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?
my thoughts:
Pumpkinheads might just be one of the most delightful graphic novels I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. As someone who unapologetically enjoys all things pumpkin spice, my inner basic self was completely charmed by this story. Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks proved to be the perfect creative duo to bring this heartwarming tale to life.
The story follows Deja and Josiah, best friends working their very last shift at a pumpkin patch before heading off to college. Deja is determined to savor every snack she’s missed out on over the years, while also pushing Josiah to finally confess his feelings to the crush he’s admired from afar for four years. What follows is a night full of fun, mishaps, and surprises—turning their final evening at the patch into something neither of them expected.
As a longtime fan of Rainbow Rowell’s work, I came in with high hopes for something sweet, quirky, and full of heart—and she delivered exactly that. While I was less familiar with Faith Erin Hicks’ artwork, I found that her illustrations blended seamlessly with Rowell’s writing and characterizations. Her art made the pumpkin patch feel vivid and immersive, as though I were right there alongside Deja and Josiah.
That said, I would have loved to spend a bit more time with these two. Pumpkinheads is a very quick read—which isn’t necessarily a bad thing—but I did wish for a slightly more developed ending. The story wrapped up rather abruptly, leaving certain aspects of Josiah and Deja’s futures feeling open-ended. I wouldn’t hesitate to read more about their adventures.
All in all, Pumpkinheads comes wonderfully close to perfection. It offers a compelling story, a touch of romance, gorgeous artwork, and characters you can’t help but root for. I’m eagerly looking forward to reading more from both Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks—whether they collaborate again or create separately!