The Green Kingdom

by Cornelia Funke, Unknown Author

From the New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke, known for the INKHEART series, comes this new adventure book.

Enter the story of Caspia, who sets out to solve a series of riddles, and as she does, she meets friends she could have never imagined.

Anywhere can feel like home if you are brave enough to put down new roots…

Caspia’s summer is transformed when she discovers a bundle of letters containing ten botanical riddles in this enchanting adventure.

Twelve-year-old Caspia hates big cities, especially one as busy as New York. So she isn’t thrilled by the news that her parents are taking her to stay in Brooklyn. But everything changes when Caspia discovers a bundle of letters, hidden in an old dresser. Each letter contains a ‘green’ riddle, with clues leading to a different plant.

The newest adventure from the award-winning author of Inkheart and Dragon Rider, Cornelia Funke weaves magic into every sentence of this new and exciting mystery set in the heart of New York City. The Green Kingdom is perfect for fans of the Greenwild series.

Three things you’ll find in this
Solving riddles
Mystery
New friendships

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fiction, Nature, Audiobook, Childrens

Paperback

About the author

Cornelia Funke is a multiple award-winning German illustrator and storyteller, who writes fantasy for all ages of readers. Amongst her best known books is the Inkheart trilogy. Many of Cornelia's titles are published all over the world and translated into more than 30 languages. She has two children, two birds and a very old dog and lives in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a plant lover, this book spoke to me. Plant facts woven into a sweet story of a girl on vacation with her family made this book a fun read for adults and kids alike.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute story, lots of annotations done and I absolutely loved the fun facts and little riddles for each plant that was named.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a sweet story, but rather… small. Just because a story is for children doesn’t mean it should have no conflict and no stakes, yet here we are.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose the theme of this book was about trying new things and learning about the plant kingdom. Having read Funke's other fantasy novels, I was expecting something different than this. From the synopsis I did expect a fantasy twist, but this is not fantasy. The content just seemed forced all around...to the characters interactions, personalities, the added topics to be relevant in 2026 and even the learning about the plant kingdom just felt unnatural as if they had a list of ideas they fashioned the story around which never makes for good storytelling.

The attempt to introduce some botany and herbalism into kids lives is commendable though.

[Janessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so comforting and nostalgic! It took me back to when to when I was 10, 11, 12 years old reading classics like The Giver and A Wrinkle in Time. Although this book takes place in modern day Brooklyn, it still felt like a sweet “fantasy” escape. What a rich story and concept centered around plant riddles of The Green Kingdom and a young girl on her first big adventure! Really enjoyed it!

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably close to a 3, but not quite a 3.... I did not enjoy this one as much as I hoped I would, especially being a fan of plants. It was disappointing. It was not terribly interesting, except for the plant bits. It reads like a very, very long picture book. My oldest tried to read it, too, and struggled to the point of DNF. I guess it really missed the mark with us.

[Ruba · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice change to read an illustrated children's chapter book about connecting with people through plants, seeking new adventures and planting roots in each place.

[GeeRace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has convinced me to start my own little garden.
Had a joyous time reading, and it is by far the prettiest book I have ever read. Also, the illustrations made it all the more magical.

[hpboy13 · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 35%.

I get what the idea behind this was – “baby’s first introduction to plants.” But my god, there has to be a better way.

Caspia is thirteen years old. Fully a teenager, by any definition. She’s old enough to wander the streets of Brooklyn by herself. She has thirteen years of life experience. And she, unironically, has her mind blown at the variety of plants ranging from trees to dandelions to roses. “Who would have thought there were so many members of the Green Kingdom?!”

… um, literally anyone who has been alive past age five? She’s shocked to discover there are more varieties of plants than just trees and flowers and grass, apparently. I could see this being through the lens of an intrepid seven-year-old to be read by five-year-olds. But I imagine any kid past second grade who picks this up will be insulted, roll their eyes, and go back to their smartphone.

Also, for the record, the entire premise is Caspia traveling from smalltown Maine to New York City. So the idea that she has never encountered plants before, and can only find them in Brooklyn, is laughable. If the reverse were true – NYC girl goes to Maine, finds gardens and ferns and forests and such, I could maybe suspend some disbelief.

And I know it’s a kids book, so the idea is light and fun, but there is no conflict. No challenge. No stakes. Not a single character who is anything less than helpful and charming. Even in children’s books, you want SOMETHING to get invested in, and the only thing to care about here is “Will Caspia ever find a second brain cell?”

[Kasie Cavanagh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review 1: The Green Kingdom
Date: 6.14.25

Title: THE GREEN KINGDOM

Author: CORNELIA FUNKE

Format: PHYSICAL

Genre: YA

Publisher: Dorling Kindersley (DK)

Favorite Character: JemiLa

Narrator: N-A

Translated By: NA

Rating: 3/5 coffee cups (Note: Cactus and palm tree stickers next to rating)

Quotes:

"You are a sculptress with Needle & Thread" - Rosalind

"When you Rub Dandelion leaves on your skin you can summon the dead" - Rosalind

"Blooms & Books, the most Beautiful flowershop, The Books are not for sale - only to display the Blooms."

Review:

(Note in margin: Ink ♡ Author Amazing Series -)

I picked this Book because its Stunning Sprayed Edges, gilded leafing on the hard cover and Vibrant dust Jacket. Caspia is wisked away to Brooklyn from Maine. She finds letters in the rental house + spends the summer solving plant riddles left behind by 2 sisters from 1958. I found it difficult to follow because its a childrens book with age 12-13 & cell phones, texting. I Also found modern day girls names challenging. Fascinated by Rosalind - Blind and an amazing outlook on life. Felt forced into Modern teentalk and forced diversity.
Inkspell, Inkheart & Inkdeath were her BEST.

[sofis · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book would be great for kids!!!!

As as someone who is not a kid, I wasn’t surprised when this landed flat for me. I bought it thinking it was a cute young adult book but it was actually wayyy younger. Although, from the perspective of it being a kids book it was wonderful. The amount of diversity in culture and the representation of LGBTQ was amazing. Plus, the advocating of taking care of the environment and explaining why nature/plants are so important warmed my heart. The relationships were healthy and boundaries were clearly stated, I appreciate that. These are the type of books the next generation should be reading. The characters were warm and fuzzy and the illustrations and descriptions were so beautiful and magical!! I often felt so cozy while reading, and I always thought how wonderful this book would be to a child. On the perspective of a book in general though, it was lacking. But it’s a kids book!!! The writing was not enjoyable and often I wondered if it was edited due to some mistakes. It happens though. The exclamation marks killed me but yet again this was a kids book lol. A good palette cleanser, but nothing insane.

[Jill Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle Grade Contemporary Fiction. Brooklyn, NY. Twelve year old Caspia is upset because she will be spending 11 weeks of her Summer in Brooklyn with her parents. She will miss her friends in Maine. Her family is renting a flat while her dad works on a construction site. Her mom loves to experiment with cooking and hopes to write a cookbook one day. Soon after they arrive at their rental, Caspia discovers 10 letters in a drawer. She opens each and discovers correspondence between two sisters in the late 1950’s. Rosalind, the younger sister, was blind and travelled with their botanist father. She sent letters to her sister Minna describing various plants. Minna would send her answer by making an embroidered piece. These letters kept Caspia busy trying to figure out what the plants were. She made new friends and discovered places in Brooklyn. I enjoyed figuring out the riddles and learning about various plants. The book jacket is lovely and the end papers look like pretty wall paper.

[Elinor Loredan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy read about finding friendships and interests in unexpected places and appreciating the history and uses of plants. Funke's work is usually bloody and dark, but this one was very gentle. The illustrations are perfect for the atmosphere.

Caspia's realization that what seems like an undesirable change can turn out to be a blessing resonates with me. Her mom is so cute with her cooking classes and cookbook.

The only complaint I have is Funke's efforts to be current. I'm not referring to the inclusion of texts and photos taken work cell phones--I enjoyed the inclusion of these elements--I'm referring to the allusions to environmentalism and LGBTQ culture. Funke clearly plopped them in to appeal to a certain audience, but the they add no value to the story whatsoever. Fortunately they are not included enough to ruin the overall experience.

[Laven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caspia’s story is such a sweet mix of adventure and growth. She’s twelve, hates the idea of leaving Maine for Brooklyn, but then stumbles on letters filled with plant riddles that lead her into the magical Green Kingdom. Along the way, she stays close to her old friends, makes new ones, and slowly realizes that home isn’t just one place—it’s wherever you’re brave enough to plant roots.

This short read was wholesome and heartwarming, with plants, friendship, and the joy of stepping outside your comfort zone. I loved how it balanced fun storytelling with real lessons about nature, while also touching on deeper topics like racism, sexuality, and climate change in a way kids can understand. It’s entertaining, educational, and perfect for young readers—or anyone who loves a gentle, uplifting tale.

[Sheikha Altheeb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Green Kingdom follows Caspia, a twelve-year-old girl who spends the summer in New York and discovers a series of botanical riddles that lead her on an adventure across the city, uncovering fascinating flowers, plants, and hidden places.

I loved how the story made exploring nature feel exciting. It genuinely made me want to look up the different flowers and plants mentioned throughout the book.

The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is that it’s clearly written for children and younger teens. While I enjoyed it, the story became a little predictable from the middle to the end.

Overall, I’d give it 4/5. It’s a cozy, heartwarming read that’s perfect if you’re looking for a light adventure with beautiful descriptions of nature.

[Union County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caspia is not happy that she has to spend her whole summer vacation in Brooklyn. What is she going to do when her dad is at his construction project and her mom is at cooking classes? Everything changes when she finds a stack of letters in a dresser. Each letter contains a plant riddle. As Caspia figures out the riddles, she makes new friends along the way and learns that it's ok to plant roots where ever she goes. Fun note: It ends with a riddle that the reader has to figure out on their own.

A great book for readers who like to figure out fun clues, adventures, friendships, and plants.

- Reviewed by Bethany S.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

MG
Contemporary

Beautiful!
The cover, end pages, and illustrations are lovely!

Full of ‘green riddles’ about popular plants & flowers.

12yo Caspia Turkel is rather disappointed when she finds out she will be spending her summer in Brooklyn instead of Maine, at least until she discovers a bundle of letters filled with ‘green riddles’ with clues leading to different plants. As she attempts to solve each riddle herself, she finds enjoyment in new people, places, and the plants she discovers.

This is a lovely story with lovable, diverse characters and lots of character growth and development and is perfect for plant lovers and anyone who enjoys puzzles and riddles!

[mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars ☆ i had this book sitting in my TBR for over a year so i finally decided to go for it. i had absolutely no clue what this was about nor that it was a kids book. i dived in completely clueless and with no expectations.

i actually quiet enjoyed it bc i LOOOVE plants and it was the perfect palate cleanser i needed from my main tbr to balance things out.

not my usual go to but it’s still nice and short enough to finish quick. unrealistic in many aspects but still heartwarming in others.

[Fi's Journey · Rating 3 out of 5]

"My father says that plants watch us just as we watch them."

This was a beautiful short novel and great narration (from Libby).

I loved the clues of finding plants and the friendships that Caspia makes on her journey in Brooklyn before going back to Maine.

More adventures. More places. But first and foremost more friendships that was the best spice in the soup.

3.5* stars

[Anushka Nagpal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Green Kingdom was a really fun book! I liked reading about adjusting to new change and how it can make you feel horrible at first but slowly grow on you. My favorite part was definitely trying to solve all the riddles like Caspia did. This book shows you what can happen if you learn to change your attitude and take a different approach to things. 😊

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this was a fun puzzle/mystery story involving plants. Readers that love the environment will enjoy this story. I loved that Caspia learned that change can be good and that friends are to be found everywhere.

[Svitlana Chaika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Чудова, легка і ненавʼязлива історія! Закохує у рослини та має чудову основу ідею про людей, що пускають коріння в різних місцях. Дуже актуально для мене зараз, після нещодавнього переїзду. А також, дуже легка англійська! Чудова книга для початківців в цій справі!

[Kaity K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was obviously not written for my age group lmao but it was super cute!! I think this would be perfect for any plant / cooking loving kids out there !! The only part I didn’t like was the boy lol he didn’t really serve a purpose imo

[Amber Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s cute. Loved learning about different plants and the various facts about them.

[Sage]

1

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cornelia Funke, what an adventure you led us on! It was so fun trying to figure out the clues to different plants. This was a wonderful example of family, friends, and growing roots.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love plants, but now I want to learn more about the history of plants & their role in mythology. Very interesting!

[Towntaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreading summer vacation away from her country home, the main character, 12 year old Caspia, finds riddles and adventure and friends in Brooklyn.

[Katy-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A major let down when up against the amazing fantasies of Funke’s that I was raised on

[Amanda Argan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful gentle and humble book. Loved the sweet connection to plants.