Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

Graphic Novel and Comics Winner

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell



Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?

I have this from the library. I wasn't really planning on reading it, but it was available and looks like it will be quick and cute, which is just what I can use right now.

I actually read this a couple of weeks ago. It was cute for a fall read.

Ok, I read this in two sittings. It was cute, but nothing special IMO. You follow the two main characters through the pumpkin patch as they learn a life lesson and make a decision.

Kristie wrote: "Ok, I read this in two sittings. It was cute, but nothing special IMO. You follow the two main characters through the pumpkin patch as they learn a life lesson and make a decision."

I agree but it was fun for fall!!!

Yes, definitely appropriate for the season! Quick read too.

I just read this last night, what a cute read for the season! The illustrations are just darling!

I'm about to start. Cute, quick and seasonal is exactly what I need!

I read this one and really enjoyed it. Cute and quick. I don't read a lot of Graphic Novels so I was happy to have like it so much!

I love graphic novels though I tend to prefer the european style.

Savanes wrote: "I love graphic novels though I tend to prefer the european style."

How is the European style different?

it was cute! I did like it :) -- I would recommend picking it up as ebook version is just USD 2.99 right now

Kristie wrote: "Savanes wrote: "I love graphic novels though I tend to prefer the european style."

How is the European style different?"

So complicated to describe, it's like comparing Manga with Comics. Have you ever read Tintin, Asterix? I guess it's more wordy, it's generally conceived as a book rather than an episode (movie versus tv show), always in color.... Arf, I don't know, it's really a different vibe.

Thanks! That was actually a difficult question. lol I've not read Tintin, Asterix. I think this is the first I've heard of it.

Sounds like European style would be more in depth, so the American graphic novels seem somewhat shallow? If that's the case, it makes sense to me and I think that's the issue I have with graphic novels. There doesn't tend to be a lot of meat to them.

I am reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, for October.

Just thinking about this and I have read some that are more like books, but I think they are still American style. This one Pumpkinheads is a whole story, not an episode and over 200 pages. Is the style of it different though? I'm guessing less wordy. I think this is similar in style to Hey, Kiddo and The Prince and the Dressmaker, though I felt those had a bit more depth.

I couldn't tell if the american style is more shallow because I'm not into superheroes so haven't tried anything like Dc comics but from the ones I have read then yes. I have still enjoyed some like Saga or Monstress.

Some european style graphic novels are not like a story but more like very short stories (1-4 pages) but those are generally hilarious. Every story is a gag.

Pumpkinheads is less wordy for sure, drawing style is more childish (though that doesn't matter to me). I haven't finished it yet so difficult to judge.

I haven't read any superhero comics either, well not since I was a kid and even then not many. I really enjoyed some comics as a child (Garfield, etc), but those are different than graphic novels. I've read very few graphic novels. I'll have to look into the European style ones.

Garfield is great... If you're into sarcasm, I loooooove A Right to Be Hostile: The Boondocks Treasury.

Thanks! I'll check it out. :)