Giant Pumpkin Suite

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with an unexpected physical growth spurt, a shifting identity, or the feeling that they no longer fit into their old life. Rose is a tall, serious cello prodigy who feels increasingly distant from her twin brother and her own changing body. When a family accident upends their summer plans, she finds herself drawn into her brother's eccentric quest to grow a massive pumpkin for the state fair. This story beautifully navigates the awkwardness of pre-adolescence and the pressure of high expectations. It explores how community support and a change in perspective can help a child rediscover joy when their original plans fall through. It is a gentle, sophisticated read for the 8 to 12 age range that validates the frustration of growing up while offering a hopeful path forward through connection and shared effort.