Pumpkin’s Downfall

by Leon Rosselson, Victor G. Ambrus (Illustrator)

Two hauntingly atmospheric stories from author/songwriter Leon Rosselson. Both stories feature a child who is seen to be 'different' by his/her peer group and both suffer bullying, resolved through a mysterious force, a ghostly spirit. Sarah is a tall awkward girl, very slow and dreamy who a an amazing rapport with animals. Because she is different, she gets teased by her classmates. The teasing becomes taunting and the taunting becomes aggressive bullying. Sarah ignores it but then the leader of the bullying turns his attention towards her cat...but he doesn't get away with it...The second story features Mark, a child with 'special needs' who can only talk through his glove puppet with a monkey face. Because he's different he gets teased too but he's befriended by Tim who tries to protect him. When Mark's glove puppet vanishes, Mark doesn't come to school. Tim tracks both down and discovers just how and why Mark came to be so different.

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2000

Reviews

[Stargazer]

2 stories about bullying for younger kids.

[Hayley]

I like the innocence with which this is written.