Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

Title: Pumpkinheads
Author: Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Contemporary

It's the last night of the season, and the last season before friends Josie and Deja head off to college after four falls of working together. The Pumpkin Patch is the perfect place to experience fall, with pumpkins, kettle corn, corn mazes, hayrides, and just about any pumpkin product you can think of. It’s also Josie’s last chance to talk to his crush, Marcy also known as "The Fudge Girl". His shyness is only matched by Deja’s enthusiasm to try all of the treats at the patch one last time.

Pumpkinheads is an all in one night epic story, told by Rainbow Rowell and drawn by Faith Erin Hicks. The pumpkin patch sets up a variety of obstacles for Josie, and of course the reader gets to experience the great pumpkin patch with the friends!  Josie is a nice guy who doesn’t quite know what he wants, while Deja is a bold girl who is the kind of friend everyone needs.

Readers will be cheering them on, and it's hard to not enjoy this literary equivalent of a pumpkin spiced latte.

- Katie

Check out Pumpkinheads @ the library!

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Title: It's Kind of a Funny Story
Author: Ned Vizzini
Genera: Realistic Fiction

Craig is depressed.

Craig has a normal life. He has friends and a supportive family. He got into an exclusive high school, and now feels like he can't keep up. That's why he needs to hide in the bathroom at parties. That's why he sees a shrink. That's why he takes Zoloft.

But it's still hard.

Sometimes he can't eat, it just comes back up. Sometimes he can't get out of bed to do the things he needs to do, he just lays there. Sometimes he doesn't know how to say how he feels, or that there are tentacles pulling him down. Sometimes he wonders what it might be like to end it all.

The night he plans on going through with it, he finds the number for a hotline. The woman on the other end encourages him to check into a hospital to get the help he needs. That's how he ends up at North 6, with the other people how need to be observed before they can go back to a more normal life. With the help of the other residents of North 6, as well as his family and medical professionals, Craig finds out that life is really worth living. No matter what was bringing him down before, there is a reason for him to be alive.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, It's Kind of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini is going to be part of a Community Read. You are invited to read the book and join us in a variety of programs making our communities mental health an issue we discuss. Craig's story give us a glimpse into the workings of a depressed mind, and raises understating about mental health issues.

There will be events surrounding the book throughout the month of May, so check out the our website over at: www.westalliswi.gov/communityread. A community book discussion will be held on May 18th at 10 AM over at City Hall, and copies of the book will be available throughout West Allis at little free libraries, in addition to the copies the library has for check out.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, please do not hesitate to call the National Hopeline at 1-800-784-2433. Help is always available and your life is worth living.

-Katie H

Check out It's Kind of a Funny Story @ the library.

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

Title: The Book of Essie

Author: Meghan MacLean Weir

Genre: Domestic Fiction, Realistic Fiction

Esther Anne Hicks is 17, the star of the reality show “Six for Hicks,” the youngest daughter of a pastor and his wife who lead a large congregation, and pregnant. Essie, as she is known, is listening to the conversation where her mother and producers will decide her fate: have her disappear for a few months, give the baby away. Other suggestions are too risky to the family, of course. The one idea that sticks is to have her quickly get married, and hope the baby comes in a time line that makes it seem like a “honeymoon baby.” Knowing she has no real power in this situation, Essie chooses to lead her mother on the last path, having the ideal groom in mind.

Roarke is aware of Essie, as it’s impossible to miss the girl and the cameras, but unlike his friends he has no interest in the famous family. He is surprised when his family quickly rises in favor with the Hicks, realizing this relationship will save his family’s business. Forced time with Essie may not be the worst price to ensure his future.

Liberty Bell is more than just her past, but being famous for opinions online and a tragic past means she has to work twice as hard to prove herself in journalism. When Esther Hicks reaches out to her for an exclusive story, she can’t say no. However, she knows there is more to this calculated story than Essie is giving her.

Three stories strangely intertwine, as the past meets up with the present. Buried family secrets threaten the livelihood of the Hicks family, but is Essie the one who can break through?  

Readers who realize everything we see on TV isn’t real, or who watched the Duggar’s TV shows and followed the family scandal will want to pick up this fascinating look at family, and breaking free from expectations. 

- Katie

Check out The Book of Essie @ the library.