Inspired by a greedy garden shop owner, Hattie and Dirk plot to grow and sell their own pumpkins. Can they outsmart Mr. Pinchly and a herd of hungry piglets? Straight from the Midwestern countryside comes the heartwarming story of two inspired, thoughtful, and ambitious farm kids. This heartfelt tale follows siblings Hattie Mae and Dirk Bramble as they turn Mr. Pinchly's greed and a friend’s hardship into an adventure filled with challenges, laughs, and surprises. Most days, Hattie and Dirk can be found weeding the farm garden or reluctantly snapping fresh-picked green beans. When they encounter a greedy garden shop owner and a friend in need, inspiration strikes. The pair set out to grow and sell low-cost pumpkins, hoping to give many more kids a chance to carve a jack-o'-lantern come fall. At first, their goal seems realistic. But naysayers and an unexpected force of nature (their own herd of hungry piglets!) combine to threaten their budding crop. As the duo faces doubt and destruction, they work to stay positive until a true surprise allows them to deliver on their promise. This clean, empowering tale models confidence and optimism in the face of adversity, introducing children to lovable characters whose motivation, faith, and empathy help fill their small-town world with kindness and generosity. A realistic fiction series written for children aged 5-12, The Adventures of Hattie Bramble books evoke the warmth and tone of beloved classics, including Charlotte’s Web and Little House on the Prairie. And young readers who enjoy the American Girl book series will delight in meeting Hattie. If you're a fan of Samantha, Kit or Kaya, Addy, Lea or Molly -- you'll want to add Hattie to your circle of friends. Plus, don't miss Mom’s Choice Award winner Hattie Mae’s Halloween , the first book in The Adventures of Hattie Bramble series! Awards & Recognition 2023 Reader's Choice Awards Fall Finalist 2023 Reader's Choice Awards 5-Star Review Reviews "A beautiful story, delicately crafted to evoke a sense of nostalgia for simpler times." - Reader's Choice Awards - "In her second Hattie Mae chapter book, Wargel presents a prospect that will please young readers: achieving victory over a selfish adult while also helping less fortunate kids. It's an old-fashioned and cozy tale that also provides a relatable example of resilience and perseverance." - Kirkus Reviews - "One of this story's biggest strengths is Wargel's descriptive yet accessible prose, which places readers squarely in these cool and breezy Midwestern fall scenes from the 1970s. Then there's Hattie's winning tenacity: even when she faces skepticism or things look grim, she strives to make the best of the situation." - BookLife Reviews - "A rich and wonderful read redolent with faith, hope, and love and pumpkins! Heartwarming." - Reedsy Review - "Through a child's purity of sight, Wargel discusses many character-building qualities with simplicity and ease. Growing up on a Midwestern farm, Hattie Mae shares the wonder and beauty she finds in nature, the need for responsibility, a keen sense of right and wrong, and confidence in herself and her beliefs. This book opens the door to numerous meaningful conversations between parents and children and students alike." - Sheryll H., teacher, BS, MA AMAZON REVIEWS A Glimpse of Farm Life with Great Messages for Kids "Want your kids to be entrepreneurial and kind? Get them this book! After witnessing a fellow classmate not be able to afford a pumpkin to carve for Halloween, Hattie and Dirk decide to take matters into their own hands. This was an entertaining read where the author does an incredible job of bringing her two main characters to life. Highly recommend!" - Verified Amazon Reviewer ********************* Hattie's Back with a New Adventure "I really enjoyed Hattie Mae's Halloween, so I was looking forward to seeing what she was up to next. This is a great early chapter book with a heartwarming and wholesome storyline." - Verified Amazon Reviewer ******************** Little House on the Prairie Vibes. Wonderfully Written. "While reading this book, I felt like I was there in each scene. I just love how the Bramble family works together as a family to take care of the land, farming, animals etc. Even though Hattie Mae and Dirk didn't always like what they were asked to do, they made the best of their time working as a team. This book was so endearing. I highly recommend it to children 8-12 yrs old or to parents of young children, to read aloud at bedtime." - Verified Amazon Reviewer *********************** Vivid Imagery "A story of faith and fortitude. One that allowed me to relive my childhood on the farm. Since the author used such vivid imagery it will allow any reader from any background to submerse themselves in the story and learn a little bit about actual farm life. This will be a favorite with my grandchildren." - Verified Amaz