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The Greenies #1
The Greenies
The Baby-Sitters Club meets The Breakfast Club in this fun and fresh graphic novel about a girl who reluctantly joins the Environmental Club at her new school–and finds friendship and community where she least expects it.
After her parents’ divorce, seventh grader Violet is forced to start all over.
Now the new kid, at a new school, in a new town, she must navigate unfamiliar territory. Luckily, Violet falls in with a new group of (maybe?) friends. But when they wind up in detention, they're forced to join the under-attended Environmental Club—and mischief ensues. What will become of this rag-tag group?
Fans of Raina Telgemeier will love this hilarious and heartfelt story about making friends, making mistakes, and making it up as you go along—until you end up just where you were meant to be.
After her parents’ divorce, seventh grader Violet is forced to start all over.
Now the new kid, at a new school, in a new town, she must navigate unfamiliar territory. Luckily, Violet falls in with a new group of (maybe?) friends. But when they wind up in detention, they're forced to join the under-attended Environmental Club—and mischief ensues. What will become of this rag-tag group?
Fans of Raina Telgemeier will love this hilarious and heartfelt story about making friends, making mistakes, and making it up as you go along—until you end up just where you were meant to be.
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2026
About the author
Emma Mills
12 books1,941 followersEmma Mills is the author of several novels for Young Adults.
She holds a PhD in cell biology and is known for her YouTube channel, Elmify. She is also the co-creator and co-host of the "life skills" channel How to Adult, which ended in 2016.
Mills lives in St. Louis, Missouri.
She holds a PhD in cell biology and is known for her YouTube channel, Elmify. She is also the co-creator and co-host of the "life skills" channel How to Adult, which ended in 2016.
Mills lives in St. Louis, Missouri.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 19, 2026
This was an okay graphic novel about some kids who have an enviro-club that they're forced to participate in because they got detention. A girl and her mom move to a new place after divorce and she starts a new school where her cousin goes. They get detention and have to help with recylcing and school clean up and they start ditching stuff on the elusive and hidden 4th floor. It made no sense. It all works out in the end and she makes new friends. I will let my daughter read this because aside from the kids being sneaky and weird, its wholesome enough.
May 3, 2026
4.25 ⭐️ I would not be happy if my office was below the band room
April 8, 2026
A fun and entertaining graphic novel about a group of unlikely friendships that form when a group is involuntarily thrown together for an ecology club. Perfect for fans of Telgemeier, Babysitter's Club, and the Click series!
April 2, 2026
Fans of Mills YA works will enjoy this. Same fun, quirky characters who you will quickly fall in love with like her other novels :)
Thoughtful and full of love, joy, and acceptance while also navigating grief in its many forms.
Absolutely adored. Looking forward to book two next year!
*Noting this: for some reason Goodreads is not show Mills other novels such as Foolish Hearts, not sure why but I looked it up and this is her. Weird...
Thoughtful and full of love, joy, and acceptance while also navigating grief in its many forms.
Absolutely adored. Looking forward to book two next year!
*Noting this: for some reason Goodreads is not show Mills other novels such as Foolish Hearts, not sure why but I looked it up and this is her. Weird...
July 2, 2025
The Baby-Sitters Club meets The Breakfast Club, with a dash of chaos and compost.
After her parents’ divorce, Violet is the new kid in a brand-new town, just trying to find her footing. When a group project goes sideways (as they do), she ends up in the least expected place—detention turned Environmental Club.
But what starts as a punishment becomes something pretty wonderful: unlikely friendships, hilarious hijinks, and a little bit of eco-activism along the way. 🌱
This graphic novel hits all the right notes—funny, heartfelt, and full of real middle school feelings. If you love Raina Telgemeier or Terri Libenson, The Greenies will feel like a warm, slightly muddy hug.
📗 Found family vibes
♻️ Reluctant team becomes the dream team
🌼 Big feelings, big laughs, and bigger heart
💬 Ideal for ages 9–13
This one is a keeper. I’d hand it to any tween who’s feeling a little out of place and remind them—your people might be waiting in the most unexpected club of all.
After her parents’ divorce, Violet is the new kid in a brand-new town, just trying to find her footing. When a group project goes sideways (as they do), she ends up in the least expected place—detention turned Environmental Club.
But what starts as a punishment becomes something pretty wonderful: unlikely friendships, hilarious hijinks, and a little bit of eco-activism along the way. 🌱
This graphic novel hits all the right notes—funny, heartfelt, and full of real middle school feelings. If you love Raina Telgemeier or Terri Libenson, The Greenies will feel like a warm, slightly muddy hug.
📗 Found family vibes
♻️ Reluctant team becomes the dream team
🌼 Big feelings, big laughs, and bigger heart
💬 Ideal for ages 9–13
This one is a keeper. I’d hand it to any tween who’s feeling a little out of place and remind them—your people might be waiting in the most unexpected club of all.
July 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is just something healing about reading middle-school novels in my adulthood. I can’t explain it 🤣 it just feels right. And it validates all of those awkward moments.
The Greenies is a mixture of The Baby-sitter Club x The Breakfast Club. Violet’s somewhat forced to join an environmental club instead of detention. She’s already feeling out of place because she’s the new girl at school, her parents are going through a divorce and she’s missing her friends back home. Luckily for Violet, her cousin also attends the same school. Her time at the environmental club has been an unexpected adventure but ultimately finds herself and new friends.
(The illustrations are amazing 🤩)
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance.
✨✨✨✨✨
Preorder now! Out March 3, 2026.
There is just something healing about reading middle-school novels in my adulthood. I can’t explain it 🤣 it just feels right. And it validates all of those awkward moments.
The Greenies is a mixture of The Baby-sitter Club x The Breakfast Club. Violet’s somewhat forced to join an environmental club instead of detention. She’s already feeling out of place because she’s the new girl at school, her parents are going through a divorce and she’s missing her friends back home. Luckily for Violet, her cousin also attends the same school. Her time at the environmental club has been an unexpected adventure but ultimately finds herself and new friends.
(The illustrations are amazing 🤩)
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance.
✨✨✨✨✨
Preorder now! Out March 3, 2026.
July 29, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the color of this to read and review.
Though I have read a couple graphic novels lately it has been a while before that and I wanted to check a couple out. I also have nieces and nephews I want to check out some middle grade books for.
This book has such a cute art stylez also a very cute story. I liked the family aspect as well as finding new friends. This book also has some cute environmental aspects.
I can't wait to see what comes next in Greenies and to share this book with others.
Though I have read a couple graphic novels lately it has been a while before that and I wanted to check a couple out. I also have nieces and nephews I want to check out some middle grade books for.
This book has such a cute art stylez also a very cute story. I liked the family aspect as well as finding new friends. This book also has some cute environmental aspects.
I can't wait to see what comes next in Greenies and to share this book with others.
March 13, 2026
Absolutely great in every way.
August 29, 2025
Great middle grade graphic novel. Loved the story, loved the characters, their growth, how they overcame together. I love the artwork too. My daughters are going to LOVE it when it comes out.
November 30, 2025
E ARC provided by Netgalley
In this graphic novel, Violet moves to a new town for her mother's work, two hours away from her father. She is near her aunt and somewhat odd cousin, Kris, and has to start a new school in the middle of the year. She's a bit concerned about making friends, so when she is invited to a party under the bleachers by the exuberant Walt and Owen, she goes. While the "party" is fun, it is broken up by a school administrator, and the students remaining there are given detention. It's a bit different, though; instead of serving the days consecutively, Walt, Owen, Violet, Evelyn, and Hana are required to help out Isabel twice a week with her new environmental club. Kris feels left out, and manages to get a detention as well, although she considers former friend Hana "chaotic evil". The group has to pick up paper recycling bins, but Hana talks Violet into dumping the paper on the abandoned fourth floor instead of taking it outside to the recycling. A couple of other groups do this as well, since the code to the closed off floor is fairly common knowledge. They also make posters for a neighborhood clean up and work on community garden plans. Even though her father is two hours away, and Violet is sad that her old friends aren't contacting her, she manages to fit in well in her new school. When they group accidentally punctures the vice principal's tire, the paper on the fourth floor is discovered, and Violet is concerned that she will get into big trouble. She finally confides in her mother about all of the problems she has had settling into their new home, and feels better about her situation. The students decide to continue with the environmental club, and there is a second book in the works. A recipe for zucchini muffins is included at the end of the book.
Strengths: So many graphic novels are whiny memoirs that it is a nice change of pace to see one that is about middle school students getting into normal scrapes and adventures. Violet has been taught to "fake it 'til you make it" which is something ALL middle school students need to learn. While she might be suppressing some of her feelings, she is also getting involved in groups, making friends, and not constantly on her phone wallowing in self pity, which is great. The recycling club has some good projects. My favorite part was probably the difficult relationship Violet has with her cousin, who goes out of her way to cause herself problems with her behavior, and from whom Violet wisely wants some distance!
Weaknesses: This started with Violet entering her new school to a "masked protest" that was very odd, and it is unlikely that a school would have space that's not being used that wouldn't be strictly locked down. Also, it seems odd that the detention students were forced to be part of a club. I can only imagine that parent protests if this happened in real life.
What I really think: I'll purchase this for my school library for fans of Lloyd and Nutter's Allergic and the Holms' Sunny books. Now if we could get some more graphic novels centered around sports like Shah's Wish I Was a Baller, that would be great!
In this graphic novel, Violet moves to a new town for her mother's work, two hours away from her father. She is near her aunt and somewhat odd cousin, Kris, and has to start a new school in the middle of the year. She's a bit concerned about making friends, so when she is invited to a party under the bleachers by the exuberant Walt and Owen, she goes. While the "party" is fun, it is broken up by a school administrator, and the students remaining there are given detention. It's a bit different, though; instead of serving the days consecutively, Walt, Owen, Violet, Evelyn, and Hana are required to help out Isabel twice a week with her new environmental club. Kris feels left out, and manages to get a detention as well, although she considers former friend Hana "chaotic evil". The group has to pick up paper recycling bins, but Hana talks Violet into dumping the paper on the abandoned fourth floor instead of taking it outside to the recycling. A couple of other groups do this as well, since the code to the closed off floor is fairly common knowledge. They also make posters for a neighborhood clean up and work on community garden plans. Even though her father is two hours away, and Violet is sad that her old friends aren't contacting her, she manages to fit in well in her new school. When they group accidentally punctures the vice principal's tire, the paper on the fourth floor is discovered, and Violet is concerned that she will get into big trouble. She finally confides in her mother about all of the problems she has had settling into their new home, and feels better about her situation. The students decide to continue with the environmental club, and there is a second book in the works. A recipe for zucchini muffins is included at the end of the book.
Strengths: So many graphic novels are whiny memoirs that it is a nice change of pace to see one that is about middle school students getting into normal scrapes and adventures. Violet has been taught to "fake it 'til you make it" which is something ALL middle school students need to learn. While she might be suppressing some of her feelings, she is also getting involved in groups, making friends, and not constantly on her phone wallowing in self pity, which is great. The recycling club has some good projects. My favorite part was probably the difficult relationship Violet has with her cousin, who goes out of her way to cause herself problems with her behavior, and from whom Violet wisely wants some distance!
Weaknesses: This started with Violet entering her new school to a "masked protest" that was very odd, and it is unlikely that a school would have space that's not being used that wouldn't be strictly locked down. Also, it seems odd that the detention students were forced to be part of a club. I can only imagine that parent protests if this happened in real life.
What I really think: I'll purchase this for my school library for fans of Lloyd and Nutter's Allergic and the Holms' Sunny books. Now if we could get some more graphic novels centered around sports like Shah's Wish I Was a Baller, that would be great!
July 16, 2025
The Greenies is a bright and easygoing graphic novel that blends environmental themes with the familiar territory of finding your place in middle school. The concept is engaging, and the art complements the light tone well.
What works nicely is the absence of outright antagonism — everyone Violet meets is good-natured in their own way. Even Evelyn, introduced as “chaotic evil,” turns out to be refreshingly unpredictable but ultimately supportive. That absence of traditional villains gives the book a softer emotional edge and opens space for themes like miscommunication, false assumptions, and second chances.
The storyline involving the Environmental Club has momentum, but the emotional beats (the friendship arcs — between Violet and the rest of the group) often feel rushed and underdeveloped. Outside of club meetings, we don’t get much time with these characters together, so the closeness that forms at the end feels more like narrative resolution than something earned.
That said, The Greenies is a gentle read with charm and humor, and younger readers may appreciate its accessible themes and quirky characters.
What works nicely is the absence of outright antagonism — everyone Violet meets is good-natured in their own way. Even Evelyn, introduced as “chaotic evil,” turns out to be refreshingly unpredictable but ultimately supportive. That absence of traditional villains gives the book a softer emotional edge and opens space for themes like miscommunication, false assumptions, and second chances.
The storyline involving the Environmental Club has momentum, but the emotional beats (the friendship arcs — between Violet and the rest of the group) often feel rushed and underdeveloped. Outside of club meetings, we don’t get much time with these characters together, so the closeness that forms at the end feels more like narrative resolution than something earned.
That said, The Greenies is a gentle read with charm and humor, and younger readers may appreciate its accessible themes and quirky characters.
March 13, 2026
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗦 by Emma Mills, illustrated by Sarah Nicole Kennedy, is a bright, heartfelt graphic novel about starting over and finding your people in unexpected places. When Violet transfers schools mid-year after her parents’ divorce, she decides to “fake it ’til you make it.” A little mischief later, she and her new acquaintances land in detention—and in the struggling Environmental Club. I absolutely loved the beautiful, vibrant colour illustrations. They add so much personality and warmth to the story, making each character feel expressive and relatable. That said, I did feel like the book tried to pack in a lot: adjusting to a new school, navigating friendships, processing divorced parents, and handling conflict within the friend group. At times, it felt slightly crowded. Still, it’s a cute story with a strong moral about growth, accountability, and community.
April 14, 2026
The Greenies #1 is a heartfelt and humorous middle grade graphic novel that captures the challenges of starting over and finding your place in a new environment. Emma Mills creates a story that feels both relatable and uplifting.
What makes this book stand out is Violet’s emotional journey. Her experience as the new kid dealing with family change adds depth and authenticity to the story, making it easy for readers to connect with her struggles and growth.
The Environmental Club setting is a fun and creative backdrop that brings the group together in unexpected ways. The mix of detention, teamwork, and friendship development keeps the story engaging and full of personality.
A warm, funny, and relatable read that will especially appeal to fans of middle-grade friendship stories and character-driven graphic novels.
What makes this book stand out is Violet’s emotional journey. Her experience as the new kid dealing with family change adds depth and authenticity to the story, making it easy for readers to connect with her struggles and growth.
The Environmental Club setting is a fun and creative backdrop that brings the group together in unexpected ways. The mix of detention, teamwork, and friendship development keeps the story engaging and full of personality.
A warm, funny, and relatable read that will especially appeal to fans of middle-grade friendship stories and character-driven graphic novels.
July 26, 2026
Decent middle grade graphic novel. I think there's a few too many threads going on here to focus on any of them. The main character's parents just divorced and she's moved across the state. The narrative doesn't focus on her feelings about the move, the divorce, leaving her olds friends behind, moving to a new school, or trying to make friends at her new school. Instead, the main focus is how she learns to love the environmental club she's forced to be in. I find the entire concept, that joining a club would be an alternative to a week's detention, to be pretty dubious, but ok. I think the bigger problem is that there's so much going on in the main character's life that it feels kind of silly that this club is the focus. I think maybe a less strained main character would have been a better fit.
September 1, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Pros:
-Cute artwork with unique character designs
-Cozy, found family vibes
Mehs:
-How are these kids left unattended at school so often?
-How are all these kids so nice to each other? Even the "mean girl" turned out to be nice.
-Do they know they named their group after pet treats?
The Greenies is a middle-grade graphic novel about a group of students who are assigned to help the Enviro-Club as part of their detention. It's a cute story about friendship, honesty, and learning to right your wrongs. Recommended for 6th-7th grade.
Pros:
-Cute artwork with unique character designs
-Cozy, found family vibes
Mehs:
-How are these kids left unattended at school so often?
-How are all these kids so nice to each other? Even the "mean girl" turned out to be nice.
-Do they know they named their group after pet treats?
The Greenies is a middle-grade graphic novel about a group of students who are assigned to help the Enviro-Club as part of their detention. It's a cute story about friendship, honesty, and learning to right your wrongs. Recommended for 6th-7th grade.
October 6, 2025
The title made me think this book would be about the environment, and yep it is. But it is also about family dynamics and friendship. Being a kid is never easy, especially when you have to move. This book tells how a child moves due to divorce, and has to get new friends in a new school and how an environmental group helped with that. Sometimes things just fall into place. This graphic novel also gave ideas in the story about how to help the earth. This would be the perfect book to read in April before Earth Day and to have an activity to help the earth.
I enjoyed the illustrations and the story.
I enjoyed the illustrations and the story.
April 19, 2026
New town. New school. A whole new world.
Violet is not enjoying all the NEW that has been thrust upon her. After she ends up in after-school detention, things seem like they can't get any worse. When the "detainees" are forced to join the environmental club . . . things do get much worse. But not for long . . .
This is a fun graphic novel for middle-grade readers about adapting and learning to get along. This apparently will be a series, but I think it works well as a stand-alone as it has a satisfying ending. Highly recommended for school libraries.
Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing and NetGalley for sharing.
Violet is not enjoying all the NEW that has been thrust upon her. After she ends up in after-school detention, things seem like they can't get any worse. When the "detainees" are forced to join the environmental club . . . things do get much worse. But not for long . . .
This is a fun graphic novel for middle-grade readers about adapting and learning to get along. This apparently will be a series, but I think it works well as a stand-alone as it has a satisfying ending. Highly recommended for school libraries.
Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing and NetGalley for sharing.
August 11, 2025
So much was packed into The Greenies, but it didn't feel overwhelming or incomplete. Violet moves before the school year starts, due to her parents getting a divorce. The reader joins Violet as she struggles to start over, meet new people, make new friends, process her parents' divorce, and worry her friends back home have forgotten about her.
I really enjoyed this book and think it would be a great read for kids and adults. I'm curious to see what else Emma Mills has written.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this book and think it would be a great read for kids and adults. I'm curious to see what else Emma Mills has written.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
August 16, 2025
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
4 stars = Great! Might-re-read.
This is a fun middle grade graphic novel - with terrific artwork - about a girl navigating a mid-year move due to divorce and the kids she meets through detention-turned-environmental club. Graphic novel fans who love friendship stories will eat this one up! And it's first in a series so they'll have more stories to love in the future.
4 stars = Great! Might-re-read.
This is a fun middle grade graphic novel - with terrific artwork - about a girl navigating a mid-year move due to divorce and the kids she meets through detention-turned-environmental club. Graphic novel fans who love friendship stories will eat this one up! And it's first in a series so they'll have more stories to love in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When Violet has to start mid-year at a new school, she decides to “fake it ‘til you make it.” She quickly makes some new friends, and just as weekly ends up in detention, where she’s forced to help out with the Environmental Club. Mischief ensues as Violet and friends get into, and then try to get out of, trouble.
Full of heart and mayhem, this book is a fun romp through the challenges of making new friends, navigating life changes, and making mistakes along the way. I’ll be recommending it to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale who are looking for a funny, slice-of-life story.
Full of heart and mayhem, this book is a fun romp through the challenges of making new friends, navigating life changes, and making mistakes along the way. I’ll be recommending it to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale who are looking for a funny, slice-of-life story.
March 30, 2026
So cute! This was quirky, silly, and heartwarming all at the same time. The vibe kind of reminded me of Sarah Sax's The Brinkley Yearbooks series, so big recommend for middle grade folks who liked those books! My one question is like... the vice principal mentions that Mr. Roberson is the faculty adviser for their club, but we never see him? A lot of the shenanigans the kids got into would have been avoided if they actually had that adult supervision, no? I'm just being nitpicky, it was a super fun read overall!
August 27, 2026
After her parents' divorce, Violet and her mom move back to the town her mom grew up in. Violet is sad to leave her father and her friends behind, but she is glad to know someone at her new school, her cousin Kris. She may not understand Kris, but at least she knows her. But, Violet's first day doesn't go well. She ends up with a week's detention, which lands her in the Ecology Club headed up by the very earnest and dedicated Isabel. Will this club be the key to making friends? A good read-alike for fans of Raina Telgemeier.
July 18, 2025
My son read The Greenies in a day and loved it! This graphic novel is a fun, relatable middle-grade story about friendship, new beginnings, and a quirky environmental club. Violet’s awkward but genuine voice makes it easy to connect with her journey. The humor and warmth shine through, even if some characters could use more depth. Perfect for a quick, heartwarming read with a positive message. Definitely recommend!
March 4, 2026
The Greenies is a fun and cozy graphic novel perfect for middle grades readers from 9-12 years old. Covers themes of friendship and community. This is the start of a series which so many of young readers love and gravitate towards.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
April 6, 2026
When I saw reviews claiming that this story reads like “The Baby-Sitters Club meets The Breakfast Club,” I didn’t even have a choice; I absolutely had to read it.
This is a graphic novel that is full of heart, but also full of middle school kids who make lots of mistakes while generally having good intentions. It’s charming, it’s a fast read, and the graphics and layout are well done!
This is a graphic novel that is full of heart, but also full of middle school kids who make lots of mistakes while generally having good intentions. It’s charming, it’s a fast read, and the graphics and layout are well done!
July 11, 2026
4.5 Stars - A fun middle-grade graphic novel about a girl who moves to a new state when her parents divorce and how she gets involved with a new friend group as part of an environmental club. It dealt with themes of fitting in, feeling lonely, facing consequences, and making friends without feeling heavy-handed. The illustration style was cute, and the length felt right for the story.
August 30, 2026
Swell graphic novel for ages 8-12. Contemporary story about starting a new middle school, but her cousin goes there, so she does know one person. Personal growth, making friends, learning to care, learning to apologize, missing old friends, and more. The art was good, the characters were good, diverse skin tones, drama kids, and I especially like the possible love interest. Fun and funny!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Baby-Sitters Club meets The Breakfast Club is an entirely accurate pitch for this book which focuses on friendship and features a very believable group of kids as the stumble their way into an environmental group.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a really adorable book. I enjoyed watching the characters change and grow over the course of the whole book. The art style was very cute and I enjoyed the story. I really hope that we get to see more adventures from these characters.
May 31, 2026
All for a middle grades graphic novel about finding your way in a new school. I appreciated the healthy conversations about friendship, divorce, and moving. I particularly loved that the group became an environmental club! 😉🙌🏼
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews