 | Pumpkinheads Author: Rowell, Rainbow | |
| Price: $14.75 | ||
Summary:
Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends. Every autumn, all through high school, they've worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. They say good-bye every Halloween, and they're reunited every September 1st. But this Halloween is different-Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye. Josiah's ready to be melancholy about it. Deja wants to turn it into an adventure.
| Illustrator: | Hicks, Faith Erin |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG+ Reading Level: 2.90 Points: 1.0 Quiz: 504741 |
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 07/01/2019 It’s Halloween, and after three years of manning the succotash hut together, it’s the last night Josie and Deja will work at their beloved pumpkin patch. Tall, blond, Josie is dismayed that their lives will never be the same, while Black, chubby Deja is determined to make the most of their last day. Her mission? Get Josie to finally talk to his crush. What follows is a rapid-fire circuit of the pumpkin patch involving bribery, swapped shifts, missed connections, a snack-thieving kid, and Josie’s rival for most-valuable pumpkin patch employee, not to mention a corn maze, petting zoo, and hayrack ride, where Josie finally gets his chance. Hick’s cheerful, big-eyed cartoon figures are a great match for Rowell’s playful, often awkward characters, and she draws the pumpkin-patch scenes with bustling activity, which adds to the lively atmosphere and fast-paced plot. Though readers might easily pick up on where the story’s going and the quick-moving scenes don’t allow much room for character development, this lighthearted, feel-good comic will find plenty of fans.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Rowell's one of the biggest names in YA; don't be surprised if readers who otherwise turn their nose up at comics seek this one out. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 08/01/2019 Gr 7 Up—High school seniors Deja and Josiah ("Josie") are working their final shift at the world's corniest pumpkin patch. Josie already misses his days at the patch, while Deja is on a mission to experience as many things as possible on her last night, including eating plenty of Frito pie. Along the way, she wants to yank Josie out of his comfort zone and open up his world—no regrets allowed. The characters in this graphic novel are so expressive and authentic, it's impossible not to love them. The dialogue is cute, funny, and punny, and the speech bubbles are well placed. Adorably illustrated and titled chapter headings will heighten readers' anticipation of wacky moments. The palette is charmingly autumnal, and dynamic backgrounds, with vivid reds, oranges, yellows, and twilight purples and blues, convey the fall festival atmosphere. The panel layouts advance the action smoothly and evoke the feeling of young love and of breathlessly standing on the brink of change. VERDICT There's something for everyone in this joyful, tender book. Fans of Rowell and Hicks will gobble up this graphic novel like it's Frito pie, and after just one nibble, newcomers will do the same—and ask for seconds.—Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
