Cornelia Funke is an author enjoyed by my children and whenever I discover a new book, I know she will not disappoint. Lets's first talk about that gorgeous color awash in shades of green (nicely partnered with its art complement, red). The cover adds a bit of mystery as the reader wonders about the plants on the cover.

Caspia has mixed feelings about spending the summer in Brooklyn. Her father took a construction job and her mother hopes to finally write a cookbook. And poor Caspia is wondering how she'll survive 12 weeks without her two best friends. They rent a quaint place that looks like it belongs in a different century with floral wallpaper and embroidered items all throughout. While Caspia was [hitting her things into the ancient dresser in her room, she discovered a ribbon-wrapped stack of letters. She was surprised to find out they were written in the 1950's and were a series of riddles about plants ("The Green Kingdom").

Those letters open up a new world to Caspia as she explores Brooklyn in order to solve the riddles. As she frequents various local businesses to find the answers, she also makes friends: young and old, with a variety of backgrounds. The friends she adds are like the varieties of plants in a garden--each with their own beauty and strengths. And each friendship teaches Caspia more about the Green Kingdom and, more importantly, more about herself.

The treasure hunt using plants is a genius way to interest young people in the fascinating history and little-known uses of common plants. I loved how Caspia's mother's love of cooking becomes part of the adventure as she finds recipes using the featured plants (if only the recipes were shared in the book!).

I loved how so many old-fashioned skills were interwoven into the book: gardening, cooking, embroidery, sketching & painting and letter-writing. I can see this book being a fabulous springboard into trying out all of those skills.

I really enjoyed the story and highly recommend with only a couple minor cautions. The topic of same-sex attraction comes up with one of Caspia's friends--felt like an unnecessary detail thrown in. And the other small disappointment was when one of the 12-year-old characters uses a swear word near the end of the book. The character was a very polite and well-behaved boy; it seemed totally out of character to swear, especially in front of Caspia's father (and presented as just normal dialogue). Why throw in one swear word for no apparent reason?

I am a huge advocate of reading aloud to children and in this case, I would definitely suggest doing so. This allows a parent to either talk about the elements mentioned above or edit them out. In the case of swearing, I am THAT parent that skips over cuss words in books--kids hear enough profanity everywhere else and I believe books should elevate the mind, not debase it.

It was truly a magical book in almost every other way. I did feel the book ended rather abruptly--sort of felt like a conversation was cut short. I think readers will feel a bit let down that there isn't more to the story. Perhaps that was to leave open the possibility of a sequel or to allow the reader to speculate on what Caspia's next adventures might be.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of The Green Kingdom from DK Children through NetGalley for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received, and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I read an Advanced Reader's Copy on my Kindle and it was bit glitchy, but it looks like the illustrations are going to really add to this book. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a physical copy.

The story is heart-warming. Caspia and her parents spend a summer in Brooklyn, which Caspia is very relunctant to do; she will miss her friends and their summertime rituals in small town Maine. However, Caspia finds a pile of ten letters that include plant riddles which lead her to find many new friends in Brooklyn, and beyond.

I know of a reader who loves plants who will devour this book! Those who are not plant lovers may find a new interest in them as well.

While this is a lovely story and includes a lot of fun facts about plants, unfortunately, this one fell flat for me. I went into it with an expectation of a bit of magic/magical realism, and while it is whimsical in places, this is a story that sits solidly in reality, so those unmet expectations are on me. For a “country girl,” Caspia is (unbelievably) instantly comfortable navigating a strange, busy city entirely on her own (and are her parents?!). I also found the formula for the letters/riddles to get rather repetitive towards the end. The friendships she forms are sweet, but even a host of colorful characters didn’t quite balance the heavy inclusion of technology and lacking depth for me. Sadly, it’s a 2.5 star read for me.

Caspia is a real Negative Nancy for the first half of the book. She berates her family for dragging her away from all she loves to live in a place she has spent her childhood mocking. She picks at her friends' traits. Really, her attitude was almost enough for me to DNF. The inconsistency of the characters also chafed. A mother obsessed with cooking, and who knows random recipes that include wild plants, has a daughter with zero plant knowledge because they have no garden, no houseplants. Caspia claims she is a country girl having grown up in Maine, yet she has no rural interests. Her entire behavior is rich surbanite.

The saving grace to the novel was the green kingdom and the plant riddles. Rosalind's letters introduce really fun facts about some of the most commonly interacted with plants. We get to learn myths and legends about common plants such as dandelion, mint, apple, cinnamon, nettle, as well as enjoying a few more exotic choices. We experience the plant on culinary, medicinal, and artistic levels. The group of people Caspia meets on her journey to solve all the riddles are eccentric and build quite a community. I was pumped to see all of this in a middle grade novel.

The whole story tanked, however, when the author just had to step onto the soap box. There was zero reason for any of the forced tangents. Each interaction felt like stamping a box on the diversity bingo card to win the publisher's attention. The book really hit zero stars at that point. Since I read all the way to the end, I felt one star was necessary. Then, I decided to include one star for the green kingdom riddles and the personality growth Caspia does manage by the end of the tale. There is no way I can recommend this to other readers, though.

This is a sweet and charming middle grade novel. Caspia and her family moves from Maine to Brooklyn for a summer and Caspia discovers some old letters that lead her to see Brooklyn through new eyes, make new friends, and become a fan of "the green kingdom" (aka nature). She learns a lot, both about herself and the natural world. There's a slight hint of a budding romance, but nothing inappropriate happens, and it's a charming piece of the book. I recommend this for anyone looking for a low-drama book dealing with moving, or anyone wanting a low-stakes but sweet read.

BOOK REVIEW: “The Green Kingdom” by Cornelia Funke

Twelve-year-old Caspia is not excited to spend the summer in Brooklyn. Her dad got transferred there for the summer for a big job, and it’s the perfect place for her mom to work on her new cookbook! What will Caspia do all summer without all of her friends? When she arrives in Brooklyn, she discovers a small stack of old letters in her dresser. Each one contains a riddle about plants, with clues to try to figure it out. Caspia ends up making friends in the oddest places because of the letters, and when the time comes, she’s actually sad to leave!

I loved the idea of this book! Science is one of my favorite subjects and these riddles were the best way to make it fun!

However, because this book is aimed at 8-12 year olds, there was a lot that I didn’t love.

🌱Constant belittling of her mother by the grandmother
🌱Same sex attraction in children
🌱Talk of witches and pagan spirits
🌱The parents telling Caspia that she doesn’t need to tell them everything and it’s okay to have secrets from her parents.

For the reasons above, I can only give this book 3 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

"Caspia's summer is transformed when she discovers a bundle of letters containing ten plant-based riddles in this enchanting adventure for children ages 10 and up.

All right, she had to admit it: it really was an adventure to be in a new place. A different Caspia emerged here. A Brooklyn-Caspia, just like the Brooklyn-dandelion.

Twelve-year-old Caspia hates big cities, especially New York. So, she isn't thrilled by the news that her parents are taking her to Brooklyn for the whole summer.

But everything changes when Caspia discovers a bundle of letters, written by a blind girl many years ago, and hidden in an old chest of drawers. Each letter contains a 'green' riddle, with clues leading to a different plant.

Caspia sets out to solve the riddles and, as she does, she meets friends she could never have imagined and finds, to her surprise, that sometimes you can put down roots where you least expect it."

A wonderful way to appreciate the start of spring and new life.

This summer, twelve-year-old Caspia Turkel is spending eleven weeks in Brooklyn with her parents. A far cry from the rural Maine town in which Caspia has lived all her life, Brooklyn is intimidating with all its people, noises, and sights. On the first day in their temporary home, Caspia discovers a stack of letters from 1958, and each one holds a clue about a specific plant or flower. As Caspia works to solve the riddles from the letters, she is taken on adventures around her new city, exploring all the beauty and richness it has to offer and meeting friends along the way. This charming middle grade story is accessible both in its storytelling style and in the strategic use of imagery throughout the narrative. The plot is guided by the letters Caspia has uncovered, which serve as guideposts and stand out from the rest of the text, appearing as illustrations of letters amidst the traditional chapter designs. Additional images are interspersed within the novel, as well, offering readers a way to visualize Caspia’s experiences while also providing a visual respite from the text. Though the plot of Caspia’s faunal research is the primary focus of the novel, readers will appreciate the transformation Caspia undergoes in the process, becoming increasingly more confident in a place where she initially feels incongruous. Filled with engaging writing, memorable characters, and an interactive premise, this is a delightful addition to library collections for newly independent middle grade readers.

It was a short easy read. Based off the cover and title you expect one kind of book but get delivered something else, all city, reality and pavement not a magical lush green jungle type gardening world. I probably wasn't the target audience here as its really not my cup of tea but for the right reader I'm sure it'd be a hit.

Caspia lives in Maine and is not prepared to spend her summer Brooklyn, of all places. When she finds a bundle of letters with a riddle inside each, her entire outlook changes. As she solves the plant-based riddles, she makes a lot of interesting friends.
I loved the riddles and learning more about the history and mythology of the plants. Caspia and her family were kind characters and I wished I could make friends as easily as she did. I also wished there was a second book with some of the other riddles that were alluded to.

Thank you to NetGalley and DK Children for this DRC.
#TheGreenKingdom #NetGalley

Away from home for the whole summer was not Caspia’s idea of a fun time. And to Brooklyn of all places! But after finding a bundle of letters and given the freedom to explore, Caspia finds that things in Brooklyn can be an adventure. An adventure that leads to newfound friendships, closeness with her family and a love for plants that make up the Green Kingdom!

I toroughly connected with Caspia and her shyness in a new place and the uncertainty of it all. I loved the letters and the adventure of discovery! I hope you enjoy this book, too!

This is such a cozy coming of age adventure, perfect for a summer read. The colorful cast of characters is delightful and the riddles within had me guessing as the reader and wanting to start my own little “Green Kingdom”. The story of friendships and connections is one that is not soon forgotten and surely revisited.

This was so sweet!! I was expecting fantasy, which is my fault because the description doesn't mention that, but it was a very heartwarming story and I feel like could really spark some new interests in kids/tweens.

So cute!

I loved this book— from the darling illustrations to the curiosity-inducing botanical riddles, topped off with multigenerational timelines weaving to create a story that is sure to inspire readers to ponder and explore. By sleuthing out riddles within a series of found letters, 12 year old Caspia spends her summer in a new place, filled with new friends, exciting culinary creations, and a glimpse into the past. A wonderfully engaging story for readers who enjoy tales about witty and curious children like themselves— appropriate for most older elementary readers and up.

I love anything Cornelia Funke writes and this was just as enchanting as Inkheart to me! I adored this book so much and judging by the kinda odd last sentence I'm guessing there will be a book 2. It ended and I felt like I was missing pages so I really hope book 2 is on the way. This will make you want to plant a garden and nurture your little plants. This would be the perfect book for spring and create a garden with your young readers/listeners.

I’m a bit torn on this one.

On one hand, it’s such a lovely story with a diverse group of fun characters. Caspia spends a summer in Brooklyn solving plant-themed riddles while meeting new friends and discovering adorable shops along the way. It’s filled with plants, books, flower shops and spices - what could be better!

On the other, the writing and execution leaves a bit to be desired. It’s obviously geared towards middle grade/teens, but reads like it was written by a middle-aged or older person. Phrases like “heavens, she really did like him” and “gosh what was she saying” are at odds with the characters age (Caspia is 12, almost 13).

Another reviewer made the comment that this is one of those books that adults will like and want to read to their kids. But that kids themselves won’t love it or be drawn to it. I (unfortunately) agree.
I hope I’m wrong because it really is a lovely idea for a story.

A cozy children's novel about a young girl who spends the summer in Brooklyn learning about plants after she discovers old letters in her AirBnB. The story is slow and feels weirdly dated, despite being written recently and set in 2025. The pacing and minimal plot reminded me a bit of the various Little House on the Prairie books. Not for me, personally.

Caspia leads a charming life in her small hometown, surrounded by her two best friends, mom, dad, and grandmother. But when her dad's job pulls her away to Brooklyn for the summer, Caspia isn't thrilled about spending time in an unfamiliar place. On her very first day at the B&B, she stumbles upon a bundle of letters that sparks an unexpected adventure—one filled with plants, new friends, exciting places, delicious food, and, most importantly, fresh perspectives.

This story is an absolute delight—cozy, heartwarming, and brimming with plant riddles, culinary discoveries, and the joy of new experiences. The lessons of embracing new possibilities would have captured my 12-year-old book-loving heart just as much as they did the more mature version of me today. It's a truly enchanting read, and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and DK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Green Kingdom is an adorable book,
I found Caspia to be a likable character, and her experiences will leave any preteen feeling seen. The riddles were clever and the overall message, that we can put roots down everywhere is one that many readers will benefit from.

This a delightful bite sized story. That reads like a love letter to plants, books, and different cultures. The riddles that Caspia finds with the letters. Tease your knowledge of botany and show the many influences and uses of each plant. I loved all the unique shops and gardens she visited. The characters are all varied and interesting too. An enchanting read.

(Thank you to Netgalley for the arc)