cover image Giant Pumpkin Suite

Giant Pumpkin Suite

Melanie Heuiser Hill. Candlewick, $16.99 (448p) ISBN 978-0-7636-9155-4

In a warmhearted debut novel, Hill shows what happens when a serious-minded girl is forced to reevaluate her priorities and reach out to others. Twelve-year-old Rose Brutigan might not feel comfortable about her appearance (she’s grown seven inches since fall and towers over her twin brother, Thomas), but she’s confident about her ability to be a disciplined student both at school and when playing cello. As Rose prepares for an upcoming cello competition, Thomas and a neighbor, Mr. Pickering, need her help with another project: growing a giant pumpkin from a special and valuable seed. In spite of herself, Rose becomes increasingly absorbed by the gardening project and finds new neighborhood friends along the way, including reticent Mrs. Kiyo and noisy “Calamity” Jane, a girl Rose’s age. When a terrible accident renders Rose’s left hand useless and her precious cello broken, it takes the support of her newfound friends to carry her through hard times and open her up to new interests. Offering distinctive characters, a relatable plot, and some useful gardening tips, Hill’s story promotes connectivity in neighborhoods and communities. Ages 9–12. Agent: Carrie Hannigan, HSG Agency. (Sept.)