An aspiring drag queen grows to embrace his body and individuality in this winning YA contemporary novel.
Waylon Brewster, who is fat and "the kind of gay that announces itself and asks for a wide berth," has always stood out in his small West Texas hometown. Waylon is counting down the days until he can transform into "Waylon Stage Three": graduate, move to Austin with his twin sister, Clementine, and live his truth. For now, Waylon wants to keep a low profile, but a video of him auditioning for the drag competition Fiercest of Them All goes viral. When, as a "joke," Waylon is nominated for prom queen and Hannah, Clementine's Afro-Dominican girlfriend, is nominated for prom king, the two decide they'll show the haters by running for the crown and winning. Finally, Waylon steps into the spotlight and learns to live for the present after spending years "waiting for my moment."
Julie Murphy (Dumplin'; Puddin') populates Pumpkin with a captivating cast of supporting characters, including Clementine and Waylon's eccentric grandmother; the annoyingly handsome prom king nominee Tucker Watson; and Waylon's "self-proclaimed frenemy," Kyle Meeks. Waylon's relationships with these characters form the emotional core of Pumpkin; moments of humor and warmth work together with commentary on body positivity and gay rights. Waylon often feels like "I have to offer something... that absolves me of being fat and gay," but, happily, finds self-acceptance through his drag alter ego, Miss Pumpkin Patch. Murphy celebrates Waylon and drag as "more than makeup and gowns and bodysuits and tucking and sequins and wigs. [It's] about what you exude." --Alanna Felton, freelance reviewer