yess I was stoked to get an ARC of this! I love Julie Murphy's funny, warmhearted, fat-positive books. I love that this opens with Waylon's love of a clear analogue of RuPaul's Drag Race and a clear call-out of RuPaul's ongoing fatphobia (among other issues). That show is popular with a lot of teens (LGBTQ+ and otherwise) who I think will love reading about it and relate to Waylon's feelings about it. I also love that it shows teen ambivalence toward college and acknowledges that that doesn't need to be the path for everyone. It just rang true to a lot of Big Feelings that high school seniors particularly face, but plus also cute prom romance and elder drag queens mentoring queer youth.

Just an overall delightful spot of joy in my reading week!

A fast, enjoyable read with a wonderful new character and some returning favorites.

As always, the relationships shine brightest--between Waylon and his twin sister, Clem, between Clem and her girlfriend Hannah, the relationships all the teens have with their grandmothers, and the budding friendship Waylon has with Tucker after they paired together on the prom committee.

“ Because drag is more than makeup and gowns and bodysuits and tucking and sequins and wigs. Drag is about what you exude. Drag is a choice.”
🎃
Waylon Russell Brewer has 3 Waylons. The Waylon before he came out to his family, the Waylon he’s living as now in his small Texas town and the Waylon he can’t wait to be when he and his twin sister, Clementine, move to Austin after graduation. But when Clem throws a wrench into their post-grad plans, Waylon must decide who he is without his twin. This new Waylon runs for prom queen, performs at a beginner’s drag night as Miss Pumpkin Patch and starts a new romance with someone he thought he hated.
🏳️‍🌈
Let me begin this love letter to not just Pumpkin, but the entire Dumplin franchise by saying how important Julie Murphy’s writing is to an entire community and beyond. As someone who is a school librarian in a small Texas town, it’s so important for the Waylons and Hannahs and Clems that I work with to be able to see themselves in a book. Up through about ten years ago they couldn’t. There weren’t #fatpositive #bodypositive #lgbtqbooks in the libraries when I was growing up in this same town. But thanks to authors like Julie Murphy (who is the QUEEN of writing about all these issues and then some) I can put books like Dumplin, Puddin, Faith, Sweet Pea and now Pumpkin on our shelves for these kids to read about, as well as allies to support. This YA book showed what’s it like to be 100% yourself, even when it’s hard (and isn’t high school when it’s the hardest sometimes?) It also talks about how it’s ok to not know what you’re going to do after high school, something not enough young adult books talk about IMO. Overall I’m going to miss these characters that Mrs. Stroud introduced me to when she booktalked Dumplin to her 8th graders when I first met her. Clover City will be missed, but in a lot of ways I see it in the town I work in and with the students who attend my school. They need Willowdean, Millie and Waylon. I am honored to share Julie Murphy’s masterpieces with them. Thank you @netgalley for the advanced readers copy. Grab yours 5.25!

I have nothing but good things to say about this book. It was sweet and heartwarming and a little swoon-y. Julie Murphy's reflections on fatness and self love are the best I've ever read, and her tender writing about drag, Texas, high school, prom, and all the terrible and wonderful things that go along with all of them is magical. I will be recommending this (and Dumplin' and Puddin') to every teen I see between now and the end of time.

This book is super cute, and it's a fast read! As a fan of RuPaul's Drag Race, I loved the incorporation of the drag reality show in the book. Waylon was such a great protagonist, and I enjoyed reading about his confidence. Although I haven't read the previous two books, I would highly recommend Pumpkin!

If you love Julie Murphy -- Pumpkin does not disappoint! The story revolves around Waylon and his twin sister Clementine as they navigate romance, the prom, being out & overweight and plans for after high school. The ensemble cast of characters is wonderful and you will be happy to know that there are appearances of characters from Dumplin' and Puddin' (you do not need to have read either book before hand though). This sweet story about acceptance, finding love, and finding yourself was a fresh and much needed read. It was so refreshing to read a novel where the big boy gets the boy in a happy ending!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarperCollins for this absolute gem. This was a full-blown five stars for me, y’all. I liked Dumplin’ and adored Puddin’ but this one blew them both outta the water. I can’t say enough good things about this story. Waylon’s narration was a joy to read; it was a lovely blend of humor, introspection, and self-assurance, and I knew exactly who this kid was after about five minutes. Julie Murphy’s cast of (effortlessly diverse!) characters are loving and supportive of each other but also had real high-school problems. Waylon and Tucker also gave me extremely David and Patrick vibes, which just made it that much more adorable.

I was sent an ARC of this book by the publisher, which in no way influences my opinions of the books, but I do want to thank them for the opportunity to read this early. Pumpkin is a about a fat, gay teen boy who is nominated for Prom Queen after his audition for a drag show is leaked. This is set in the same universe as Dumplin’ and Puddin’ and you’ll see a bunch of characters from those two books in this one. This was an enjoyable story. Murphy is a fat woman and the fat rep in the book is done really well. I like the fact that Waylon acknowledges he has his own insecurities about his body without every page being about his weight. I loved the friendships, the relationship between Waylon and his twin sister, and I did enjoy the growing relationship between Waylon and Tucker… even though Tucker felt and acted a whole lot like Bo, not going to lie. Something else that I really appreciated was the fact that Murphy has poverty rep in this story. It’s stated multiple times that Tucker works to provide food for him and his family and frequently works at his dad’s autoshop because his Dad is an alcoholic and sometimes can’t pull himself together to get his job done. In a lot of YA books, you see the kid leaving home or deciding to do what’s best for themselves, and Tucker is adamant that he’s staying in Clover City to take care of his dad and the shop… which is a reality for a lot of people. I have nothing against stories where people leave abusive homes and situations but Tucker and his Dad seem close and his Dad has an obvious problem and isn’t necessarily abusive and it felt very realistic to me to have Tucker want to take care of his remaining parent. I haven’t ever wished for a sequel to any of Murphy’s stories but I would love to see what Waylon does after graduation and if he becomes the drag Queen he has always wanted to be. This book also talks about how college isn’t for everyone and you don’t have to go to college to be happy or successful and… it kind of looks at how happiness and success doesn’t look the same to everyone and how a lot of people don’t mind working different jobs in order to be able to create and pursue their art, which I think is really awesome to see in a YA book. PUMPKIN will be released on May 25th and I highly recommend it if you have enjoyed Murphy’s other books.

Waylon Russell Brewer is a charismatic, joyful, quick-witted teenager who is counting down his days left in his small hometown. His family loves him fiercely and they are always there as a support system. This helps him overcome a breakup and [an attempt] public humiliation. While processing his situation and his future, Waylon makes a choice to go "Full Waylon" and doesn't look back.

Pumpkin is a beautiful celebration of LBGTQIA joy even when others want to tear you down. Waylon is a treasure and I was engrossed in his story from page one. Returning to the Clover City - verse also felt like a gift. There has been so much uncertainty over the past year, and reading this story felt like a hug. Waylon's story truly shined, but I loved hearing from Dumplin' and other characters from the past.

Pumpkin is the end of the Clover City collection and while I will always want more, it was the closure I've been looking for. This book was beautifully written, brought tears to my eyes, and will be a gift to so many young adults. I already have Dumplin' and Puddin' in my classroom library and will purchase Pumpkin as soon as possible! Students will find joy and love in from pages and I can't wait.

A huge thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this ARC of Pumpkin. It was the joy I needed on a cold weekend and I can't wait to share it with others.

Waylon's life in Clover City isn't what he dreams of for his future. While he is not closeted, being gay in his small Texas town has been no easy feat. He isn't the only out gay guy in school, but being fat has made him a favorite target for all the haters. Getting to graduation and moving to Austin with his twin sister is the first step to going full-Waylon instead of tamping down his fabulousness. That plan is disrupted when Waylon finds out that Clementine has started to make other plans and hasn't included him. In his upset, Waylon decides to make an audition tape for his favorite show- Fiercest of Them All- a drag competition. His video, for better or worse, gets leaked to his peers and his alter ego - Miss Pumpkin Patch- earns him a nomination for prom queen. Though he is certain the nomination was malicious, Waylon decides to embrace his inner queen and make a serious attempt at winning.

Pumpkin is full of familiar characters from Dumplin' and Puddin' and gives me all the same warm fuzzy feelings I got from those. I think Waylon is very relatable- even though he is comfortable with his sexual orientation, he is not comfortable with his body and tries to hide it, which results in hiding a lot of his personality. I think this is something that a lot of teens can relate to- I know I would have! I did peg his love interest the first time the name was mentioned in the story- but I don't know if that is predictability in the writing, or just that I am an adult who is well-versed in YA love stories! :)

I would recommend this to all of the existing Julie Murphy fans and to any HS (maybe MS too) librarians who are always looking to expand their LGBTQ+ selections.

The Dumplin and Puddin books were some of my student's favorite books the last few years (partially in thanks to the Netflix movie). With a new story, I'm sure they'll all fight over the book again. Pumpkin focuses on Waylon, a gay teen in small-town Texas who just wants to move to Austin and live his authentic life. When his peers mock-nominate him for Prom Queen, he embraces it and the story revolves around the typical "gay in a small town" trope that people love. That being said, I still liked the book, even if it was predictable and I knew what would happen. I'm so not the target audience or demographic, but I respect that. Really, if you loved the others, the Netflix movie, or simply want a feel-good story, this is for you.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publishers of #Pumpkin for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

#PumpkinYA
Julie Murphy has found a niche. Pumpkin is about finding your place in the world and making sure you are heard. Waylon is every kid that has been looked at or treated like they don't measure up. The novel is clear. Be yourself, love yourself, and be good to others.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins/Balzer & Bray for the digital ARC!

What's not to love about a Julie Murphy book, seriously? Big feelings, compelling characters, sweeping romance (both about loving yourself and a sweet love story), transformational movements, healing, etc., etc.

I loved reading Waylon's story. You will too-- especially if you're a fan of her other books set in this town (or of drag). I did feel like I had some questions re: Tucker, especially regarding their relationship, which the book could have slowed down to make room for (there was so much else happening!), but I loved that the book really focused on Waylon and also on alternate high school narratives (I.E. you don't have to leave the small town and go to college to be "successful").

Great read! Definitely recommend!

Julie Murphy has a knack for having you fall in love with her characters. I thought this book was funny and sweet and a timely topic. Although I have read her other books, this book can stand alone. I would recommend to preteens and teens.

**I received an ARC from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Pumpkin. It has the same theme of believing in yourself and not letting others stop you from being you as Dumplin, which I loved. If you're a fan of the Dumplin series, you'll like this third installment.

Dumplin’ hasn’t been my absolute favorite series, so while I wanted to read this one, I wasn’t *super* excited.

HOWEVER, very quickly I realized I was drawn to Waylon much more than Will and Millie. Maybe it was because there was less whining and more confidence? Although Waylon’s weight still played a large role, with him also being gay, it was never really his problem. The book wasn’t focused on his insecurities or acceptance. Instead, the book told the story of Waylon fully embracing himself—which includes fabulous outfits and the creation of Miss Pumpkin Patch!

I just love a sassy, strong protagonist, and Waylon fit the bill💃The last book I read that had twins made me mad because they were so selfish and awful to each other. Clem and Waylon, on the other hand, seemed so much more real. It definitely wasn’t always sunshine and daisies with them, but you could genuinely feel the love between them and the support they had for each other. Waylon’s love interest, Tucker, was also a nice addition. Romance wasn’t the true focus of this book, but it was definitely a nice change to have a gay subplot that wasn’t centered on being too scared to come out or being too concerned with how others will see them. I have no problem with those stories at all, but it was refreshing to read a story where it’s two gay boys forming a new relationship out in the open, like the vast majority of straight romance stories out there!

This book was truly such a fun, delightful read. It was fast-paced, light and definitely something to read if you just want to smile for several hundred pages.

4/5⭐️

This book is so cute! I am a big Julie Murphy fan and this book does not disappoint! It is a pretty fast read, so feel free to stay up late to finish it! I wish that I had books like Dumplin’, Puddin’ and Pumpkin when I was a teenager and feeling extremely self-conscious about my big body. Julie Murphy just gets the fat teen experience right and it is great to read about characters that are okay with their bodies, maybe even confident, even though they might feel self-conscious or afraid to be their true selves. It is a breath of fresh air!

This story centers on Waylon Brewer. He is a tall and fat gay guy from Clover City who just wants to blend in while he is still in high school/living in town. He wishes he could be his flamboyant and true self, but feels scared that he will be ridiculed or hurt by people’s reactions. Instead, he keeps a closet full of clothes for his “future self” to wear when he is living in a bigger city. After a video featuring Waylon doing drag for the first time is accidentally released to the student body, Waylon gets nominated for prom queen as a joke. That is the last thing Waylon wants, but together with Hannah Perez (who you’ll remember from Dumplin’ and who was also nominated for prom king as a joke) they lean into it and decide to take it seriously. There is some romance for Waylon, cathartic confrontations with people that have hurt him in the past, and embracing his fat, femme, gay self and his drag persona, Miss Pumpkin Patch.

You should probably read Dumplin’ and Puddin’ first before diving into Pumpkin. The main characters from each book make an appearance and there are call-backs to events from both books. I did not reread the two books beforehand, so I had to think really hard to remember who everyone was and their stories. It kind of diminished the book a tiny bit for me. I liked how Murphy brought all the main characters together by the end of the book, though. What was once three small friend clusters morphed into one big fat-positive queer supportive group.

Something very small, but really meaningful for me was Waylon’s prom court legacy project. It was a wall in the school with the words “WE ARE:” painted on it and students were encouraged to anonymously write their truths, whether serious or silly. There was a small sampling of what students wrote, and one was “Ace for days!”. That tiny bit of representation made me tear up (against my will)!! That whole section with the WE ARE wall was a tear factory for me, but I loved every second of it.

Oh! I loved this 3rd installment of the Dumplin' franchise. Waylon is fabulous and a lot of us can learn a lot from his bravery and resilience. Waylon aka Pumpkin knows himself well, and while he could be more comfortable in his own skin, it was delightful to see him grow in his self-confidence.

This book was received as an ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books - Balzer + Bray in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this book from cover to cover. The modern twist on the ultimate prom story. Waylon's story is exactly what I have been preaching to everyone I know. Always turn a negative into a positive. When you're audition tape gets leaked and you are a joke nomination, don't sulk about it, make a statement and run for prom court and go out of high school with a bang. This has such a great message that I was smiling from ear to ear throughout the entire book. I know our young readers will get inspired and relate to Waylon and achieve their dreams.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Pumpkin was a satisfying conclusion to the Dumplin' series and I loved every minute. I think readers will connect with Waylon's confidence and self-doubt about his future. The side characters are also all amazing, and we get to catch up with all of our favs from the previous books. Julie Murphy is one of my favorite authors and I am sad that we are leaving our Clover City friends.