Lost Legends: The Fixer Upper

Lost Legends #3

by Jen Calonita

The third book in a new middle grade series that features the adventures of Disney's most lovable roguish heroes as kids! Before he was the Arendelle Ice Master and Deliverer, he was just a fixer-upper named Kristoff… "I'm here. What do you need?" Twelve-year-old Kristoff Bjorgman is content. He loves his reindeer best friend, he loves his adoptive troll family, and he loves his new ice carving hobby. But his mother, Bulda, can't help but worry. A boy his age needs to be around other children. Other humans. And so, she decides it's time for Kristoff to attend school for the very first time. To his dismay, Kristoff hates being stuck at a desk and doesn't relate to the other kids. Even worse, Kristoff's childhood bully, Gustav, is one of his classmates and is meaner than ever. Kristoff thinks things are finally looking up when he learns about the Polar Nights festival's first ever ice harvester competition. If he wins the competition, he can show his classmates that he belongs and even win a brand new sleigh. Kristoff begins training, more excited and hopeful than ever, despite the fact that Gustav is also entering the competition and seems determined to sabotage Kristoff. When race day arrives, a storm begins to roll in. Kristoff isn't discouraged, even when Gustav immediately pulls ahead. But the weather quickly worsens and the competition is canceled—and Gustav is too far ahead to hear it. Kristoff could turn around and go home, but that's not who he is. Instead he plunges into the storm to save Gustav, whether he likes it or not. Filled with breathtaking thrills and wild antics, the Lost Legends series explores the untold origins of Disney's most infamous rogue boys.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Retellings, Childrens

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2023

About the author

Hi Goodreads!
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).

I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!

I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.

I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.

I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!

xo
Jen

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd book in the Lost Legends series, Lost Legends: Diamond in the Rough, was based on the oldest movie so far. (Aladdin, 1992.) Now the 3rd book, Lost Legends: The Fixer Upper was based on the most recent one so far. (Frozen, 2013.) Earlier this year, I read a book that I got last Christmas called All is Found: A Frozen Anthology, by Heather Knowles and Mari Mancusi. It was released in 2023, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Frozen. The same is true of The Fixer Upper. I think this was the best book in the Lost Legends series so far. I absolutely loved it!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Kristoff and Sven as he he grows up and finds his calling with ice. We get to see the Grand Pabbie and tribe. And we meet some of his schoolmates, including Gustav who isn’t his favorite person, but they work through it.
It’s a definite read again and I will be recommending this book to all my friends.

[Lost Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book, I felt so connected with Kristoff! Although it has a lot of snow and freezing weather, this was a really warm reading! I loved to know more about the Valley of the Living Rock and Oaken's family. If you love Frozen you really need to read this book!

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Angela Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.
I find it so fun to find out about characters backstories.de

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow at times, but a great overall story with well thought out character development and backstory material. Was fun getting to know Kristoff better this way.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Arendelle and narrated by Kristoff, Calonita provides a back story for Anna’s boyfriend.
Part of the story addresses bullying.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read for Frozen fans!

[Caitlin Lorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Disney lover, I really loved this book!! I didn’t expect the ending but it was so well written!! If you love Disney, you’ll love Kristoff’s back story like I did!!

[Darci Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a sweet book - a nice little dive into Kristoffs backstory to understand our favorite ice harvester a little better.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Kristoff ilysm and would protect you with my life

This book was so sweet! Really great plot and writing and subtle lessons for young readers too

[Amanda Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5. This was so adorable. I absolutely love being immersed into the Frozen world and learning more about our beloved characters. ❄️

[Lauren Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[PottWab Regional Library]

O

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cutest little story of when Kristoff was younger and how he found Sven, came to be with the trolls and a lover of all things ice. 💙

[onceuponamon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fixer Upper
🧊🧊🧊🧊🧊🧊🧊🧊🧊🧊
Rating: 🍄🍄🍄
175 in TBR List
53/25 in 2025
Format: 📱
Pages: 192
Days to read: 5
Song to go with: Lost in the Woods by Jonathan Groff

Vibes: Unlikely hero, Fairytale vibes, lore, magic, cozy vibes, Ice Queen retelling, mystery, found family, coming of age, fast paced, Disney, Disney channel vibes, fairytale retelling, adventure, world building, middle grade, legacy, fable, Happily Ever After (HEA)

Review: These are just such an easy read. And I love when our Princes get their story. This one jumped back and forth from present day being after Frozen II and prequal which was very interesting.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this little backstory for Kristoff.

[Carla E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Officially past our halfway point, I read the recently released @jencalonita’s “The Fixer Upper” This is the third novel in the Lost Legends series, which focuses on the origin stories of some of our favorite heroes and legends. These books are written in mind for middle school readers but are fun for Disney fans of all ages.

“The Fixer Upper” introduces us to a young and reserved Kristoff, recently adopted by the magical trolls of The Valley of the Living Rock. With no friends outside of his reindeer, Sven, and his troll cousins, Kristoff’s parents decide to enroll him in human school, despite his begs and pleas. Though reluctantly, Kristoff travels to Arendelle daily to attend his classes, despite being in the same class as his childhood bully from the orphanage, Gustav. Just as Kristoff is on the brink of abandoning school, an ice harvesting contest is announced at the Annual Polar Lights Festival. The prize? A state-of-the-art sleigh. Kristoff, with his innate love for ice, commits wholeheartedly to mastering the craft of harvesting, eyeing the prize. The path to victory seems easy… if Gustav doesn’t get in the way first.

—

Unlike its predecessors, TFU actually jumps between the present (post Frozen II) and the past, with adult Kristoff telling stories of his youth to the main Frozen crew. With that added component, there’s a bit of time skipping between momentous moments in his childhood. For example, we get to see him meeting Sven and running away from the orphanage, but just a brief explanation of being adopted by the trolls. I’d love to had gotten his point of view of the Trolls saving Anna! Though there is so much story to go through, I understand why it wasn’t added.

I really enjoyed the plot of the ice harvesting competition in the second half, which really added the agency that Kristoff was so desperately needing. I love how Calonita orchestrated the race and it’s outcome, with it being a perfect ending. I do wish we could have seen happier endings for some of the other characters, but that’s what made it more real.

One more Lost Legend story is in the works, with no word who or when! Based on previous releases, I expect we’ll see it in 2024!