Pumpkin Heads

Pumpkin Heads
Rainbow Rowell
Faith Erin Hicks, Illustrator
First Second, 2019
Grades 7-12
Graphic Novel

Josiah and Deja have been working together in the Succotash Hut at the Pumpkin Patch/Autumn Festival for three years. The two friends have become more than co-workers. They share a close relationship that seems to live in the bubble of the festival. Now it is their senior year and the last night of the festival. Josie has been crushing on the girl from the Fudge Shoppe since forever, yet has never mustered the courage to talk to her. It is now “do or die” and Deja encourages him to approach his crush’s stand to ask her out. Josie decides to go for it, only the girl has been moved to a different location of the festival. Josiah and Deja travel all over the fair in search of the fudge girl in this last attempt to capture its magic-and sample all of its snacks. After many near-misses and tasty treats, the friends decide to ditch work completely and enjoy their last night together. Circumstances finally place Josie with the object of his affection, yet the reality of finally meeting her is not what he expected. Will true love prevail with Josie and his longtime crush or will love develop in unexpected places?

Wildly popular teen author Rowell (Eleanor & Park) pens her first graphic novel. This is a sweet story, without the author's usual edgy angst, with endearing characters. The readers will see Josiah's true love long before he realizes it and will breathe a contented sigh once he finally figures it out. This innocent romance is a true Rom-Com with running jokes, quirky secondary characters, and puns a-plenty. I love that Deja is a naturally built woman, who isn't afraid to go in for snacks, serving as an inspiration for teen female readers. She is also confident and comfortable in her own skin. Josiah has little dating experience, yet Deja has plenty, both boys and girls. Still, she seems almost shy putting her true feelings on the line to her friend. The real star of this book is the illustrations. Hicks does a great job conveying emotions and nuances in her characters. The use of color is particularly well executed. The color pallet reflects the autumn season and the background of the panels changes as day turns to sunset and then to night. End papers include a map of the festival, which I always appreciate. There is nothing better than pouring over a good map. Sure to be a hit, give this one to graduates of Raina Telgemeier and fans of Rainbow Rowell.