LitPick Review
Saving Halloween is a story about two girls, one named Anne and the other named Halloween. Anne is a girl who seeks acceptance from her parents by being excellent in her studies, learning different languages, and playing musical instruments, but she lacks parental love. Anne meets Halloween who is being home-schooled and enjoys parental love and presence.
Anne and Halloween begin to go to the same school, and they become a target for bullies in their school. Halloween defends Anne from the bullies as they build a friendship. Anne gradually sees what she is missing from her parents. Anne later finds out Halloween family's secrets. What will happen to Anne and Halloween's friendship? Can Anne's relationship with her family improve?
Opinion:
Saving Halloween tells a story of true friendship between Halloween and Anne who have a different kind of upbringing and family background. This difference makes them complement each other. Halloween protects her friend from bullying and does her best to help her to see life in a different way after living a rigid life due to her upbringing. Anne also stands by her friend after finding out the Spavento family's secret (Halloween's family).
Many readers can relate to this story regarding how Anne's parents have placed high expectations on their child which gives unnecessary pressure and can cause self esteem issues. This is in contrast to Halloween's family who is willing to give as much family love and time as they can. This book also talks about bullying which is also a societal issue.
I love the illustrations in this book as there is just the right amount of spookiness in the pictures.
I would recommend this book to young readers and lovers of the Halloween holiday.
