I kind of read this book. I skimmed it more than I read it. I'm sure it was a good book but it had a lot to do with the main characters dead mother and that was a little too sad for me. But, usually if a book isn't for me, I have no problems returning a book to the library w/o finishing it. The ... more

I kind of read this book. I skimmed it more than I read it. I'm sure it was a good book but it had a lot to do with the main characters dead mother and that was a little too sad for me. But, usually if a book isn't for me, I have no problems returning a book to the library w/o finishing it. The fact that I wanted to skim to the end to find out if the girl won the pumpkin contest says a lot about the "hook" the author gave in the first couple chapters. It also says a lot about how the MC was written! If my heart ached so much for the main character in the first two chapters to illicit such an emotional response from me, the author did a great job of it! So, because of that, I'll still recommend it. I'm sure other people can handle "dead mother" stories better than I can.

To honor her Mom, eleven year old Mildred is determined to win the Circleville, Ohio, Pumpkin Show and fulfill a dream left undone by her mother’s untimely death. However, with each passing season something goes inherently wrong and her dreams are dashed again and again. Aunt Arlene is more than a... more

To honor her Mom, eleven year old Mildred is determined to win the Circleville, Ohio, Pumpkin Show and fulfill a dream left undone by her mother’s untimely death. However, with each passing season something goes inherently wrong and her dreams are dashed again and again. Aunt Arlene is more than a bit concerned about Mildred’s apparent obsession with pumpkins and tries, in her overtly pushy way, to persuade her niece to pursue more feminine interests, such as make up and fancy clothing. Thankfully, Mildred’s dad doesn’t agree with Auntie Arlene and continues to support his daughter and her individual dreams. Knowing and understanding his only daughter in ways that only a father can, he is able to challenge Mildred to take her future into her own hands and follow her heart with unbridled passion. Thus allowing herself to grow into the incredible young woman her mother always knew she would one day become.Kennedy’s attention to detail proves this to be a well researched novel that introduces readers to the relatively unknown competitions that require much more than good seeds and luck to produce a thousand pound champion. Well crafted and heartwarming, the characters could easily be members of your own family or next door neighbors. The narrative reads like a family tale told over a huge dinner, with lots of laughs, a few tears and the busy body aunt that always means well but just can’t quite find the right way to express herself without appearing… well, pushy. This is a coming of age tale that will be enjoyed by all, despite their age. A magical journey that is more about Mildred’s inner growth than that of her pumpkins. Chosen as a Junior Library Guild Selection, Marlane Kennedy’s solo debut, Me and the Pumpkin Queen is a first place read.Happy Reading!