Great Graphic Novels for Teens
1. Bibliography
Rowell, R. 2019. Pumpkin Heads. Ill. by Faith Erin Hicks. New York, NY: First Second. ISBN 9781626721623
2. Summary
Deja and Josiah (Josie) were best friends who worked together in the pumpkin patch, but never took their friendship outside of “The Patch”. Since it was their senior year, it would be their last Halloween working in the pumpkin patch, and Deja decided it would be the best Halloween yet. She decides she wants to help Josie meet “The Fudge Girl” since he never worked up the courage to do so, while doing this, she decides she will be trying all the different foods available as they set off on their quest. Deja’s idea to help Josie meet “The Fudge Girl” wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be, but at least the two were able to reminisce about their years spent working in the pumpkin patch. Finally, after overcoming various obstacles, Josie meets “The Fudge Girl” (Marcy) but she was not what he expected. Everything he loved about working at "The Patch", Marcy hated. Marcy tells Josie that she wishes she could have spent her last day of work with the people she truly cares about, and then it clicks. The person Josie cared about and wanted to spend his last day with was Deja. He sets off to find her, and expresses his feelings for her. The two kiss, and they leave the pumpkin patch holding hands, hopeful for what's to come as they finally take their friendship to the next level outside of working at the pumpkin patch.
3. Discussion
This was a great quick read that was fun and entertaining. I really enjoyed the graphic designs and how the illustrator matched the text so beautifully. This is one book students may find as a “fun read”, as there is no true objective or moral to learn.
I loved how the illustrations show the character's feelings so vividly. For example, adding lines around the characters faces when they are shocked or when the pink on the character’s cheeks make it known how nervous/shy the characters are feeling at that time.
As described in the slideshow found in our textbook, chapter 14 (Graphic Novels), the illustrator uses dialog balloons to show the narration between the characters, and uses many sound effects to show when the characters are eating or running around the pumpkin patch. The gutter between each panel separates them very neatly.
I believe middle and high school students would enjoy reading this story. Even though a bisexual character is shown in this graphic novel, I believe it is done so tastefully that it should not cause any problems.
4. Connections
This story is very entertaining and will have readers engaged throughout. I could see this graphic novel being used in an art class or in a classroom setting to discuss illustrations. A discussion can be made on how the illustrator shows the characters emotions and can have the reader relating to the characters by simply looking at the illustrations. A teacher can even block out the text bubbles and have the students come up with their own text based on the characters feelings/emotions shown through the illustrations.
I believe middle and high school students would enjoy reading this story. Even though a bisexual character is shown in this graphic novel, I believe it is done so tastefully that it should not cause any problems.
4. Connections
This story is very entertaining and will have readers engaged throughout. I could see this graphic novel being used in an art class or in a classroom setting to discuss illustrations. A discussion can be made on how the illustrator shows the characters emotions and can have the reader relating to the characters by simply looking at the illustrations. A teacher can even block out the text bubbles and have the students come up with their own text based on the characters feelings/emotions shown through the illustrations.
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