The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin

                                    The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin

Lexile Level: AD640L

            This book is a very adorable book written by Joe Troiano and illustrated by Susan Banta. This book is about Spookley the square pumpkin. All of the other pumpkins in the patch were round, while Spookley was square. The other pumpkins would tease Spookley because he was square. Until one day the weather was nasty, and the round pumpkins rolled out into the bay Spookley the saved the day by wedging himself in-between the fence. The farmer saw what Spookley had done, and then next year the farmer planted all different types of seeds square, round, rectangular, triangular, and all different types of colors.
Is this a good story?

            This is a great story to tell around Halloween. This movie has a great message for kids, and it shows the importance of accepting others. This book also is very rhythmic, so it flows very nice when you read it.

What did the author want to tell me in the story? Was the theme worthwhile?
            The author wants to let the reader know to be accepting of everyone. At the end of the book it says, “you can’t judge a book of a pumpkin by its cover”. This theme is very great for kids of all ages to read. I think every child can connect with feeling left out or different, so this book has a good message.

Did the characters in the story grow? Where did we see that happen?

            Spookley the pumpkin saw his fellow pumpkins roll out into the bay and he took it upon himself to save the day. He tried with all his might to block the fence so no other pumpkins would roll out in the bay.

Is this story something that I think could happen? Is the plot believable? 
            This is not something that can actually happen. The pumpkins are personified. So the story is not believable for many reasons. Also, in the story the pumpkins are shown as all different shapes and colors at the end which is not the case for normal pumpkins.
            The author uses personification the pumpkins tease Spookley in the beginning of the book and Spookley has the ability to move when he wants to. The author also uses rhyme to help the story flow. For instance, “Spookley was different. He was odd, he was rare. Spookley the pumpkin wasn’t round- he was square!” (Troiano). The author also uses onomatopoeia, when Spookely blocks the hole the other pumpkins start to roll into him. The author uses words like “Whack thump smack”.

            The illustrations are very cute. The illustrator makes the pumpkins faces a lot of expression. The illustrator also uses a lot of bright colors. I think the pictures really help the reader identify with Spookley.
            A mini lesson I would have my students do is write a prompt before the read, “Tell us one time when you felt left out.” After reading the story I would have the students then write about how Spookley overcame that feeling.

Citation:
Troiano, J. Banta, S. (illustrator). 2001. The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Backpack    Books.