Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Pumpkinheads
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Illustrator: Faith Erin Hicks
Publisher: First Second
Publication date: August 27, 2019
Pages: 175
Source/format: Paperback//Library

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

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?

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Pumpkinheads is the perfect graphic novel for the fall months. Deja and Josiah, who goes by Josie, work at the best pumpkin patch every autumn but this year is different. This year is senior year and it's their last chance to make every last second count. Josie has been crushing on his girl named Marcy, aka Fudge Girl. Deja is trying to help him ask Marcy out on the last shift. What are friends for? While trying to locate Marcy on the pumpkin patch, Deja and Josie run into every problem possible from a train coming down the railroad to helping other coworkers manage other parts of the pumpkin patch to even finding that their coworkers are messing up the succotash at the Succotash Hut.

Rainbow Rowell is a master at storytelling through friendships and relationships. Rainbow created a wonderful story about two teenagers who make their last day at work an adventure and a day they will never forget. Even though Deja and Josie struggle to find Marcy, they reminisce memories such as meeting for the first time during new employee orientation at the S'mores Pit to Josie teaching Deja how to do magic tricks. Rowell reminds readers to take one day at a time. She reminds people to make long-lasting memories. The humor in Pumpkinheads is perfect! Rowell always has some of the best humor in her stories. From interracial relationships to queer representation, inclusivity shines in this graphic novel. It even has wonderful character personalities. Readers learn a lot about Deja and Josie and feel like they've known them for their whole lives.

Illustrator Faith Erin Hicks does a wonderful job depicting all the locations of the pumpkin patch. The colors of the palette are full of autumnal colors and that set the mood. The added map of the pumpkin patch under the cover is a nice touch. When I was reading Pumpkinheads, I can almost smell the October air and can taste the kettle corn and caramel apples. You will want to snuggle up with a cup of hot apple cider during sweater weather when reading Pumpkinheads. Whether you decide to read this graphic novel during the fall months or at another time during the year, Pumkinheads is a must read! Take your time, wind down and enjoy!

Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Kindred Spirits
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: Macmillans Kids UK
Publication date: February 25, 2016
Pages: 96
Source/format: Purchased // Paperback

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 1/2

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

'Everybody likes everything these days. The whole world is a nerd.'
'Are you mad because other people like Star Wars? Are you mad because people like me like Star Wars?'
'Maybe.'

If you broke Elena's heart, Star Wars would spill out. So when she decides to queue outside her local cinema to see the new movie, she's expecting a celebration with crowds of people who love Han, Luke and Leia just as much as she does. What she's not expecting is to be last in a line of only three people; to have to pee into a collectible Star Wars soda cup behind a dumpster or to meet that unlikely someone who just might truly understand the way she feels. Kindred Spirits is an engaging short story by Rainbow Rowell, author of the bestselling Eleanor & Park, Fangirl and Carry On, and is part of a handful of selected short reads specially produced for World Book Day.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

This short story by Rainbow Rowell is magical! Rowell is an auto-buy author for me and of course I had to pre-order this beauty! Elena is third in line waiting in anticipation for the upcoming Star Wars movie, Episode VII: The Force Awakens. She ends up befriending Troy and Gabe. The weather is mild but mild in terms of December. With a pom pom hat, a sleeping bag and some Star Wars books, Elena is determined to stick it out for the four days camping outside the movie theater. 

I related with Elena. Although I am not a big Star Wars fan, I can understand the excitement waiting in anticipation for the next movie or book of a well loved fandom. For me, that fandom is Harry Potter. Although I did not camp out for four days to see a Star Wars movie, I definitely camped out hours prior to midnight releases. 

There is something special one experiences in a fandom waiting line. The people you meet are all in line for the same fandom you absolute love! Rowell writes characters that are real. They aren't perfect but that's why I like them. Gabe may be that geeky guy that sits in the back of Spanish class but so what? Despite each other's differences, people can appreciate the same love for a fandom. It's like a second family. A fandom unites people together. I don't feel out of place when I am hanging around Potterheads. The same is true for fans of other fandoms.

When Elena jokes around how she gets mistaken as a 12-year-old, I can totally relate to that. I am petite standing at 5'2" and I am constantly mistaken to be younger than I really am all the time. Elena with short arms, a tiny bladder, a love for Starbucks and Yodas on her cheeks definitely sounds like a version of me.

Although I love the short story, I found the ending to be unrealistic. I won't spoil it here but a true fan doesn't do what happened at the end of the story.

Kindred Spirits is hilarious yet adorable and quick contemporary read. If you are a huge fan of Stars Wars, fandoms and/or Rainbow Rowell, definitely get your hands on a copy.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Carry On
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication date: October 6, 2015
Pages: 522
Source/format: Purchased  // Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who’s ever been chosen.

That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.

Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story—but far, far more monsters.

My Thoughts

It's crazy how Carry On is about fictional characters from a fictional book called Fangirl. Now Fangirl is one of my all time favorite books and I HAD to read Carry On even though it's meta. Now, this is Rainbow Rowell's version of the Simon Snow series. This is NOT Cath's fan fiction and this is NOT a Gemma T. Leslie's novel.

Simon Snow, an orphan, is the Chosen One based on a prophecy. The Insidious Humdrum is the greatest evil and threat to Watford, the ultra exclusive boarding school for magicians. When Simon turned 11-years-old, the Mage visited young Simon at a children's house and brought him to Watford's to be trained as a Magician. However, Simon didn't know he will be the one facing the Humdrum.

According the the prophecy:

And one will come to end us
And one will bring his fall
Let the greatest power of powers reign
May it save us all

The novel is multi-perspective and it could confuse some readers at time. Rowell made it clear who is talking for each chapter since the speaker's name is listed under the chapter number. However, it is hard to figure out what happened during Simon's earlier years of life. Since Simon is in his 8th year at Watford's, readers miss out on seven years of adventures and discoveries. It's like reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and not reading the first six books in the series.

Simon and his girlfriend, Agatha, feelings for each other are constantly waning and they end up breaking up. His best friend, Penelope is always there for him in a Hermione like way. I love the banter between Simon and Penelope. I didn't really care for Agatha since Agatha annoyed me at times throughout the novel. Simon and Agatha didn't share a connection at all but then comes Baz.

The fact that Simon Snow is the most powerful magician alive. That nothing can hurt him, not even me.
That Simon Snow is alive.
And I'm hopelessly in love with him. 
-Baz

Carry On is quite nostalgic for me. Not only is Carry On similar to Harry Potter, but it also brings me back to my teenage years when I use to read a lot of Harry Potter fan fiction. Carry On has a lot of parallels with Harry Potter. My sister and I loved reading Harry Potter fan fiction whether it be regular or slash fan fiction. Baz and Simon reminds me of Draco and Harry. I used to read a lot of Drarry fan fiction so reading about Simon and Baz definitely hit home. BAZ! OMG! BAZ! He's definitely my favorite character! I love how snarky he is. He reminds me of a blend of Draco and Severus. And who doesn't like his full name, Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch?

I wish Rowell went into more detail about the setting of the magical world. There wasn't enough description and what I love about any book is an author thoroughly describing the surroundings. I also wish Rowell elaborated more on the Mage's intentions since it isn't fully fleshed out and I want to know about the Coven, Old Families and the World of Mages. The Humdrum had barely any background information as well. I was bothered by how some of the American words slipped into the British setting. Agatha says Merry Christmas instead of Happy Christmas.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but the ending felt rushed. All the action happens in Book 4. Also, without prior knowledge of Simon's other seven years and his past, readers need to fill in the gaps quickly. Rainbow writes with magic. I mean who doesn't like Simon and Baz? I wish there were more romance between Simon and Baz. Maybe I am just too hopeful. If you're having Harry Potter and/or Fangirl withdrawals, definitely pick up Carry On. 

Looking Ahead: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, Collector's Editions

So remember that special edition of Fangirl available in the UK only? Yes, the one with the emergency dance party poster on the underside of the hot pink dust jacket with the mint green amazing hardcover and pink embossed foil image of Simon and Baz with the ribbon bookmark.

Well, there will be more special editions of Fangirl being released on May 12, 2015. Rainbow Rowell just announced this today on twitter!

This time there will be three different covers, depending where you purchase the book from. Each edition will have an except from Carry On and will have gorgeous fan art. All editions are hardcover, contain the dance party poster and have a ribbon bookmark.

Images and information are taken from Rainbow's twitter

Barnes & Noble will receive the berry cover, Indigo Chapters will receive the pale yellow and indie stores and Amazon will receive the bubblegum pink cover. Check out the pre-order links!

Who is excited about these collector's editions? Do you have a favorite or are you planning to pick up all three?

Looking Ahead: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Did you hear the great news about Rainbow Rowell's upcoming book? It has something to do with Simon and Baz!

Image from foreveryoungadult.com

That's right, Rainbow Rowell mentioned on twitter about a Carry On book about our favorite Simon Snow and Baz characters we loved so much in Fangirl.

Image from tumblr.com

Rainbow Rowell ‏@rainbowrowell  1h1 hour ago1 hour ago

CARRY ON will be a Simon Snow story. And a Simon & Baz story. A love story. It's my 1st fantasy & it comes out in Oct. I hope you like it!

I'm not trolling you. I mean, I WOULD troll you. But I'm not right now: Real live Simon Snow book. PLUS MORE FANGIRL NEWS LATER THIS WEEK! 

This totally made my day! Who else is super excited about Carry On? Remember when I said Rainbow was one of my favorite authors? I think she is definitely might be my absolute favorite author of all time now.