Review By: Sara Tripp
Published: 2024
Genres: YA Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction
Audience: Grades 8-10
Number of Stars: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Goodreads Link: Sally’s Lament
Content Warnings: none
Publisher’s Summary
What if Sally discovered Christmas Town?
Sally has mostly loved her creepy hometown of Halloween Town. But lately, she can’t help but want something more. In a place full of the frightening, you’d think living in the shadows wouldn’t feel so . . . isolating. She knows she could do so much more if she wasn’t always stuck in the lab of her creator, Dr. Finkelstein. Soon Sally is surprised to learn that the Pumpkin King, Jack, is longing for a change of his own. Determined to find a solution for them both, Sally follows a vision that could be the key to changing their fates.
But the more time Sally spends in the strange, jolly land of Christmas Town, the more suspicious she grows of the seemingly idyllic winter wonderland. What is lurking behind those dancing sugar plums? And what exactly does it mean to be put on the Naughty List? Will Sally be able to save the best of both towns—before it’s too late?
Review Text
The Disney Twisted Tales Books do not disappoint. This is either the 4th or 5th one that I have read and all of them have been a great read. I enjoy the fact that it takes parts of the original story that you love and gives you more. They highlight a character and give you more of a backstory or a different lens to see the story through. The Nightmare Before Christmas movie that this book is based off of highlights how the true meaning of Christmas has been forgotten. People are more concerned with presents than kindness and giving. With Sally’s Lament we get a fresh take. Sally is trying to escape Dr. Finkelstein that is always telling her she isn’t ready. He keeps her locked up and under his control. Through her adventure she realizes she is quite capable and even a hero! The message of Christmas is still there but the twist is Sally’s personal victories. I enjoyed Sally’s version of the story and the support that Jack Skellington shows her throughout their journey. There is even a little bit of the classic story of Rudolph mixed in. The toys that are not perfect don’t get to ride in Santa’s sleigh and find their child. In the end even the broken toys find their way to a child that is perfect for them and will cherish them. Overall I think this was another top notch Disney Twisted Tales!
