The Legends of Greemulax

by Kimmy Schmidt, Sarah Mlynowski

Following in the tradition of J. K. Rowling and Roald Dahl, Kimmy Schmidt is an exciting new voice in middle-grade fantasy adventure. This debut will change the way boys and girls everywhere see the world -- and each other!

Penn dreads the day that he will start to become a monster, but it's inevitable. The youngest of his tribe in Greemulax, he knows that as boys become men, they turn into powerful, hairy blue creatures called Grabagorns, and that their solemn vow is to never again be weak.

Legend has it that dragons all but destroyed Greemulax years ago during a terrible time known as the Great Scorch. Not one of the tight-knit community's girls or women survived, and the men, ruled by Grabagorn Prime, have lived in mourning and anger ever since. But when one of Penn's dragon traps catches a real live girl named Kristy, he starts to question everything he thought was true.

Together, Penn and Kristy set off on an adventure that will take them to a tugboat in a tree and through a treacherous lake of pudding, toward a candy forest guarded by dragons that might hold the answers they seek. The more time they spend with each other, however, the faster Penn transforms into the monster he fears, and the more Kristy seems to fade away into nothing. Can they reach their destination before it's too late?

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

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 2, 2019

Reviews

[Eli - Bookworm & Vine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, must read it as Kimmy Schmitt narrating.

[Krysta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/12/1019
I have to admit that I was nervous going into this and set my expectations pretty low. TV shows/movies being turned into books really jives well, and while I know this was written by a novel writer and about the book KIMMY wrote and not the show, I still was worried this would feel weird.

But it wasn't! In fact, it was genuinely lovely. A beautiful feminist/equality message told in a voice for children. I'd recommend this for any teacher to have in their classrooms! The characters are fun and in the little time we get to spend with them, feel well-rounded and developed.

Obviously this book is especially fun if you watched the show as you see the connections between the characters in Kimmy's book and her real life. The author really nails Kimmy's voice and it truly feels as if she wrote it herself. Highly recommend the audiobook if you're a fan of the show, as Ellie Kemper narrates! I'd totally re-read this again.



4/4/2019
Got my copy today!! Ready to dive in. Will be listening along with the audiobook as well since Ellie is narrating.

2/22/2019
Me waiting for this book:“I learned a long time ago that a person can stand just about anything for 10 seconds, then you just start on a new 10 seconds. All you’ve got to do is take it 10 seconds at a time.”

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because one of the librarians in my consortium was mad that a fictional character could be credited as a primary author, and I had to be like "Too bad, I don't make the rules!" Then I thought "Ooh, I loved Kimmy Schmidt, I'll read this."

It was just ok, pretty cute but kinda didn't nail the tone I was hoping for.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

February 2019
I’ve been a very big Sarah Mlynowski fan for many years and am super excited to see this project come about.
Getting to ghost write for a fictional character’s novel at the end of a hugely popular tv series and having it be promoted, supported and therefore recommended by news networks and celebrities is really amazing.
I’m sure the book is going to be an outstanding and funny read. I mean, how could it not? Written by a great author and in the voice of a funny character.
Looking forward to it.

January 15, 2020- January 19, 2020
Almost 1 year later and I finally get to read this masterpiece!
I was hoping to have it be one of my last books of 2019 [see here [book:The City of Lost Fortunes|40796071] ], but it joined the bringing in of the new year!

I love that this book works as a timeless piece. Its good as a coming of age Junior read but also makes the perfect accompaniment for those who are fans of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The 'easter eggs' of things from the show heighten the knowledge of the effort and funny mentions within the book but can easily be imagined for the 8yr old reader not knowing about the show.
Titus as Turgon & Lilian as Lilibop & Jacqueline as Jackelion etc just add to the fun of the adventure.
Reads a bit like a longer and more adventurous version of When Sophie Gets Angry -- Really, Really Angry - learning that we each have a little bit of frustration and anger in each of us but its about being able to control it and not loose sight of the purposes in sharing and friendship. Also enforces strongly the ideas of confidence, working together and standing up for what we believe in when it is important to us. All the things that are already amazing, but even better when discovered while in a forest of candies that give varying respective powers.

p.67 Just count to ten seconds. Then you'll be okay.
p.100 Every time he starts to loose his temper, I remind him that's not who he is. His anger doesn't control him.
p.209 I vow to be mindful by always speaking my truth! If I understand how I feel - even if I'm angry - it totally helps to tell someone instead of burying my feelings. Then I can stay solid and bright - and keep my head - all the time!

If you've gotten to the end of this I recommend Sarah Mlynowski's other books for young readers, teens and adults. Check out the Magic in Manhattan: Bras & Broomsticks/Frogs & French Kisses series for tweens or Fairest of All (Whatever After) & Upside-Down Magic series for Junior readers.

I enjoyed this book, the lessons its meant to teach and the way its written as a tie-in to the show. Hope this book continues to bring smiles to junior readers in libraries everywhere.

2020
The City of Lost Fortunes
The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Broken Strings
The Umbrella Academy Library Edition Volume 2: Dallas
The Legends of Greemulax
Intuitive Eating

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I think the adventure/fantasy storyline is interesting and it was a super fun concept. The book ends with the kids discussing mindfulness and the advice to articulate your feelings rather than bottle them all up, which could result in anger/frustration. It also tells kids that the “monster” inside of you isn’t necessarily bad and it’s not something to be scared/ashamed of. It can even be useful! You just have to be aware of your “inner monster” and not let it take over. Also encourages standing up for yourself, listening and supporting others, and the Power of One (“if you helped one person be good, you might have an impact on the people around that person”). I liked that it ended on a message of equality too:

“She knew now that strength and support went both ways. It wasn’t just a boys-supporting-girls thing. It was an every-one-supporting-one-another thing. She also knew that she had both good and bad inside her, too. And every day was a new chance to choose to do good.”

[John Mihelic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this off the shelf of a local bookstore. I had liked the series when it was on Netflix, but I didn't know that they actually made a book of it. The weird thing is that though I liked it, I'm not sure who the book is for. The book is for younger readers, but there's a lot of embedded jokes that only really make sense if you have seen the series. But the series really isn't for kids. I guess this is for adults to read to their kids if the adult saw the series but it is supposed to hold up for the kids as a standalone story. I'm not sure how successful the text is for those goals. It's a very narrow gap they're trying to fit in and I don't think it quite makes it.

[McKenna Deem · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

An adorable story told by Kimberly Cougar Schmidt herself!!!

This middle-grade fantasy ties in multiple characters and jokes from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in a kid friendly way and introduces concepts of gender equity, misogyny, and violence in ways that are approachable. I’m glad the story included that we all have that monster - the one that believes in its own superiority - we just have to fight it!

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! And I looooove the metaphors. If you love Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, this book is for you!!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty cute and very Kimmy. It has some good positive messages in it as well.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun adventure and is very Kimmy.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally with media tie in books, I judge them by 'would this make a good episode of the show or movie in the series'. And you can't do that with this book. As this isn't REALLY an Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt novel, but a look at what the book with in the show that Kimmy supposedly wrote during the end of season three and most of season four. Which while not entirely unheard of- as Star Trek: Voyager did the same thing with Captain Proton- is very odd. Since the shows that tend to be either the sci-fi or action-adventure genre (Star Trek, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc.) or the occasional mystery (Murder She Wrote, Monk).

But there are two ways to read this book. A younger reader could read it, without having seen Kimmy Schmidt (or at least I hope no 6-9 year olds have seen the show), and find a nice, fantasy story with a strong moral lesson. One that you'd think kids wouldn't need nowadays but in fact kids need it more not less.

Or if you're an 80s-90s kid like me you can read it as a biting satire of many of the young readers adventure, mystery and fantasy series we had in the dark ages. In which case, the book comes off as hilarious.

But really, the book reads like it wasn't intended to be a real book. Almost like whoever on the writing staff of the show was writing the snippets of Legends of Greemulax we saw in those episodes was having WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY too much fun writing it and decided, what hell, why not fill out the rest of the pages and actually publish the book.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

✨
I have not watched Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt since its finale a few years back, so I do not really remember the purpose of the existence of this book. I remember that Kimmy was held in a bunker with a handful of other women while constantly being told that women are weak and men are better.

Reading through this book, I could spot some similarities between the show and the book. The novel reflected the characters in the show - if the character was nice in the show, it was nice in the book and vice versa. But, the novel lacked a solid understanding of consistent plot lines and I was constantly asking myself, “who is this book for?” The weird thing was that the show is for adults. This book is supposed to be for kids, but without the background of the show, I do not know if the storyline would have been understandable.

Honestly, this book is attempting to fill a weird niche that nobody asked for.

Anyway, the book was charming and had a lot of great lessons about acceptance, kindness, and patience.

Would only recommend it if you have seen the series, otherwise, skip this one.
__________

✨
You’ll love this book if you like:
- Feel-good endings.
- Strong Female Protagonists.
- Character Development.


⭐️⭐️

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 unbiased stars.

5+ infinite stars for enjoyment and laughter!

This would be the perfect book if you watched the show and wanted more of Kimmy’s personality and humor. It was really fun to connect the characters of this book to the characters of the show and also recognize a lot of inside jokes the show has. The plot was very easy to follow (since it’s a book meant for children), and obviously you will reflect about good and evil, and what does it mean to know who your are and who you want to be.

If Kimmy COUGAR Schmidt does write another book, sign me the fudge up!

Side note: the last season was the weakest for me, yet this show is still one of my favorites of all time.

[Carlee Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's honestly a pretty good story. I just felt like it was written because a show had said it was written and not because someone had a story inside them dying to get out. You know what I mean? Like, the book went from point a to point b to point c like I was reading a power point. There was a lack of excitement and build up. The climax was lacking. It felt too said-and-done too soon. Didn't hate it tho. It was a cute story.

[Stephanie Loux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun adventure story with many great lessons. I just finished reading to my kids ages 9, 7, and 4 and it was a highlight at the end of our days to read it together. We have starting referring to anger issues as not becoming a Grabagorn 👿 and being a Rainbow Knight 🌈 by staying true to ourselves and helping others. I’d love for this to become a series!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This started off a little cheesy and on the nose, but not necessarily in a bad way. It ended up being a masterpiece. Perfection. I will read this to my future children every night.

I know they have the audiobook version with Ellie Kemper reading, but they need to do one with the rest of the characters from the show reading their parts!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a read-aloud for my homeschooled kids. This book had such a powerful message that even my children were getting the point towards the end of the book. In the beginning, they were laughing and joking, but towards the end, they were saying, "he's lying." I loved the symbolism throughout the book that let them subtly understand what was happening. They cheered in the end!

[Mychal · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I liked how the book had a lot of action. The whole time from the beginning to the end I was intertaned with surprising twists and turns. Second, I liked that the book had monsters and fairytale creatures and also some actual people. Finally, I like that it teaches you that when you use friendship and stay patient, some things good will happen.

[Sarah LeGear · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually had some good messages in it besides having some good jokes for grownups. It was a good read-aloud for me with my 9 and 7 year old. Plus, I'm a Kimmy Schmidt fan, so it was extra fun.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book if a bit weird. Disguised as a kids book, has good messages about why acceptance, kindness, consideration and patience between men and women are important overall.
I liked it. Would be a good book to read to kids for its "fantasy" bent.
A fun if curious read.

[Kat Hernandez Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can read it without watching the Netflix show (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) but it makes it more fun to know the characters. The author did an amazing job of writing how I thought kimmy Schmidt would write.

[DaHonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. I listened to it in my car with my 7 year old son and we both didn't want it to end. Greemulax kept our attention from beginning to the end. Now we're hoping for more lol.

[Johnna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what I was expecting lol. But I love Kimmy Schmidt and love the concept of the story. My only real criticism is I wish there was more detail and world-building.

[Ceren Hic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely powerful humorful full of truth and insights and a solution!!!! Love this so much

[S.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Voor de doelgroep leuk om te lezen.

[Amy Pizzuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun/cute book for kids.

[Karen Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transformate? Twitch. It got better.

[Patricia Kaniasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. It was like a post-apocalyptic story in fairytale version for kids. Not scary. Just a lot of fun.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. As a huge Kimmy Schmidt fan, I thought I would love this, but it was just okay.