Visit Heather Vogel Frederick's Website Awards: 2014 Oregon Spirit Book Award! 2015 Edgar Award nominee for Best Juvenile Mystery! 2015-2016 Maine Student Book Award nominee | "A community is like a family, and every family has a few odd ducks. The important thing to remember is that they're still family." The community of Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire is the new home of 7th grader--and middle child--Truly Lovejoy. The family of seven moved to Pumpkin Falls (the 6th move since she started school) from Austin, Texas because Truly's grandparents want to join the Peace Corps and need someone to take over the family bookstore. When her father is injured in Afghanistan days before he is scheduled to end his tour, it would seem that the timing is just right for the family to make another move. Truly is less than thrilled about the move and she resolves to do her best to blend in when she arrives in Pumpkin Falls--not an easy task when you are the new kid in town, AND almost 6 feet tall, AND the ancestor of the founder of the town. Truly meets some new friends the first day of school and as a new mystery unfolds around a long lost letter in an original copy of Charlotte's Web, her circle of friends grows--as does her positive feelings about the move and Pumpkin Falls. |
I read this book in a day--I couldn't put it down! The characters are well-developed and likable. The setting is engaging and Frederick does a fantastic job of depicting life in a small New England town. There are many themes throughout the story including adapting to change, friendship, courage, and perseverance. This was one of those books that I didn't want to end! I hope that there are more adventures and mysteries in Pumpkin Falls in the future.