Book: Pumpkin Heads
Author(s): Rainbow Rowell
Illustrator: Faith Erin Hicks
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Audience: Teen
Pumpkin Heads is a graphic novel about a boy and a girl who work together at a local pumpkin patch. They’ve worked together seasonally every autumn of their high school years. Annually, when fall is over, these friends say goodbye to one another until next autumn. This season, however is potentially their last time working together. They’re seniors and who knows what the future holds.
Although they’ve worked at the pumpkin patch season, after season, the friends have never visited the patch from a patron point of view. On their last night working together, the boy, Josiah, is feeling pretty down. He’s never worked up the nerve to speak to his pumpkin patch crush who works in another part of the patch. His bestie, Deja, is not going to let him go out like that!
The two embark on an adventure to find Josiah’s crush and finally speak to her. Their adventure takes them all over the patch. Tasting all the best snacks. Reminiscing. Moonlighting at the different attractions that they’ve always wanted to work. Getting lost in the corn maze and more. Until finally, the time has come. Josiah finds his crush. Is she all that he’s imagined for the past 3 years? Or is he missing what’s been right in front of him the whole time?
I really liked this story! It was a cute coming of age, fun romance that was not over the top. Think of any Hallmark “Harvest/Fall Fest” type movie as a book. This was in the “teen” section of my library, however, I’d say this could be a cute seasonal read for 7th – 8th grade and up.
As of the time of this post (October 14, 2025), It’s on sale on Amazon for $9.93. I absolutely think it’s work that price!
Here’s a quick sample from the book. If you’re interested in reading a longer sample click here!
Major Morris 