Review: Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

Pumpkin Heads is a cute graphic novel, written by Rainbow Rowell (best remembered for Fangirl and the sort-of spin off series it inspired,) and beautifully illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks (best known for Friends With Boys,) which tells the story of the importance of friendship. Every autumn Deja and Josiah work together at the pumpkin patch. This shift is different. Tonight it is Halloween, and they are high school seniors. This means it is the last opportunity for this pair of seasonal best friends to work together. And they are determined to make the most of it. Their last night becomes something of an adventure as they travel through the patch looking for the girl who Josiah has never been quite brave enough to talk to. But what they find is something far sweeter than either ever intended.

This was a fun, cute read, that examines the nature of friendships and relationships, while using the fun parts of Halloween as a backdrop. The story itself does not require a lot of analysis--what can I tell you apart from the fact that it is wholesome, beautifully illustrated and the moral is something that many kids in the intended readership will be able to relate to?

Recommended.

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