Title: Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlane Edwards
Publshed by Harper Collins, 2007.
Have you ever thought you could be the big prizewinner? Are you a gardener who dreams of growing the biggest vegetable? Mildred is an eleven year old girl who has dreams of entering a pumpkin in the Circleville, Ohio Pumpkin Show.
Mildred is a girl who is trying to come to terms with her mother's death two years ago. She lives with her Dad, who is a veterinarian. His sister, Arlene, tries to raise Mildred the way she thinks girls should be. However, instead of wanting fancy girly clothes and jewelry, Mildred would rather be a dress down type of girl. Her best friend is a boy named Jacob.
Mildred takes pumpkin growing to a new level when she plants special seeds. Her hero is Howard Dill who developed the Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds. Mildred gives up alot of fun activities in order to nurture her young seedlings. As she weathers many storms you find yourself rooting for her and hoping that she achieves her goal. Its not just the $2000 prize and trophy that motivate Mildred. Her mother would have loved to grow an award winning pumpkin that is taller than she is and weighs more than 1000 pounds.
I loved this book because I like pumpkins! I can relate with Mildred as we both have best friends that are boys. I'm not a real dressy girl and sometimes find it hard to fit in with my girl classmates like she does. This is an awesome book for gardeners, pumpkin lovers and eaters, and anyone who has ever had a dream. This is an excellent book for ages 8-12. Delight in some pumpkin today and pick up "Me and the Pumpkin Queen." Its delicious reading!
