Yep. Let's go.
Deja, that's on the other side
of the park.
We've got nothing but time!
It's seven o'clock - the Patch
doesn't close for three hours!
We'll cut through Gourdy Golf,
go around the Freeto pie stand ... "
The yearly pumpkin patch has provided fall work for Deja and Josiah for the past three years. They like working together, and are best friends. It's the last night, and Deja is ready for adventure. Josie has a crush on the Fudge Girl, and Deja wants to find her so Josie can say hello for the first time. The two leave their stands and head out to see if they can find her.
Readers get to know a lot about each of them as the evening wears on. They encounter problems in making sure Josie has a chance to meet his crush before college attendance takes them all in different directions. Josie is shy and likes to follow the rules. He is not comfortable with events as Deja pushes him to move forward. Deja is funny, outgoing and knows and likes many of the young people who have jobs at the pumpkin patch. With her encouragement, Josie agrees to takes the chance to find and talk with the girl he has been dreaming of for so long.
They make a number of stops along the way. The Fudge Girl is never where she is supposed to be. As they go, they find unexpected adventure: an annoying young boy who steals one of Deja's treats, a new treat at every stop along the way, a runaway goat with a mission to upset the goings-on in the patch, getting lost in the corn maze, and almost not catching up to the object of Josie's affection. As well as that, spending all that time together has them exploring their own friendship.
Readers who like graphic novels will find much to like here. The bright colors of autumn create an ideal setting for young love. The two are terrific characters and their story is filled with humor, heart and discovery. I love the setting and the opportunity to explore the pumpkin patch fully. It is quite the place!
If you are not sure that you like graphic novels, this is a great place to start.
Happy Halloween!
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