Squashed succeeds through Ellie’s dry humor and her intense obsession with competitive giant pumpkin growing. The story balances a quirky rivalry with the genuine fumbles of a first crush in rural Iowa. Books in this family share an underdog spirit, a sharp-witted narrator, and a deep dive into an unusual, high-stakes hobby.
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with self esteem linked to physical appearance or is becoming overly fixated on external metrics of success. While the story follows sixteen year old Ellie Morgan as she attempts to grow a record breaking giant pumpkin for the Iowa State Fair, the heart of the narrative explores her internal pressure to lose weight to attract a boy named Wes. Joan Bauer uses humor and a rural setting to gently address how young people often conflate their self worth with their achievements or their size. It is a lighthearted yet meaningful choice for parents who want to normalize the awkwardness of first crushes and the drive for excellence while emphasizing that a person is much more than a number on a scale or a scoreboard. The story offers a healthy, secular perspective on perseverance and body image for readers aged 12 and up.
