Pumpkinheads

Starred review from July 15, 2019
Autumn loving, they had a blast; autumn loving, it happened too fast. Having worked together in the Succotash Hut at the pumpkin patch for years, best friends and co-workers Deja and Josiah, who goes by Josie, ditch work and find love on their last night, heading out in search of Josie's unrequited love, the girl who works in the Fudge Shoppe. Deja, a witty and outgoing girl who attracts--and is attracted to--boys and girls alike, is set on helping the shy, rule-following Josie move out of his comfort zone before they part ways for college. Deja encourages Josie to take a chance and talk to the girl of his dreams instead of pining for her from afar. Not to be dissuaded by his reticence, Deja leads Josie to multiple stops in the Patch in search of the almost-impossible-to-find Fudge Girl, with every stop taking them in a new direction and providing a new treat. As they journey through the Patch--chasing a snack-stealing rascal, dodging a runaway goat, and snacking their way through treats from fudge to Freeto pie--they explore the boundaries of their friendship. Visually bright and appealing in autumnal reds, oranges, and yellows, the art enhances this endearing picture of teenage love. Deja is a beautiful, plus-sized black girl, and Josie is a handsome, blond white boy. A heartwarming, funny story filled with richness and complexity. (Graphic fiction. 14-18)

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Starred review from August 1, 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 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 5, 2019
For the last several years, high schoolers Deja and Josiah (Josie) have been best friends during autumn, working together at the Pumpkin Patch’s Succotash Hut. On Halloween, the last day of their final year working at the Patch, outgoing Deja, a plus-size black girl who has dated many of the Patch’s staffers—girls and boys alike—intends to make sure that responsible, quiet Josie, who is white, finally talks to his long-standing crush, a young woman who works at the Fudge Shoppe. A packed night at the Patch leads to the duo pursuing “Fudge Girl” through the grounds, reliving memories, averting catastrophes, eating all their favorite snacks, and savoring one last autumnal night together. Art by Hicks (Comics Will Break Your Heart) turns the sweetly witty dialogue by Rowell (Carry On) into a miniature autumn universe; precise, affectionate details (signage, costumes, endpaper maps) will coax readers to revel in the cozy atmosphere. The pacing is assured, driving along in short bursts that leave room for key scenes to stretch, but it’s the primary characters’ authentic friendship—built over several seasons working alongside one another—and the variously inclusive cast that really bring this funny last-day story home. Ages 14–up.

July 1, 2019
Grades 8-11 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.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2019
Color by Sarah Stern. High-school seniors Josiah (earnest, insecure) and Deja (extroverted, charming) have worked together at a theme park�? like pumpkin patch for three years. It's their final shift, and Deja helps Josiah pursue his crush: Fudge Shoppe Girl. It becomes gradually clear that the friendship could blossom into something more. Rowell's dialogue is sharp and punchy; Hicks's panel illustrations expertly capture the lovable main characters and the entertaining particulars of this autumnal setting.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from September 1, 2019
Graduating high-school seniors Josiah and Deja have worked together at DeKnock's World Famous Pumpkin Patch & Autumn Jamboree every fall for the past three years; their final shift on Halloween is marked by both wistful nostalgia and a sense of new beginnings. Deja is determined to help Josiah work up the courage to finally approach his crush, Fudge Shoppe Girl. As they pursue Fudge Shoppe Girl through the pumpkin patch's various attractions, easily bantering the entire way, it gradually becomes obvious to readers that their friendship could blossom into something more. Blue-eyed, blond Josiah is industrious, earnest, and insecure. Plus-sized, dark-skinned Deja is extroverted and charming; amid several madcap adventures over the course of the evening, she runs into various exes?both boys and girls. Fudge Shoppe Girl turns out to be a something of a MacGuffin, a plot device to jumpstart the wild goose chase, and when Josiah finally does track her down, he is underwhelmed, and realizes he'd rather spend the time with Deja. Rowell's dialogue is sharp and punchy, while Hicks's panel illustrations, dominated by various shades of purple, orange, red, and yellow, expertly capture the lovable main characters and the entertaining particulars of this autumnal setting. Expect this tender, sweet romance to be popular with a wide range of readers?and let's hope this isn't the last graphic novel collaboration between Rowell and Hicks. jonathan hunt

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)