The Green Kingdom

New York Times Bestseller

Illustrated by Melissa Castrillon
Best Seller
Hardcover
$16.99 US
5.38"W x 8.13"H x 0.86"D  
On sale Apr 01, 2025 | 224 Pages | 9780593959305
Grades 3-7

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 2025

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“Enchanting, joyful, full of light and warmth, and glittering with real-world magic.” – Sophie Anderson

From the New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke, known for the INKHEART series, comes a new adventure book featuring foil edges and a metallic-effect cover.

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 book:

- Solving riddles
- Mystery
- New friendships
Cornelia Funke is the New York Times bestselling author of many magical novels for children, including The Thief Lord, Dragon Rider, and Inkheart. She is also the writer of the charming chapter books Emma and the Blue Genie, The Pirate Pig, and Ruffleclaw. Once named one of the 100 most influential people by Time magazine, Cornelia was born in Germany and lives with her family in California. Visit corneliafunke.com to find out more. View titles by Cornelia Funke
"Old riddles provide a modern girl with a summer adventure....The broad range of featured plants includes many that are likely to be familiar to readers. Co-authors Hartung, who has botanical expertise, and Funke, whose original German text was translated by Anna Schmitt Funke, add magic to the mundane, collaborating to create a realistic story that nevertheless feels wonderfully fantastical. Castrillón’s delicate illustrations have an old-fashioned feel and provide marvelous atmosphere as well as effectively highlighting the various plant species." - Kirkus Reviews

"Hartung’s botanical expertise matches Funke’s narrative prowess, resulting in epistolary language that is natural and playful, as are the lush illustrations invitingly placed throughout...A solid purchase and easy recommendation for those who enjoy place-based mysteries with a twist." - Booklist
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About

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 2025

----

“Enchanting, joyful, full of light and warmth, and glittering with real-world magic.” – Sophie Anderson

From the New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke, known for the INKHEART series, comes a new adventure book featuring foil edges and a metallic-effect cover.

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 book:

- Solving riddles
- Mystery
- New friendships

Author

Cornelia Funke is the New York Times bestselling author of many magical novels for children, including The Thief Lord, Dragon Rider, and Inkheart. She is also the writer of the charming chapter books Emma and the Blue Genie, The Pirate Pig, and Ruffleclaw. Once named one of the 100 most influential people by Time magazine, Cornelia was born in Germany and lives with her family in California. Visit corneliafunke.com to find out more. View titles by Cornelia Funke

Praise

"Old riddles provide a modern girl with a summer adventure....The broad range of featured plants includes many that are likely to be familiar to readers. Co-authors Hartung, who has botanical expertise, and Funke, whose original German text was translated by Anna Schmitt Funke, add magic to the mundane, collaborating to create a realistic story that nevertheless feels wonderfully fantastical. Castrillón’s delicate illustrations have an old-fashioned feel and provide marvelous atmosphere as well as effectively highlighting the various plant species." - Kirkus Reviews

"Hartung’s botanical expertise matches Funke’s narrative prowess, resulting in epistolary language that is natural and playful, as are the lush illustrations invitingly placed throughout...A solid purchase and easy recommendation for those who enjoy place-based mysteries with a twist." - Booklist

Photos

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additional book photo
additional book photo

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