84 ratings | 40 reviews | avg rating:4.76

Kevin’s Year In Books

Kevin’s 2025 Year in Books

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Kevin’s Bookshelves

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Kevin’s Friends (242)

Karen

8,209 books | 178 friends

Debbie Blake

132 books | 1,059 friends

Bill Kerwin

3,540 books | 3,766 friends

Patricia Eddy

384 books | 822 friends

Meka 🌸

2,700 books | 1,183 friends

Lorilyn Roberts

347 books | 2,568 friends

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917 books | 2,762 friends

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694 books | 834 friends

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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

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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."
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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)

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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)

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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 — 6 editions

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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

MAD Magazine #9

by Jerry DeFuccio

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Feb 25, 2026 02:53PM

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Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens

by David Mitchell

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Feb 19, 2026 12:03PM

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MAD No. 2

by Harvey Kurtzman

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Nov 17, 2025 05:56PM

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Kevin’s Recent Updates

Kevin Purdy finished reading The Winter List (Damian Seeker, #6) by S.G. MacLean (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
Mar 03, 2026 06:26PM · like
Kevin Purdy is currently reading MAD Magazine #9 by Jerry DeFuccio	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
Feb 25, 2026 02:53PM · like
Kevin Purdy rated a book really liked it Mad #17 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
Feb 19, 2026 05:29PM · like
Kevin Purdy is currently reading Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens by David Mitchell	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
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Kevin Purdy rated a book it was amazing The Three Edwards (The Plantagenets #3) 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
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Kevin Purdy rated a book it was amazing 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
Huzzah!!! I love non-fiction books that are written in fictional prose. I found this book both informative and enjoyable. The thirteenth century was indeed a magnificent century. I’m not sure that it was THE magnificent century, but Costain made a goo ...more
Jan 04, 2026 06:56PM · like · see review
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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 #1

The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons, 576p

5 votes, 33.3%

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova, 336p

2 votes, 13.3%

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik, 356p

2 votes, 13.3%

The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren, 219p

2 votes, 13.3%

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

1 vote, 6.7%

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley, 448p

1 vote, 6.7%

The Written by Ben Galley, 418p

1 vote, 6.7%

Folklorn by Angela Mi Young Hur, 416p

1 vote, 6.7%

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna, 432p

0 votes, 0.0%

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey, 192p

0 votes, 0.0%

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

0 votes, 0.0%

The Pariah by Anthony Ryan, 600p

0 votes, 0.0%

15 total votes

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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

41035 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

135709 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

177602 likes

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