Patti Petrone Miller

Peter and the Pumpkin Patch Patti Petrone Miller

This was one of the most entertaining books I have ever read about Halloween. The authors have done a terrific job in giving hooks and holding suspense. Thirteen year old Peter and his new friend Emily are in seventh grade. She lives a couple doors away and one day Peter decides to visit her and her grandmother. Peter has just moved in from a smaller town and into a huge lonely city. His mother is ill from being allergic to so many pollen's in the air. Today she's down resting and Peter wonders what he can do to help. Emily's grandmother is asleep so she decides to show Peter something "special" as long as he can be trusted to keep quiet. She leads him up to the rooftop of their apartment building where she shows him a secret garden. It's lovely and the pumpkins that are covered are large and beautiful. Peter asks for one, hoping it might help his mother. Emily seems to think that it will as well. Peter asks his father to help him bake it and soon after eating some, his mother appears to feel better. The next morning she is a new person and Peter is wondering, what's going on. He decides to sneak out that night and find out what's under the other covering in that secret garden. He finds one that grows bigger and lovelier than the speed of lightening. He's just got to find out what's different about this special place. When he gets there, Emily and his parents are waiting for him. But there I go again. I'm not telling anymore about the Pumpkin King. You will love this story about love and harvest in the city. Enjoy!: )