Pumpkinheads (book) by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks
Bibliographic Information
Title: Pumpkinheads
Author: Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks
Publisher: First Second (an imprint of Roaring Book Press)
Copyright Date: August 27, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-62672-162-3
Page Count: 224
Genre
Graphic Novel, Romance
Awards or Honors
A 2020 Tayshas Reading List Selection
A 2020 Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Selection
Reading Level/Interest Level
Ages 14 - 18 (Kirkus Reviews), all ages (Rainbow Rowell)
Plot Summary
Josiah (who goes by Josie) and Deja are working their last night at the local pumpkin patch before they head to college. They have worked at the Pumpkin Patch for the past three years, and they are both sentimental about it being the last night. They work in the Succotash Hut (it’s a huge pumpkin patch!), but Deja convinces Josie to switch to the Pie Palace so that he can talk to a girl he has been pining over (from afar) for three years. This begins an unforgettable and funny adventure through different areas of the pumpkin patch as they search for “The Fudge Girl.” Deja gets to try delicious food along the way (is sometimes thwarted), and prod Josie into being brave enough to talk to “The Fudge Girl.”
Author Background
Rainbow Rowell has many published books in different genres. Her most recent book, Slow Dance, an adult fiction novel, came out July 30, 2024, and is a Reese’s book club pick and New York Times bestseller. Other bestselling work includes Eleanor & Park and the Simon Snow Trilogy. Her first book was published in 2011, and was an adult fiction novel, Attachments. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska.
Faith Erin Hicks is a writer and artist with many published graphic novels and comics. She has won two Eisner Awards. Her most recent book, Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy, a young adult graphic novel, came out October 3, 2023. She enjoys comedy from a character’s perspective & likes it when “humor comes from who a person is” (Bishop, 2020). She currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia with her husband and cat.
Critical Evaluation
As a millennial, the comfort the book gives me reminds me of my favorite 90’s romcom that always puts me in the fall mood, You’ve Got Mail. I love that the characters have so much life in the images. Their faces belie how they are feeling in a way that allows the reader to really grasp the feelings that teens have. Additionally, their faces and body language reveal so much unspoken humor! As we travel through possibly the best pumpkin patch ever, the reader may feel nostalgic about their own pumpkin patch adventures and traditions. The colors and images are amazing, and I read it twice to go back and look through the images with more detail. Now I need some yummy fall harvest pumpkin patch food!
Not me buying pumpkins earlier this week at Trader Joe’s.
Alas, though, while the story is warm and cozy, there’s a great underlying message of speaking our truths.
““Pumpkinheads” is more than a story about a last evening at a beloved pumpkin patch; it is about being confident enough in a friendship to speak both challenge and truth — even the truth that makes you feel vulnerable, but could set you on a new, rewarding path. ”
Creative Use for a Library Program
The library could host a pumpkin carving program with yummy snacks like fudge and tabletop s’mores for teens.
Speed-Round Talk
Deja and Josiah (Josie) are pumpkin patch work friends, but on their last night, Deja decides that are going on an adventure to help Josie find a girl he likes. Will they succeed in their mission that is filled with mischief and yummy food? Will Josie finally be brave enough to talk to the fudge shop girl after three years?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
This book is very sweet and shows hard-working teens who care about their job. The female protagonist does mention she has dated both boys and girls as they travel through the giant pumpkin patch. Spiciness level is limited to a consensual kiss. There are no drugs or alcohol.
Reason for Inclusion
I love that this book puts the reader in a cozy fall mood without any horror. I also love that there is some diversity in the characters. There is also laugh out loud humor!
Bonus Information
My 13 year old loved this book, too!
References
Bishop. R. (October 6, 2020). Faith Erin Hicks talks her new graphic novel Ride On, horses, Star Trek, and more. Comicbook. https://comicbook.com/comics/news/faith-erin-hicks-ride-on-announcement-preview-interview/#4
Hicks, F. E. (n.d.). About. https://www.faitherinhicks.com/about/
Kennedy, T. [TreyKennedy1]. Happy white girl GIF [GIF]. Giphy. https://giphy.com/gifs/TreyKennedy1-TexuCBs2uUjrw34gdU
Kirkus Reviews. (2019, June 17). A heartwarming, funny story filled with richness and complexity. Kirkus Reviews. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/rainbow-rowell/pumpkinheads/
Rowell, R. [Rainbow Rowell]. It really depends. My book Pumpkinheads is appropriate for all ages. I usually suggest waiting until 14 to read the [Comment on the online forum question Would your books be appropriate for a 13 year old?]. Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/questions/1754328-would-your-books-be-appropriate-for-a-13
Rowell, R. & Hicks, F. E. (2019, August 27). Pumpkinheads. First Second Books.
Rowell, R. (n.d.). About. https://www.rainbowrowell.com/about
Yan Glaser, K. (2019, August 27). Rainbow Rowell’s first graphic novel serves up comedy and romance. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/27/books/review/pumpkinheads-rainbow-rowell-faith-erin-hicks.html
*Book Cover Image is property of publisher, First Second Books; taken from Amazon.