The Story of Gumluck the Wizard: Book One

Gumluck the Wizard #1

by Adam Rex

This is a story about magic, if you like that kind of thing.

It is also a story about a ghost with amnesia, an unpopular fairy, an ungrateful town, and a wise and helpful raven (who happens to be a pretty good storyteller).

But mostly, it is about a friendly little wizard who lives inside a big hill and really, really, really wants to be a hero.

His name is Gumluck, and he is a bumbling noodlehead.

In this tall tale about a short wizard, celebrated author Adam Rex proves once and for all that the biggest heroes often come in the smallest nightgowns.

Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Middle Grade, Magic, Fiction, Chapter Books, Juvenile

140 pages, Hardcover

Published August 15, 2023

About the author

Adam Rex grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, the middle of three children. He was neither the smart one (older brother) or the cute one (younger sister), but he was the one who could draw. He took a lot of art classes as a kid, trying to learn to draw better, and started painting when he was 11. And later in life he was drawn down to Tucson in order to hone his skills, get a BFA from the University of Arizona, and meet his physicist wife Marie (who is both the smart and cute one).

Adam is nearsighted, bad at all sports, learning to play the theremin, and usually in need of a shave. He can carry a tune, if you don't mind the tune getting dropped and stepped on occasionally. He never remembers anyone's name until he's heard it at least three times. He likes animals, spacemen, Mexican food, Ethiopian food, monsters, puppets, comic books, 19th century art, skeletons, bugs, and robots.

Garlic and crosses are useless against Adam. Sunlight has been shown to be at least moderately effective. A silver bullet does the trick. Pretty much any bullet, really.

Reviews

[Jesse (JesseTheReader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a blast and filled with so much whimsy, adventure, and heart. I loved the messages of self acceptance and discovering the things that make you special. We have such a fun, unlikely trio, and the banter between the three was top tier. I’m excited to read book two and I’m also excited to recommend this to all my kiddo patrons at the library.

[HaileyAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A person should get to tell you who they are," he said. "And if they are living that life...then they need a family of friends who hear them and say, 'Yes, that's you all right. We Believe you.'"

Not only was this adorable, but this line??? Tears.

[Janssen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun quick read with my younger girls and a perfect not-scary Halloween chapter book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the cutest little chapter book to ever exist. Silly, sweet, laugh-out-loud funny, and wise, this book is perfect for all emerging readers. I would read a million stories about Gumluck’s adventures.

[Madilyn Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my students and they absolutely loved the book! It was very funny and adventurous!

and yes I am logging chapter books I read aloud to kids lol

[Lorissa Laitinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read with my boy will soothing him to sleep in the carrier

[Lindsey Kult · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and very Adam Rex :)

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread March 2025: Buddy read with the kids! They love it as much as I do. We can’t wait to meet Adam Rex for Young Authors this year!

[Ann Haefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam Rex has a winner with this 1st book in a series about a wizard who really wants to be a town hero. At about 120 pages with lots of white space and black and white illustrations, it’s a great chapter book for young readers (or older reluctant readers) and would make a perfect family read aloud. Humor moves the story along by way of Crow, who is just the friend that bumbling wizard Gumlock needs, even if he doesn’t know it. Learning to be the person you really want to be is a great message in this very wise book for young readers.

[garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book because I was SO charmed by the dedication and for no other reason. Without a doubt the best book I've read so far this year. Brought real life tears to my eyes. I can think of at least 3 people I will be buying copies for. Rex's writing is so charming. Highly recommend this for the child in all of us.

[Victoria Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this slim little chapter book, Gumluck, the sweet and bumbly wizard, learns self awareness and, thank god, self worth, thanks to his salty raven friend, Helvetica. Has Helvetica escaped from the pages of One Tree Circus? Possibly. Do you like slanted fairy tales? Good, go for it.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This made someone’s “best of 2023” list and ohmygosh this is the most adorable Adam Rex I have ever read. It’s a sweetly funny tale of a wizard who is pathologically searching for love and approval, narrated by a cranky raven.

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC of this!

It was funny and adorable and my 7 year old really enjoyed it! We listened along with the audio as well and it was well done. If you need a cute story with an animal narrator this is perfect for that!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute and with a pretty decent message about truth for those looking for it. You end up really liking Gumluck and feel sorry for him.

A quick easy read with nothing in appropriate for kids.

I also find Adam Rex funny.

This was worth an hour and half of reading.

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A person should get to tell you who they are,” he said. “And if they are living that life … then they need a family of friends who hear them tell it and say, Yes, that’s you, all right. We believe you.”

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

charming, and a rather heartening point to it about identity and self-worth.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A person should get to tell you who they are...And if they are living that life...then they need a family of friends who hear them tell it and say, Yes, that's you all right. We believe you."

[Emmanuella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gumluck is a cool wizard! A great read with many SEL topics.

[Erin Kowal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Adam Rex. Picked up with Gus in mind, but I think Haylie would like it best.

[Andrea Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute with fun illustrations and I would love to see if I enjoy another book of Gumluck and his Raven.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice short story for kids, with enough humour for adults to also find some interest while reading to children.

[erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick fun read aloud to the kiddos.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books that made me lovingly gasp "oh!" in the middle of the office

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this as a read aloud to my 6 and 4 year olds. Didn’t love it and neither did they. Hard to follow in my opinion because the narrator is the raven not the wizard. Also felt like morality taught was questionable because it didnt not enforce that telling the truth is always best.

[Eliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Story of Gumluck the Wizard
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.42/10 overall

Characters - 7

Atmosphere - 7

Writing - 6

Plot - 6

Intrigue - 7

Logic - 6

Enjoyment - 6

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whimsical, funny, and a good message about being yourself.

[Kyle Wortley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids love this book and so did I. It was such a hauntingly beautiful and hysterically adorable story. Told from the perspective of a bird who befriends the haphazard wizard. This story tells story of appreciation, friendship, and how good comes to those who deserve it.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this with my 5 year old. He loved it, I thought the story was a bit weak, as an adult, but I'm not the target audience. I'd read another in the series with him if it keeps going.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, illustrated chapter book for elementary grade readers. It would make a good read-together for the family.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh… how this quirky, charming little story stole my heart.


"Forgive my friend" said Gumluck. "He is tired out from his long, exciting life.

He scratched up his face again, and this time I could see he really was thinking.
"A person should get to tell you who they are," he said. "And if they are living that life... then they need a family of friends who hear them tell it and say, Yes, that's you, all right. We believe you.”