81 ratings | 39 reviews | avg rating:4.77

Kevin’s Year In Books

Kevin’s 2024 Year in Books

Take a look at Kevin’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Kevin’s 2024 Year in Books

Kevin Purdy’s Followers (15)

Kevin’s Bookshelves

to-read (64)
currently-reading (22)
read (107)
birthday-book (1)
books-for-writers (3)
chapter-book (1)
chapter-books (1)
christmas-books (1)
classics (9)
england (12)
See all bookshelves »

Kevin’s Friends (241)

Susanne Leist

903 books | 2,763 friends

Suzanne

1,664 books | 458 friends

Felix Alexander

311 books | 743 friends

Annette

1,160 books | 349 friends

Amy

2,310 books | 98 friends

1,668 books | 867 friends

Meka 🌸

1,865 books | 1,163 friends

Debra

8,739 books | 4,435 friends

More friends…

Kevin Purdy

Goodreads Author

Website

http://www.PurdyBooks.com

Twitter

PurdyBooks

Genre

Young Adult, Children's, Humor and Comedy

Influences

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ...more

Member Since

March 2017

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/purdybooks

edit data

Kevin has lived in Montana, Oregon and Colorado. He spent many years as a middle school teacher before becoming a full-time writer. Kevin writes middle grades fiction and non-fiction for fellow authors.
Kevin's first published novel is "The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol." It is the tale of a hard-hearted man who hates all holidays but particularly despises Halloween. Based on "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, "The Legend of Decimus Croome" is the perfect book for some entertaining autumn reading. It is mildly spooky, but mostly funny with an excellent lesson for anyone who has lost the magic of Halloween.
Kevin's next book will be published soon, and it is based on Washington Irving's "Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
If you are a ...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask Kevin Purdy questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

I noticed you have great reviews for your Halloween Carol book. As a fellow writer, I like to ask my favorite authors this question: Are you satisfied with your reviews and how do you handle the inevitable negative reviews?

Kevin Purdy Great questions, Judy. Yes, I am very pleased at the reviews of "The Legend of Decimus Croome." I appreciate when readers rate my books, and I'm even …moreGreat questions, Judy. Yes, I am very pleased at the reviews of "The Legend of Decimus Croome." I appreciate when readers rate my books, and I'm even more appreciative when they take the time to write a review. As far as the more critical reviews, I don't mind constructive criticism, but I'm a bit disappointed with a couple specific types of reviews, not only of my books but those of other authors.
First, I hope that reviewers keep in mind the intended audience. For example Decimus Croome is a Halloween book for families. A couple critical reviews on Amazon and Goodreads had a problem that there wasn't more horror in the story. But it is not a horror story. It is a little spooky, a lot funny and mostly playful. It is a book for the entire family, so it was never intended to be gory or gruesome.
The second most frequent critical comment (which means a couple) was about my use of alliteration in the book. Please note that I purposefully used a lot of alliteration as my literary element du jour. I like to sprinkle in an abundance of one particular literary element in each book almost as if I'm designing a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt. As a former teacher, I appreciated when authors did this so that I could teach that element to students before reading the book. Then I challenged them to find the metaphors, similes, onomatopoeias, alliterations, etc as they read the book.

The final critique of my critiques (-: is the comparisons to whatever famous author I was trying to emulate. In the case of A Halloween Carol, that was Charles Dickens. I enjoy reading classic pieces of literature then adapting them for a modern (and potentially younger) audience. But I'm not trying to be that author. I'm flattered that some people would compare me to a master like Dickens, but please don't expect me to be Dickens... believe me... I'm not that author or any other famous writer. My books are for fun, not for immortality. You will find some similarities to Dickens writing style, and even some humorous references to Charles Dickens speckled throughout the book. But please judge the book based upon whether or not it was entertaining, not on whether it was exactly like a certain famous literary master.
Overall though, thanks to all the readers who take time to write reviews. I appreciate them, and other Goodreads users also depend on reviews to make informed decisions about their future favorite books.(less)

flag

like
Comment

Are you on social media?

Kevin Purdy Yes I am. In addition to the PurdyBooks.com website, you can also find me on Twitter, Facebook & Pinterest using PurdyBooks as the account name. @Purd…moreYes I am. In addition to the PurdyBooks.com website, you can also find me on Twitter, Facebook & Pinterest using PurdyBooks as the account name. @PurdyBooks(less)

flag

like
Comment

See all 5 answers from Kevin Purdy…

Combine Editions
Kevin Purdy’s books

Average rating: 4.14 · 146 ratings · 63 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol

4.14 avg rating — 146 ratings — published 2016 — 5 editions

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

118 posts
Kevin Purdy's Blog

10 Ways to Use AI in Middle School Reading Curriculum

Technology is transforming education, and artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a valuable tool for teachers looking to engage students in new and exciting ways. While AI might sound futuristic, it can actually make reading instruction more interactive, personalized, and accessible. From helping struggling readers to sparking creativity in writing assignments, AI is reshaping how middle

Kevin is Currently Reading

Kevin Purdy is currently reading

The Magnificent Century (The Plantagenets #2)

by Thomas B. Costain

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Dec 01, 2025 02:00PM

Kevin Purdy is currently reading

MAD No. 2

by Harvey Kurtzman

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Nov 17, 2025 05:56PM

Kevin Purdy is currently reading

The Betrothed Sister (Daughters of Hastings #3)

by Carol McGrath (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Sep 12, 2025 05:43PM

rss
Kevin’s Recent Updates

Kevin Purdy is currently reading The Magnificent Century (The Plantagenets #2) by Thomas B. Costain	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 01, 2025 02:00PM · like
Kevin Purdy rated a book it was amazing Three Brothers, Two Plots and a Monk (The Chronicles of Brother Hermitage Book 34) by Howard of Warwick (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Pretty Darned Good Brother Hermitage is up to his usual shenanigans only this time he is preventing a murder rather than investigating one. That was nice for a change.
Dec 01, 2025 10:22AM · like · see review
Kevin Purdy is currently reading MAD No. 2 by Harvey Kurtzman	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 17, 2025 05:56PM · like
Kevin Purdy rated a book really liked it The Red Prince: The Life of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster by Helen Carr	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Pretty Decent Historical Overview I learned a lot about 14th Century England as a result of reading this book. In fact, a better title for this book may have been History of the Late 14th Century English Elite. At times I couldn’t tell if this book wa ...more
Nov 17, 2025 05:25PM · like · see review
Kevin Purdy rated a book it was amazing Arden: The Astonishing Untold Story of Shakespeare's First Play by G.D. Harper (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Historical Murder Mystery I love British history, admire Will Shakespeare and adore any book set in England. This book covers all three. It was a pleasure to read.
Oct 30, 2025 03:07PM · like · see review
Kevin Purdy rated a book it was amazing Origin (Robert Langdon, #5) by Dan Brown (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Masterclass in Realistic Fiction This book has it all: entertainment, enlightenment, fiction, facts, history, religion, science… It is the most riveting book I’ve read in a long time. For me, it is even slightly better than the DaVinci Code and Angels ...more
Oct 14, 2025 01:16PM · like · see review
Kevin Purdy is currently reading The Betrothed Sister (Daughters of Hastings #3) by Carol McGrath (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 12, 2025 05:43PM · like
Kevin Purdy rated a book it was amazing The Good Knight (Gareth & Gwen Medieval Mysteries, #1) by Sarah Woodbury (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Great Time and Place Setting This is my first Gareth and Gwen Medieval Mystery book, but it certainly won’t be my last. If you like historical fiction set in 11th Century Britain, then you’ll want to get this book. 📖
Sep 11, 2025 05:30PM · like · see review
Kevin Purdy rated a book it was amazing The Woodvilles: The Wars of the Roses and England's Most Infamous Family by Susan Higginbotham (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 29, 2025 10:02AM · like
Kevin Purdy finished reading Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 25, 2025 08:25PM · like

More of Kevin's books…

Quotes by Kevin Purdy (?)

“The murmurings and mutterings grew even more freakish and grotesque as Halloween slithered ever closer.”
― Kevin Purdy

tags: halloween, halloween-quotes, halloween-story

3 likes

“Halloween creatures both friendly & gruesome peered out of the rustling leaves.”
― Kevin Purdy

tags: autumn, autumn-leaves, autumn-quotations, autumn-quotes, fall, halloween, halloween-quotations

1 likes

“He was always mindful of keeping his spirits in check lest they soar unreasonably high.”
― Kevin Purdy

tags: depressing-quotes, depression, depression-quotes, soaring-quotes, spirits

1 likes

See all Kevin Purdy's quotes »

Polls

4th Quarter 2021 - Fantasy #2

The Pariah by Anthony Ryan, 600p

5 votes, 35.7%

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik, 356p

3 votes, 21.4%

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey, 192p

3 votes, 21.4%

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova, 336p

1 vote, 7.1%

The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren, 219p

1 vote, 7.1%

The Written by Ben Galley, 418p

1 vote, 7.1%

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna, 432p

0 votes, 0.0%

The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol by Kevin Purdy, 192p

0 votes, 0.0%

A Terrible Fall of Angels by Laurell K. Hamilton, 400p

0 votes, 0.0%

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley, 448p

0 votes, 0.0%

The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, 576p

0 votes, 0.0%

Folklorn by Angela Mi Young Hur, 416p

0 votes, 0.0%

14 total votes

comments and details

More...

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
2025 & 2026 Readi...: Ziggy’s 101 books	9	146	Jun 03, 2023 12:57PM
Ultimate Popsugar...: * Post Your 2023 Reading List	466	3104	Jan 03, 2024 09:22AM

Kevin’s Quotes

“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”
― Mark Twain

tags: aliteracy, attributed-no-source, literacy

40994 likes

“If you're having trouble with the concept of ghosts, then you're in for a very long evening.”
― Kevin Purdy, The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol

tags: ghosts, halloween, halloween-quotes

0 likes

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
― Marcus Tullius Cicero

tags: attributed-no-source, books, simile, soul

135433 likes

“Do you remember the part in our wedding vows about 'Until death do we part?'
Consider this a bonus round.”
― Kevin Purdy, The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol

tags: ghosts, halloween, halloween-quotes, hauntings, spirits

0 likes

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
― Oscar Wilde

tags: attributed-no-source, be-yourself, gilbert-perreira, honesty, inspirational, misattributed-oscar-wilde, quote-investigator

176837 likes

More of Kevin’s quotes…