I highly recommend this book to adults and YA alike!
Jo-Anne Russell
Author of The Nightmare Project
March 23, 2012
Charles Day (and his Evil Little Jester) delivered one of the most funny and enticing tales I’ve ever read. In the style of American folktale tradition, he developed a mystery story full of symbolism and what it means to grow up. The titular boogeyman deserves to be added on the ever-growing list of seasonal villains, and his main character (Nick) can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other renowned young detectives of YA novels.
Day’s style grabbed me from the start, transporting me into his believable fantasy world with an excellent suspension of disbelief.
I’m sure one day our kids will read this fantastic tale to their kids, along with Irving’s classic, or maybe, they will download it directly into their brain at Halloween.
Day’s style grabbed me from the start, transporting me into his believable fantasy world with an excellent suspension of disbelief.
I’m sure one day our kids will read this fantastic tale to their kids, along with Irving’s classic, or maybe, they will download it directly into their brain at Halloween.
April 26, 2012
Amongst the daily routine of Nick's conventional family, Mr. Day manages to evoke -- almost uncannily -- a rich and lingering déjà vu; a yearning for simpler and kinder things. At least he did for this old man! And Mr. Day achieves this with a smooth and deliberate austerity that is pleasing to the ear, and certainly to the heart. Read it to your children, your grandchildren, as it was meant. A truly magical story! Then read it to yourself. All by yourself. Cozy up in a chair with a nice cup of hot cocoa. With marshmallows, of course. Then experience once again what it was like to have the simple grandeur of life as your chaperone. Like it used to be, when anything was possible. Like it should always be. Thank you, Charles.
June 10, 2012
This was a first-reads book. Update: I loaned this book to my 12-year-old niece and she really liked it!! So, I am upgrading my rating to a four when it lets me. This was a fun, easy read which I really appreciated!! I'm headed into the week of finals at college and this book was a great break! I liked Baxter and Mrs. Needlewhitter. I will be passing this book around to others in my family to read. So, why did I not give it a higher rating? There were a few grammatical errors- not a big deal- and just in general the storyline seemed a little shallow. It felt like there could have been a little bit more. But it's been ages since I last read a YA book and don't really have a baseline to compare it against. Don't be suprised if later on down the road my rating gets changed to four stars.
March 26, 2012
"The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief" by Charles Day is a quick, entertaining read with wonderful characterization. I could easily picture the neighborhood, the school, the creepy house in the woods, and the many interesting characters that inhabit these places throughout the story. Nick and his sister Samantha are a fun duo, but Nick's adversaries are just as fun to read. There is some mild cursing in this tale, but I personally found it very appropriate and thought it enriched the bully characters as well as Nick's inner monologue. I look forward to learning more about the Pumpkin Thief in subsequent tales by Charles Day.
September 28, 2016
I was provided a copy of The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief from Month9 Books in return for an honest review.
Some describe this as a YA novel but I think it would most appeal to middle graders and upper elementary kids. The story is set in a small town in New York State. The main character, Nick, is supposed to be 17 but a conveys the image of a younger boy. The story has an anachronistic feel to it which I liked. There was a mood of Halloweens of the past. The kids don't all have cell phones and a land line is needed when there is an emergency. They don't seem as cynical or sophisticated as one would expect now. The story combines a mystery, a really spooky haunted house and pumpkin thief, and family and school dynamics. The version I received was in need of some editing.
There was some mild cursing which didn't bother me in the slightest, but I could see some parents getting their knickers in a twist over it.
Some describe this as a YA novel but I think it would most appeal to middle graders and upper elementary kids. The story is set in a small town in New York State. The main character, Nick, is supposed to be 17 but a conveys the image of a younger boy. The story has an anachronistic feel to it which I liked. There was a mood of Halloweens of the past. The kids don't all have cell phones and a land line is needed when there is an emergency. They don't seem as cynical or sophisticated as one would expect now. The story combines a mystery, a really spooky haunted house and pumpkin thief, and family and school dynamics. The version I received was in need of some editing.
There was some mild cursing which didn't bother me in the slightest, but I could see some parents getting their knickers in a twist over it.
September 21, 2016
Nick, an aspiring detective and self-proclaimed protector of the neighborhood, has the world's most complicated Halloween ahead of him. A few things on his list: attempt to discover who stole all the pumpkins in the neighborhood, makes sense of an urban legend about a pumpkin headed spirit summoner, keep his annoying little sister out of the way, woo the cute girl on the bus, and avoid the school bully who has singled him out for a beating. This night is more than enough to keep a 12-year-old kid occupied on the spookiest night of the year. THE LEGEND OF THE PUMPKIN THIEF is an exciting look in to the minds and imaginations of young kinds on the brink of young adulthood and is a fun, if not anxious read.
Although many have attributed this book as a young adult novel, I would more rightly place it in the youth horror category along side R.L. Stein's Goosebumps. The themes are not quite dynamic enough to enthrall teenagers and other young adults, but kinds in the latter part of elementary school and junior high will find this read engaging and fun. Nick faces many of the trials of your typically American adolescent, and a few not so typical ones, which allows him to be relatable.
The pairing of young detective fiction and horror writing makes for a fun read that will be interesting for young kids looking for something besides flirting vampires for change.
Although many have attributed this book as a young adult novel, I would more rightly place it in the youth horror category along side R.L. Stein's Goosebumps. The themes are not quite dynamic enough to enthrall teenagers and other young adults, but kinds in the latter part of elementary school and junior high will find this read engaging and fun. Nick faces many of the trials of your typically American adolescent, and a few not so typical ones, which allows him to be relatable.
The pairing of young detective fiction and horror writing makes for a fun read that will be interesting for young kids looking for something besides flirting vampires for change.
February 18, 2012
Delightful! Aimed at a target audience of YA readers who enjoy horror, this novel embraces that audience but is also literate and pacy enough to appeal to adult readers such as myself (perhaps, I should say, even older adult readers ). I’ve really enjoyed reading “Legend of the Pumpkin Thief,” an excellent first outing into the YA field for an accomplished horror author. Mr. Day knows his characters, and draws them well with swift and perceptive strokes. I particularly enjoyed the crotchety elderly neighbor, Mrs. Needlewhitter (even her name holds such possibilities) and her massive watchdog Baxter. I empathized with protagonist Nick, who even as an adolescent has his future plans well in hand (better than many adults!) and “walked with him” as he tramped his town looking for clues to the “mystery.” But what stole the show for me I think was the inimitable way in which Author Day developed the “Pumpkin Thief,” as a small-town urban legend which amazingly crossed communities, appearing in one town now, in another town later, and in yet a different town the following year, almost as it the Legend itself were a traveling carnival of horrors.
PS to fascinated readers: Get this one. It’s worth reading, and later re-reading.
PS to fascinated readers: Get this one. It’s worth reading, and later re-reading.
March 3, 2012
Great read for young adults, I would say the younger end of the age spectrum, looking for a mystery story as well as a scary story. The characters are definitely ones that young adults can relate. The main characters are as follows:
Nick: Main character who is 17 years old interested in being a detective when he gets older.
Samantha: Nick's younger sister
Jenny: Nick's "love" interest
Lou: The Neighborhood Bully
Norm, Ralph, and Byron: Lou's "groupies"
Mrs. Needlewhitter: Nick's old and cranky neighbor who has a dog baxter.
The storyline explores the legend of the Pumpkin thief and it says "...around Halloween, this evil creature, the Pumpkin Thief, a tall, green-bean-thin figure in a black suit and large, orange tie, with a massive orange pumpkin for a head, and carved-out eyes, nose, and jagged mouth,would sneak into a town of his choosing and snatch up the pumpkins at night. He'd collect as many as he could hold, then he'd carry them away to a secret location" and how Nick tries to be a detective and figure out if he has stricken in his town all while dealing with the everyday life of a 17 year old.
Nick: Main character who is 17 years old interested in being a detective when he gets older.
Samantha: Nick's younger sister
Jenny: Nick's "love" interest
Lou: The Neighborhood Bully
Norm, Ralph, and Byron: Lou's "groupies"
Mrs. Needlewhitter: Nick's old and cranky neighbor who has a dog baxter.
The storyline explores the legend of the Pumpkin thief and it says "...around Halloween, this evil creature, the Pumpkin Thief, a tall, green-bean-thin figure in a black suit and large, orange tie, with a massive orange pumpkin for a head, and carved-out eyes, nose, and jagged mouth,would sneak into a town of his choosing and snatch up the pumpkins at night. He'd collect as many as he could hold, then he'd carry them away to a secret location" and how Nick tries to be a detective and figure out if he has stricken in his town all while dealing with the everyday life of a 17 year old.
September 5, 2016
The beautiful cover image got my attention, so I knew I had to read this one. Bearing in mind that the story aims at young readers, the simple writing was easy to follow. The very descriptive language makes it easy to follow what happens and what Nick experiences, however sometimes it felt a bit repetitive and overly detailed, as if explaining things to an unknowing toddler instead of a child who can already read and imagine on its own. The characters were simple - the bully, the weird old lady, the unsure boy with heroic ambitions, but I guess that is still ok with a children's tale. The Pumpkin Thief was scary, but not too much, and of course the ending was a happy one (to prevent nightmares ;).
All in all a nice addition for kids who like creepy stories, especially around Halloween time, but not one to last - they will outgrow it soon.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
All in all a nice addition for kids who like creepy stories, especially around Halloween time, but not one to last - they will outgrow it soon.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
July 9, 2012
My sister received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads and loaned it to me after she read it.
Fewer commas would improve the flow of my reading, and perhaps for other readers. Commas were used abundantly, for many different grammatical reasons, slowing my reading because I had to identify the use of each one to understand the intended meaning. Many of the sentences could be easily rearranged or mildly reworded to reduce the use of commas and thus improve readability. There are also commas placed inappropriately, such as in the sentence, "He'd already passed his road, test shortly after he turned sixteen, so he had accomplished that part of becoming more independent."
Fewer commas would improve the flow of my reading, and perhaps for other readers. Commas were used abundantly, for many different grammatical reasons, slowing my reading because I had to identify the use of each one to understand the intended meaning. Many of the sentences could be easily rearranged or mildly reworded to reduce the use of commas and thus improve readability. There are also commas placed inappropriately, such as in the sentence, "He'd already passed his road, test shortly after he turned sixteen, so he had accomplished that part of becoming more independent."
September 18, 2016
Thanking the author for providing a copy and giving me the opportunity to read and review The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief.
YA HORROR.
The Young Adult genre is sometimes hard to define. According to some it fits the 12-18 range, others claim it to be 15-20. In this case I'd opt for younger readers such as middle schoolers or even younger - depending on your child, of course. Parents should know best what their kids are capable of dealing with, but this story isn't all that horrifying.
The way I imagine how it'll do this delightful story full justice, is to make it a Halloween reading moment with the entire family!
YA HORROR.
The Young Adult genre is sometimes hard to define. According to some it fits the 12-18 range, others claim it to be 15-20. In this case I'd opt for younger readers such as middle schoolers or even younger - depending on your child, of course. Parents should know best what their kids are capable of dealing with, but this story isn't all that horrifying.
The way I imagine how it'll do this delightful story full justice, is to make it a Halloween reading moment with the entire family!
April 24, 2012
You can find my review at The Novel Blog.com
: http://www.thenovelblog.com/tnbReview...
Recommends if for kids 7-12!
: http://www.thenovelblog.com/tnbReview...
Recommends if for kids 7-12!
February 21, 2013
The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief was a quick read, a page-turner. As a lover of the YA books, I really enjoyed the tale and hope to read more from Charles Day!
October 28, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book - it's perfect for young adults because while it's about Halloween and has some scary themes, it's not violent and it's not horror. Nick is a normal kid with the exception that he loves to investigate things. He is kind of a young Sherlock Holmes. And when all of the town pumpkins start disappearing Nick decides he must figure out who is doing it. There is a legend of the Pumpkin Thief and when Nick discovers it he can't believe that could be true ... but what else can account for the missing pumpkins? There is an old lady that is not a fan of the kids or anyone being on her property and she will send out her dog to get them anytime. In between investigating Nick is also dealing with real-life problems like a bully who won't leave him alone and keeps threatening him, making Nick a little scared to walk around alone. But he continues working on the case and eventually he and his friends discover the truth behind what is happening and solve the case. It's really a great read for all ages, I enjoyed it at 40 years of age :) The characters are well-written and you can really engage with their personalities and circumstances. And of course the bullying theme and resolving conflict is a strong theme in the book.
***I received a complimentary ebook in exchange for my honest review***
***I received a complimentary ebook in exchange for my honest review***
October 23, 2022
The Legend of the Pumpin Thief is a nice, safe, kid-friendly novel about a teenager named Nick who is an amateur sleuth. He is determined to unravel a mystery when pumpkins start disappearing in his neighborhood. Along the way, he has to deal with almost constant harassment in and out of school from the town bully, Lou. With his sister, Samantha, by his side, he begins to investigate with unwavering determination. The problem is, who cares? Most of the book takes place on Halloween and at that point, does it matter if someone had been stealing pumpkins all month long? A little late to matter. If it was October 2nd, then I could see its relevance, but the holiday is essentially over. The final conflict also fell a bit flat for me. There was a lot of buildup to who or what this pumpkin thief might be, and not much payoff. There are, however, things I liked about the book. I loved that it took place exclusively on Halloween, and I thought Nick and Samantha had a nice dynamic. The small-town feel was great and I felt the characters were interesting and fleshed out. I gave it 4 stars because I think the good outweighs the bad. I would recommend it.
December 13, 2021
Il pessimo voto è dovuto in parte anche alla pessima stampa: sulla costa manca una parola del titolo, così leggendo la costa e la copertina sembrano due titoli diversi; non solo, in alcune pagine ci sono frasi tronche attaccate alle frasi precedenti, un pessimo lavoro di editing praticamente, e nessuno si è accorto di niente.
Il fatto di averlo pagato e di avere una copia cartacea e non un ebook che posso semplicemente cancellare mi mette ancora più il nervoso.
La storia poteva anche essere piuttosto carina per dei lettori giovani, ma ci mette secoli ad ingranare: questo Pumpkin thief arriva soltanto a qualcosa come 30 o 40 pagine dalla fine, prima solo discorsi di amicizie, bulli e balli scolastici.
Il fatto di averlo pagato e di avere una copia cartacea e non un ebook che posso semplicemente cancellare mi mette ancora più il nervoso.
La storia poteva anche essere piuttosto carina per dei lettori giovani, ma ci mette secoli ad ingranare: questo Pumpkin thief arriva soltanto a qualcosa come 30 o 40 pagine dalla fine, prima solo discorsi di amicizie, bulli e balli scolastici.
October 27, 2016
I have mixed emotions about this book. I read it twice because I felt my adult-ism may have skewed my opinion, so the second time, I tried to read it as a 10 or 12-year-old. Reading it from that perspective, I could see where the book would be entertaining to that age group. The pace wasn't bogged down with unnecessary dialogue or scenery. The characters were snarky and interesting, and the plot was scary without being overly so, which makes it a good introductory read for those younger kids who are interested in spooky stories but don't want to be too terrified they can't sleep at night.
With that said, I still found the story not as engaging as I had hoped. I do read a good deal of middle-grade books so I'm not new to the age group, or the books available to them. While the pace on this one was quick, I thought maybe it moved too fast. The story is also told from several points of view, which is ok with me, but I almost wish the pace had slowed down a tad so we could learn more about each character. For example, there is a scene with Lou, this bully in the neighborhood, and we get a bleak look at his life with his dad. We get a brief glimpse at the dynamics, and it's not pleasant, but it is almost lost in the story. What's worse is that it didn't stir any empathy or sympathy within me. It was kind of like one of those "well, that stinks" moments, and then it was gone. I understand that the author didn't want to linger on the point as it wasn't part of the tale of the pumpkin thief, but I wondered why it was thrown in for such a brief second only to be forgotten.
I didn't care for Mrs. Needlewhitter and her dog, Baxter. This rifle-toting old lady never became a loveable character to me. I wanted to empathize with her, too, but never quite got there.
As for the plot, it was good. The story really came to life Halloween night when all the ghouls and goblins and the Pumpkin Thief came out to play. That's when Nick, his pesky sister, Samantha, and their friends really get the spooks. However, I thought the unveiling of the Pumpkin Thief was a bit of a letdown. I was expecting someone more sinister, someone that would make me gasp and think, "No freaking way!"
Overall, it was a good story. I'm sure 10-12-year-olds will enjoy it. Regardless of my feelings about the story, the author must be doing something right as the book was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for best first novel in 2012. For me, I would have liked something a bit more engaging, scarier, with a little more mystery and substance. I give it 3 1/2 stars.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
With that said, I still found the story not as engaging as I had hoped. I do read a good deal of middle-grade books so I'm not new to the age group, or the books available to them. While the pace on this one was quick, I thought maybe it moved too fast. The story is also told from several points of view, which is ok with me, but I almost wish the pace had slowed down a tad so we could learn more about each character. For example, there is a scene with Lou, this bully in the neighborhood, and we get a bleak look at his life with his dad. We get a brief glimpse at the dynamics, and it's not pleasant, but it is almost lost in the story. What's worse is that it didn't stir any empathy or sympathy within me. It was kind of like one of those "well, that stinks" moments, and then it was gone. I understand that the author didn't want to linger on the point as it wasn't part of the tale of the pumpkin thief, but I wondered why it was thrown in for such a brief second only to be forgotten.
I didn't care for Mrs. Needlewhitter and her dog, Baxter. This rifle-toting old lady never became a loveable character to me. I wanted to empathize with her, too, but never quite got there.
As for the plot, it was good. The story really came to life Halloween night when all the ghouls and goblins and the Pumpkin Thief came out to play. That's when Nick, his pesky sister, Samantha, and their friends really get the spooks. However, I thought the unveiling of the Pumpkin Thief was a bit of a letdown. I was expecting someone more sinister, someone that would make me gasp and think, "No freaking way!"
Overall, it was a good story. I'm sure 10-12-year-olds will enjoy it. Regardless of my feelings about the story, the author must be doing something right as the book was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for best first novel in 2012. For me, I would have liked something a bit more engaging, scarier, with a little more mystery and substance. I give it 3 1/2 stars.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2012
This book has been on my to-be-read list for a while now, but I wanted to wait until Halloween season and review it as part of my nine weeks of spookiness (though my spooky-book pile is much longer than nine weeks!).
A young adult horror novel, The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief follows a student named Nick as he navigates his way past the school’s most violent bullies, using his developing detective skills to determine why the neighborhood’s pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns are being stolen. At first he suspects an older woman who lives with her dog, but as Nick digs deeper into the mystery, he learns that the answer is not as simple as it seemed—especially as time ticks closer to Halloween.
This is a great read for young teens. It contains elements a middle- or high-schooler would enjoy: battling bullies, vying for the attention of a crush, and defending an annoying sibling from strangers. Best of all, the pace is compelling for a young reader, with short chapters and a plot that builds in intensity as the story progresses. It gets quite scary toward the end. As an adult reader, I would have preferred a bit more decadence with the imagery, but for a younger reader the descriptions were just right—enough to create a picture of the scene without bogging down the plot with details. I will note, however, a few instances of profanity. Definitely used sparingly and only in appropriate situations, but something for a cautious parent to consider depending on age.
What I enjoyed most was the nostalgic quality of the Halloween portrayed in the novel. The kids in the book are not obsessed with their cell phones or their video games. Rather, they’re knee-deep in trick-or-treat pranks. The lack of adult supervision in this particular neighborhood brought me back to my own trick-or-treating experience (one year a white van tried to kidnap us!), where streets are dark and the spookiness of Halloween is allowed to run rampant. Indeed, Nick’s parents spend the evening plopped in front of the couch watching old-fashioned horror movies, leaving Nick and his younger sister to encounter the legend of the pumpkin thief on their own.
The ending came quickly—I wanted just a bit more resolution, but the way was left open for future Halloween adventures, which I’d very much enjoy reading, especially if they delve even more deeply into the details of the pumpkin thief himself, his history, and the appearance of his spooky companions.
Overall, this was a fun read worth the time of any fan of Halloween.
A young adult horror novel, The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief follows a student named Nick as he navigates his way past the school’s most violent bullies, using his developing detective skills to determine why the neighborhood’s pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns are being stolen. At first he suspects an older woman who lives with her dog, but as Nick digs deeper into the mystery, he learns that the answer is not as simple as it seemed—especially as time ticks closer to Halloween.
This is a great read for young teens. It contains elements a middle- or high-schooler would enjoy: battling bullies, vying for the attention of a crush, and defending an annoying sibling from strangers. Best of all, the pace is compelling for a young reader, with short chapters and a plot that builds in intensity as the story progresses. It gets quite scary toward the end. As an adult reader, I would have preferred a bit more decadence with the imagery, but for a younger reader the descriptions were just right—enough to create a picture of the scene without bogging down the plot with details. I will note, however, a few instances of profanity. Definitely used sparingly and only in appropriate situations, but something for a cautious parent to consider depending on age.
What I enjoyed most was the nostalgic quality of the Halloween portrayed in the novel. The kids in the book are not obsessed with their cell phones or their video games. Rather, they’re knee-deep in trick-or-treat pranks. The lack of adult supervision in this particular neighborhood brought me back to my own trick-or-treating experience (one year a white van tried to kidnap us!), where streets are dark and the spookiness of Halloween is allowed to run rampant. Indeed, Nick’s parents spend the evening plopped in front of the couch watching old-fashioned horror movies, leaving Nick and his younger sister to encounter the legend of the pumpkin thief on their own.
The ending came quickly—I wanted just a bit more resolution, but the way was left open for future Halloween adventures, which I’d very much enjoy reading, especially if they delve even more deeply into the details of the pumpkin thief himself, his history, and the appearance of his spooky companions.
Overall, this was a fun read worth the time of any fan of Halloween.
September 23, 2012
I'd just like to start up front by saying I like the story. Here was beginning grump about the book. The cover. The big honking publisher logo and "YA HORROR" on the top completely take away from the cover itself. And then the "of the" screams ROMANCE NOVEL... which this isn't. So from the moment I looked at the book I felt like someone should slap the cover designer! As for the story itself, I love it. It's a good young teen read. I don't think it fits the title of YA because it feels like it is more of a middle grade book. I talked to the author and he said Nick was originally 14 in the book but the publisher suggested the age bump... Bad call, Noble YA, bad call. The book is written in a tone that suggests the original age of the protagonist. Knowing this, I came to realize that even though the cover takes away from the story and the main character's age was tampered with in a way that screws with the feel of the story- the story is still really good. It's creepy in a good way. The kind of way that makes you wonder if this legend really exists and if he does, will he be jacking your pumpkins? Overactive imagination here! Believe me, when I stopped reading, the light was on and I was seriously considering waking up my husband because there had to be something outside or under the bed or even in the closet (we won't mention that I can see almost my entire interior of my closet from my bed). It is a great Halloween read, which is right around the corner. Nick is a great character (did I mention I hate the fact that the age was changed, yet? I do.). I love how he thinks and his goals for the future. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE his little sister. Having been the little sister, I think Charles Day nailed it! :0)
So I suggest this book to anyone that likes a good young teen read with creepy elements. If you don't like creepy stuff, stay away. If you're looking for a YA book in the sense of the main character feeling the part of a 17 year old-ish, then I'd suggest a different book. Or maybe you can get passed that little age issue. It's a good read either way, really. I just hate when outside sources screw with good aspects of a book because they think it might sell more- which is what I suspect happened here.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
So I suggest this book to anyone that likes a good young teen read with creepy elements. If you don't like creepy stuff, stay away. If you're looking for a YA book in the sense of the main character feeling the part of a 17 year old-ish, then I'd suggest a different book. Or maybe you can get passed that little age issue. It's a good read either way, really. I just hate when outside sources screw with good aspects of a book because they think it might sell more- which is what I suspect happened here.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*
November 15, 2013
Have you ever wondered where urban legends come from? They are usually stories with a modicum of truth to them but that have been drawn out and exaggerated over time. They are used to teach children and adolescents the danger of whatever the flavor of the month is in our cultural milieu. However, sometimes, a genius comes along and creates a story that is purely for the amusement and frightening of the reader. In this case, that genius is Charles Day, the champion for young reader literacy and one of the nicest guys I have ever met. He has written a truly engaging tales in the YA Horror genre called LEGEND of the PUMPKIN THIEF.
Now although this title has been written for the young adult audience, at 56 years old, I loved it for the nostalgia that Charles brings backs to mind. In his story, Nick, our protagonist, dreams of one day being a great detective that is if he can live through high school. Add to the equation an irritating sister and young love and Nick is finding his life becoming more difficult. He also has to deal with a behemoth of a bully. Now this part is interesting on its own. I don’t know about everyone else, but my bully in school always ran with the smallest, weakest mouse in school. I guess that is because, through assimilation, the mouse can use the bully’s strength as his own.
As Nick tries to figure out the Case of the Missing Pumpkins on his block, the plot thickens and the Pumpkin Thief proves to be a true antagonist. Charles develops his characters so well you feel like you know them or could even be them. He mixes humor and full out chills to make the story a page turner. It was great that I chose to read this around Halloween, adding another layer of spooky, but this book is perfect to read whenever you want a little chill. Besides, the Legend of the Pumpkin Thief would make a truly wonderful urban legend. If you are parents you could use the Pumpkin Thief to teach your children all about the lessons you are trying to Impart into your offspring. Plus, it is just all out good old fashioned fun. Charles does it again and again and young adults of our time should thank him for providing stories so great for them to learn character, plot, setting, theme, and style. Plus, it is just plain fun.
Now although this title has been written for the young adult audience, at 56 years old, I loved it for the nostalgia that Charles brings backs to mind. In his story, Nick, our protagonist, dreams of one day being a great detective that is if he can live through high school. Add to the equation an irritating sister and young love and Nick is finding his life becoming more difficult. He also has to deal with a behemoth of a bully. Now this part is interesting on its own. I don’t know about everyone else, but my bully in school always ran with the smallest, weakest mouse in school. I guess that is because, through assimilation, the mouse can use the bully’s strength as his own.
As Nick tries to figure out the Case of the Missing Pumpkins on his block, the plot thickens and the Pumpkin Thief proves to be a true antagonist. Charles develops his characters so well you feel like you know them or could even be them. He mixes humor and full out chills to make the story a page turner. It was great that I chose to read this around Halloween, adding another layer of spooky, but this book is perfect to read whenever you want a little chill. Besides, the Legend of the Pumpkin Thief would make a truly wonderful urban legend. If you are parents you could use the Pumpkin Thief to teach your children all about the lessons you are trying to Impart into your offspring. Plus, it is just all out good old fashioned fun. Charles does it again and again and young adults of our time should thank him for providing stories so great for them to learn character, plot, setting, theme, and style. Plus, it is just plain fun.
June 9, 2013
This is a wonderful Halloween tale! I could imagine it being read aloud over the course of a few nights. This book would definitely have made the cut for The Halloween Family Read, (THFR is the event that happened every October when my children and I all slept in the same room and read our favorite spooky stories aloud). The characters in the story were all interesting and easy to relate to. Most of us grew up with a bully and an elderly person who was not the friendliest to children in our neighborhoods. I also had the spooky house and of course listened to legends. This book was comfortable because I had that setting but it also had the right amount of spooky to make you want the lights on until you can get to the store and buy a pumpkin to keep you safe. The story reminded me of Goosebumps so fans of that series will love this book. I can see this being made into a Halloween show.
Parents there is some cursing in the book. Nick the main character is 17 so 'thought' curse words happen. I do not recall him actually using them. He has a little sister and the natural rivalry is there along with sibling love. He still obeys his parents though has his own thoughts about it. In other words the author did an excellent job portraying the family. The old lady also used minor cursing but over all it was not a major stumbling block. The cursing is in there far fewer times than a lot of YA books I have read. There is some violence as there is a bully situation. I thought the author also handled that realistically. There was no sex scenes though there is some crushing going on.
If you are looking for a book for a child I think younger teens and preteens will enjoy it more than older teens. If you do family reads this book will be enjoyed by all,(sometimes older teens just need permission to like something they think they are too old for).
Parents there is some cursing in the book. Nick the main character is 17 so 'thought' curse words happen. I do not recall him actually using them. He has a little sister and the natural rivalry is there along with sibling love. He still obeys his parents though has his own thoughts about it. In other words the author did an excellent job portraying the family. The old lady also used minor cursing but over all it was not a major stumbling block. The cursing is in there far fewer times than a lot of YA books I have read. There is some violence as there is a bully situation. I thought the author also handled that realistically. There was no sex scenes though there is some crushing going on.
If you are looking for a book for a child I think younger teens and preteens will enjoy it more than older teens. If you do family reads this book will be enjoyed by all,(sometimes older teens just need permission to like something they think they are too old for).
October 30, 2016
Legend has is that around Halloween, this evil creature, the Pumpkin Thief - a tall, green-bean-thin figure in a black suit and large, orange tie, with a massive orange pumpkin for a head and carved out eyes, nose, and jagged mouth - would sneak into a town of his choosing and snatch up the pumpkins at night. He'd collect as many as he could and then he'd carry them away to a secret location. The Pumpkin Thief is trying to stop the townsfolk from using the pumpkins to ward off evil spirits. Without the pumpkins to protect their homes, they are prey to all the ghosts, ghouls and goblins that float around on Halloween, having fun on the one night when they get to celebrate all things horror.
Nick is a young boy who wants to be a detective when he grows up. He loves to read mystery books and stories about urban legends. When pumpkins go missing the night before Halloween Nick is determined to find out who is stealing the pumpkins. Will it be the old lady from across the street, the town bully or perhaps the Pumpkin Thief himself? Nick is a smart boy who can connect things with ease. This will make him a great detective when he will join the police force. He is also protective of his friends. The fact that he already is an avid reader at this young age made me connect with him right away.
The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief is a great story about a supposedly urban legend. I love all things Halloween so the fact that there's trick or treating combined with costumes was a big bonus for me. Charles Day pulled me in from the very beginning with his easy writing style. The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief is an engaging and thrilling read for the younger public. It will give them everything they are hoping for. A haunted house, an urban legend, mystery, fear and of course Halloween itself. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a great Halloween story.
Nick is a young boy who wants to be a detective when he grows up. He loves to read mystery books and stories about urban legends. When pumpkins go missing the night before Halloween Nick is determined to find out who is stealing the pumpkins. Will it be the old lady from across the street, the town bully or perhaps the Pumpkin Thief himself? Nick is a smart boy who can connect things with ease. This will make him a great detective when he will join the police force. He is also protective of his friends. The fact that he already is an avid reader at this young age made me connect with him right away.
The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief is a great story about a supposedly urban legend. I love all things Halloween so the fact that there's trick or treating combined with costumes was a big bonus for me. Charles Day pulled me in from the very beginning with his easy writing style. The Legend of the Pumpkin Thief is an engaging and thrilling read for the younger public. It will give them everything they are hoping for. A haunted house, an urban legend, mystery, fear and of course Halloween itself. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a great Halloween story.
October 21, 2016
WRITING STYLE:
This story is told from the third person in a way that reminded me a little bit of the Goosebumps books. I liked the examination of the different characters and who each of them linked into this story on the street on Halloween night.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Assumptions made about characters at the beginning of the book were changed by the end. Through an exploration of each of the characters and their motivations the reader can gain an understanding and some empathy, even for the bully.
THEMES:
Family: One major theme that stood out to me was the relationship between Nick and his sister Sam. Their relationship rung true for a set of young siblings – having both their squabbles and their moments of comradery.
Bullying: Another major theme that was present in the book. Nick is bullied through the book, quite horribly. I found an overall commentary on the nature of bullying and the ability for others to stand up and stick together against this behaviour.
Stereotyping People: Each of the characters were stereotyped and seemed to fit into their own little niche for the storyline. I felt like there was some commentary on the need to look beyond stereotypes at the person underneath.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
A fun ride through Halloween night in a search for the inner character and the missing pumpkins.
I thought the incorporation of the urban legend in a Middle Grade novel about Halloween was very well done and while it drove the plot it did not overrun the characters, which were the highlight of this book for me.
I particularly liked exploring the motivations and individual quirks of each of the characters and who this contributed to the overall story.
This story is told from the third person in a way that reminded me a little bit of the Goosebumps books. I liked the examination of the different characters and who each of them linked into this story on the street on Halloween night.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Assumptions made about characters at the beginning of the book were changed by the end. Through an exploration of each of the characters and their motivations the reader can gain an understanding and some empathy, even for the bully.
THEMES:
Family: One major theme that stood out to me was the relationship between Nick and his sister Sam. Their relationship rung true for a set of young siblings – having both their squabbles and their moments of comradery.
Bullying: Another major theme that was present in the book. Nick is bullied through the book, quite horribly. I found an overall commentary on the nature of bullying and the ability for others to stand up and stick together against this behaviour.
Stereotyping People: Each of the characters were stereotyped and seemed to fit into their own little niche for the storyline. I felt like there was some commentary on the need to look beyond stereotypes at the person underneath.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
A fun ride through Halloween night in a search for the inner character and the missing pumpkins.
I thought the incorporation of the urban legend in a Middle Grade novel about Halloween was very well done and while it drove the plot it did not overrun the characters, which were the highlight of this book for me.
I particularly liked exploring the motivations and individual quirks of each of the characters and who this contributed to the overall story.
July 14, 2015
This is really a tough one for me to write a review for. As an adult reader, I really can't say I enjoyed it as much as I have other young adult fiction. The characters and storyline weren't all that well-developed and the author tended to over explain ideas, thoughts, and plot twists. This will probably annoy a lot of older readers, but is fairly common/acceptable for fiction written for younger readers.
Between the style and overall immature nature of the characters--the main character and his peers to me act and think more like what a younger child would envision older kids thinking and acting like than the way older teens actually do act and think--I think older teens will have a difficult time connecting with the characters. For these reasons, I wouldn't suggest this book for older teens who are use to reading books written for adults...but if you are a parent reading this review, you know the maturity level of the teens in your life fair better than I do.
I'll also include a small note of warning for the more conservative parents who might be looking at this book for their child, it does contain some very mild adult language. It's nothing that would keep me, personally, from letting my own daughter read this book. She is 14. However, it is there and I know some parents are more sensitive about that sort of thing than I am.
Between the style and overall immature nature of the characters--the main character and his peers to me act and think more like what a younger child would envision older kids thinking and acting like than the way older teens actually do act and think--I think older teens will have a difficult time connecting with the characters. For these reasons, I wouldn't suggest this book for older teens who are use to reading books written for adults...but if you are a parent reading this review, you know the maturity level of the teens in your life fair better than I do.
I'll also include a small note of warning for the more conservative parents who might be looking at this book for their child, it does contain some very mild adult language. It's nothing that would keep me, personally, from letting my own daughter read this book. She is 14. However, it is there and I know some parents are more sensitive about that sort of thing than I am.
July 27, 2013
Perfect Halloween tale, mysterious as an adult crime novel yet aimed at the YA market I loved it, it was easy to read, easy to get into and in one day this novella proved hard to put down. Some grat refrences and mentions to scooby-doo made me chuckle and the dig at these teens not knowing the band KISS had me laughing out loud. But that's just a few of the subtle things worked into a nicely plotted tale. The pace doesn't let up as Nick a wanna-be detective at 17, has to contend with his younger brat of a sister, Samantha who thinks she is better at being a detective, dealing with the horrible neighborhood bully and his drones, finding the girl of his dreams and above all the mystery of the missing pumpkins, is it the work of the mean old lady and her vicious dog, was it just a halloween prank on the town by the bully or is it something more sinister, an urban legend that comes to Nick's attention, the legend of the pumpkin thief...
November 9, 2014
This is a great young adult tale perfect for Halloween reading. Actually for any time, but read this one around Halloween. It gets you in the mood and sets the tone for the fun night. This one brought back memories of childhood, the problems with bullies, sibling rivalries, and of course how neighborhoods are on Halloween. Mr. Day does a great job getting into the minds of kids and showing us how they think and what they'd do when in similar situations. It was a really fun read, filled with what-would-you-do moments and mystery. I thought the end was perfect and brought the whole tale together seamlessly and satisfactorily. Grab a copy of this young adult tale, settle in, and enjoy a Goonie-like adventure!
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