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The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science #3
The Jungle of Carabanana
From Saturday Night Live legend Kate McKinnon comes the highly anticipated third book in her #1 New York Times bestselling series about mad science, three peculiar sisters, and the mysterious Millicent Quibb!
The Porch sisters are going on a trip– this time, to the beautiful almost-French city of ParisToo.
Between baguettes, berets, and one very big bug– what could go wrong?
Everything, of course. You see, there’s just one problem with it’s where the evil KRA is planning to execute their most dastardly plan yet!
It’s up to Gertrude, Eugenia, Dee-Dee, and their dear mentor Millicent Quibb, to stop those nefarious mad scientists from taking over the world. Though coming up with a plan is easier said than done when danger– like a tree that throws coconuts, a suspicious pile of sausage, or a glaring aunt– lurks around every corner.
If Millicent Quibb and the sisters Porch are going to defeat the KRA once and for all, they’ll need to uncover long buried secrets (including some that might just change everything…) and tap into the world of mad science like they never have before.
At any and all costs, the KRA MUST! BE! STOPPED!
Don’t miss books 1 and 2!: The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science Secrets of the Purple Pearl
The Porch sisters are going on a trip– this time, to the beautiful almost-French city of ParisToo.
Between baguettes, berets, and one very big bug– what could go wrong?
Everything, of course. You see, there’s just one problem with it’s where the evil KRA is planning to execute their most dastardly plan yet!
It’s up to Gertrude, Eugenia, Dee-Dee, and their dear mentor Millicent Quibb, to stop those nefarious mad scientists from taking over the world. Though coming up with a plan is easier said than done when danger– like a tree that throws coconuts, a suspicious pile of sausage, or a glaring aunt– lurks around every corner.
If Millicent Quibb and the sisters Porch are going to defeat the KRA once and for all, they’ll need to uncover long buried secrets (including some that might just change everything…) and tap into the world of mad science like they never have before.
At any and all costs, the KRA MUST! BE! STOPPED!
Don’t miss books 1 and 2!: The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science Secrets of the Purple Pearl
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2026
About the author
Kate McKinnon
6 books225 followersKate McKinnon Berthold is an American actress and comedian. She was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 2012 to 2022, where she became known for her character work and celebrity impressions.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 30, 2026
I am devastated to report that I have officially graduated from the Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science, and o now I have finished. And I object. Kate, I know you said this is the last one. I heard you. I respect your artistic choices. But also…counterpoint: more. I LOVE THESE BOOKS.
Back in October 2024, I went to Kate McKinnon’s debut book event, got an autographed ARC of the first Millicent Quibb, listened to Kate narrate the audiobook because obviously I was NOT going to sully my signed copy with something as reckless as…reading it…and promptly fell completely in love. I came back for book two a year later. And now, another year later, I’ve finished the trilogy, and somehow book three was my favorite of them all.
Kate McKinnon’s brain is one of my favorite places to visit.
These books are absolutely unhinged. They are clever and gross and bizarre and wildly imaginative and packed with jokes that made me stop and think, How does a human person even COME UP WITH THIS? There are inventions. There are absurdities. There are catastrophes. There are sentences that feel like they were engineered in a laboratory specifically to make me snort.
But underneath all that glorious nonsense is so much heart.
That may be the thing I love most about this series. Kate never treats ridiculousness and depth as opposites. These books can be completely bonkers one second and genuinely tender the next. They celebrate the strange kids. The curious kids. The kids who don't quite fit where everyone tells them they're supposed to fit. They are about friendship and bravery and belonging and finding the people who look at your particular brand of weird and say, essentially, Excellent. We need more of that.
And GOOD GRIEF, they are funny.
I said after the first book that Kate is “an author through and through,” and three books later I believe that even more. Yes, I adore her as a comedian. Yes, I could listen to her narrate basically anything. Yes, getting to hear her talk about creating this world before I ever entered it made the whole experience extra special for me.
But Millicent Quibb made me love Kate McKinnon the writer.
There is a sort of Lemony Snicket brilliance here, that wonderfully intelligent, mischievous children’s literature that never talks down to its reader, but dare I say it? These made me laugh even more. They are strange and sharp and sophisticated and completely committed to the bit at ALL TIMES. 😂
And this final installment??? My favorite. Easily.
What an absolutely joyful, bananas, brilliant trilogy. I adored every ounce of it.
Back in October 2024, I went to Kate McKinnon’s debut book event, got an autographed ARC of the first Millicent Quibb, listened to Kate narrate the audiobook because obviously I was NOT going to sully my signed copy with something as reckless as…reading it…and promptly fell completely in love. I came back for book two a year later. And now, another year later, I’ve finished the trilogy, and somehow book three was my favorite of them all.
Kate McKinnon’s brain is one of my favorite places to visit.
These books are absolutely unhinged. They are clever and gross and bizarre and wildly imaginative and packed with jokes that made me stop and think, How does a human person even COME UP WITH THIS? There are inventions. There are absurdities. There are catastrophes. There are sentences that feel like they were engineered in a laboratory specifically to make me snort.
But underneath all that glorious nonsense is so much heart.
That may be the thing I love most about this series. Kate never treats ridiculousness and depth as opposites. These books can be completely bonkers one second and genuinely tender the next. They celebrate the strange kids. The curious kids. The kids who don't quite fit where everyone tells them they're supposed to fit. They are about friendship and bravery and belonging and finding the people who look at your particular brand of weird and say, essentially, Excellent. We need more of that.
And GOOD GRIEF, they are funny.
I said after the first book that Kate is “an author through and through,” and three books later I believe that even more. Yes, I adore her as a comedian. Yes, I could listen to her narrate basically anything. Yes, getting to hear her talk about creating this world before I ever entered it made the whole experience extra special for me.
But Millicent Quibb made me love Kate McKinnon the writer.
There is a sort of Lemony Snicket brilliance here, that wonderfully intelligent, mischievous children’s literature that never talks down to its reader, but dare I say it? These made me laugh even more. They are strange and sharp and sophisticated and completely committed to the bit at ALL TIMES. 😂
And this final installment??? My favorite. Easily.
What an absolutely joyful, bananas, brilliant trilogy. I adored every ounce of it.
October 5, 2026
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
I read this book without having read the first two but still found it to be a completely amusing and fun read. The author offers plenty of backstory to help understand who everyone was and what brought them to the events of this book without completely retelling the previous books. I loved all the play-on-words and puns (I did wonder if younger readers would catch/understand all of them). Some parts were a little over-the-top silly for me as an adult reader, but I am sure the intended audience will find them to be perfect. I liked that this book (and I am sure complete series) gives younger readers the chance to read something that is very different from other books they have read and show them a different kind of sense of humor. The story moves along at a good pace and I enjoyed each of the characters. I especially liked that each of the Porches was their own person with their own strengths. Each of them brought something to the adventure and to the book as a whole. This is a perfect addition to any school and/or classroom library that caters to middle grade readers.
I read this book without having read the first two but still found it to be a completely amusing and fun read. The author offers plenty of backstory to help understand who everyone was and what brought them to the events of this book without completely retelling the previous books. I loved all the play-on-words and puns (I did wonder if younger readers would catch/understand all of them). Some parts were a little over-the-top silly for me as an adult reader, but I am sure the intended audience will find them to be perfect. I liked that this book (and I am sure complete series) gives younger readers the chance to read something that is very different from other books they have read and show them a different kind of sense of humor. The story moves along at a good pace and I enjoyed each of the characters. I especially liked that each of the Porches was their own person with their own strengths. Each of them brought something to the adventure and to the book as a whole. This is a perfect addition to any school and/or classroom library that caters to middle grade readers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"Immortality shall be ours when the red-rimmed clock strikes the blessed hour of thirteen."
Thank you, Little Brown and Alvina Ling Books for my early copy of THE JUNGLE OF CARABANANA, the final adventure in the MILLICENT QUIBB trilogy by Kate McKinnon 😭🥹
From book one, this series immediately reminded me of A Series of Unfortunate Events, and I can still attest to that - I saw someone mention this series is if the Baudelaires ended up under the tutelage of Ms. Frizzle and now I can't unsee it 😂
This story was fun, quirky, emotional, and such a beautiful sendoff for the Porch sisters. This book features some very cute illustrations (Hamstergram!! 😍) that add so much to the story and gives a visual for young readers (& me lol) who are trying to picture some of the concoctions coming out of McKinnon's brain and onto the page (this one features a whole lotta critters!)
If you enjoy middle grade reads, or have a kid to pass these along to, I coulnd't recommend them more! The audiobooks are also fantastic (narrated by McKinnon!) and would make for a lovely group listen.
I WILL MISS THE PUPEELS. 😭
Thank you, Little Brown and Alvina Ling Books for my early copy of THE JUNGLE OF CARABANANA, the final adventure in the MILLICENT QUIBB trilogy by Kate McKinnon 😭🥹
From book one, this series immediately reminded me of A Series of Unfortunate Events, and I can still attest to that - I saw someone mention this series is if the Baudelaires ended up under the tutelage of Ms. Frizzle and now I can't unsee it 😂
This story was fun, quirky, emotional, and such a beautiful sendoff for the Porch sisters. This book features some very cute illustrations (Hamstergram!! 😍) that add so much to the story and gives a visual for young readers (& me lol) who are trying to picture some of the concoctions coming out of McKinnon's brain and onto the page (this one features a whole lotta critters!)
If you enjoy middle grade reads, or have a kid to pass these along to, I coulnd't recommend them more! The audiobooks are also fantastic (narrated by McKinnon!) and would make for a lovely group listen.
I WILL MISS THE PUPEELS. 😭
October 3, 2026
These are very fun books and especially fun in the audio version
October 3, 2026
Really cute end to the trilogy. Excellently narrated. Kate, I’ll read whatever you write.
June 19, 2026
Thanks for the DRC, Hachette!! Another delightful, whimsical, hilarious read from the incomparable Kate McKinnon. I have to remember to check out the audiobooks, but I could hear her voice in my head as I was reading!!
Gertrude, Dee-Dee, and Eugenia take a field trip to ParisToo (I cackled when it was revealed to be in upstate NY hah) which may hold the secrets of their biological parents and their pasta. The KRA is hot on their heels, searching for a way to revive their leader, Talon Shark-tooth, and the key is in the jungle of Carabanana! All of the field trip activities with the Lavinias seem to be coinciding with the Porches’ and Millicent Quibb’s investigation and they suspect a mole (the [redacted] reveal was kind of amazing actually!).
The Porches find out secrets of their past in the Jungle of Carabanana, and Gertrude’s story in particular was simultaneously so heartbreaking and heartwarming. Poor girlie just wants to belong 😭 I absolutely called the twist with her biological mother, and I feel so smug about it lol
The end of the book with the sisters going to live with Millicent felt very “Ms. Honey and Matilda,” and I loved it. And HOORAY we get more Lavinia-Steve content!!!
Fave parts below:
✨ “Pizzafruit. Picked them myself." She handed each of her pupils a piece of fruit. The fruits were shaped like mangoes but had skins that looked suspiciously like bread.
Lavinia-Steve sniffed the offering.
"Pizzafruit, you said?"
"Of course," Millicent said. "Split them open and enjoy!"
The children pulled their Pizzafruits apart and saw that within their bread-like skins, the flesh of the fruits looked suspiciously like a mixture of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
"This.is a fruit?" Eugenia said.
"That you picked? From a tree?"
"UGH. I can't fool any of you!" Millicent sighed. "You caught me. These are calzones that I bought earlier. I wanted you to think they were more interesting than they actually are."
Even in the depths of her despair, Gertrude couldn't help but laugh at Millicent Quibb, who, despite her dramatics and her occasional bouts of cowardice and confusion, was actually a very funny person who Gertrude did enjoy very much-so much so that she almost forgot for one second about the diary of Majestina DeWeen, which was still clutched under her arm.” (Chapter 11)
MILLICENT IS SO FUNNY AND DRAMATIC I LOVE HER!!!
✨ “Hey, Professor Q?" Dee-Dee said.
"When you sent us the glowing stones after we left the Purple Pearl...how did you know they would glow? I mean, how did you know we were Apocryphs?"
"Ahhh, that is a tale for another time," Millicent said. "And that time is now. I shall now tell the tale of..."The Whispers at Table 22!
"The year was 10,000 BC."
"Right away, I can tell this is going to be too long," said Eugenia.
“Fine,” Millicent said. “I’ll jump ahead. The year was 1900.”
LOLOLOLOLOL EUGENIA she’s like get to the point for the love of god!!!
✨”Gertrude beheld the gruesome scene:
Her cousins were baked into a spider web; her adoptive aunt was nowhere to be found; her Grantie and her biological aunt were speeding toward her in their Wagonfly, ready to drop her into the giant chalice; worst of all, her beloved sisters were trapped in the belly of the beast. There was only one thing to do: dismantle the chalice and rescue Dee-Dee and Eugenia…
"But...I'm afraid."
"It takes much bravery, to be different," said Millicent. "But really, if no one dared to do it, who would save the day?"
Gertrude smiled wanly as she looked up at the imposing chalice. She saw Lavinia-Steve frozen in its walls. She heard Eugenia and Dee-Dee crying out from the inside.
"I don't know how to heal them!" said Gertrude.
"It will become clear," said Millicent.
Gertrude took a deep breath.
She thought of the words of her mother, Maj DeWeen, the REAL Maj DeWeen. "My dear Gertrude...whose goodness can heal the world.” (Chapter 17)
Gertrude, Dee-Dee, and Eugenia take a field trip to ParisToo (I cackled when it was revealed to be in upstate NY hah) which may hold the secrets of their biological parents and their pasta. The KRA is hot on their heels, searching for a way to revive their leader, Talon Shark-tooth, and the key is in the jungle of Carabanana! All of the field trip activities with the Lavinias seem to be coinciding with the Porches’ and Millicent Quibb’s investigation and they suspect a mole (the [redacted] reveal was kind of amazing actually!).
The Porches find out secrets of their past in the Jungle of Carabanana, and Gertrude’s story in particular was simultaneously so heartbreaking and heartwarming. Poor girlie just wants to belong 😭 I absolutely called the twist with her biological mother, and I feel so smug about it lol
The end of the book with the sisters going to live with Millicent felt very “Ms. Honey and Matilda,” and I loved it. And HOORAY we get more Lavinia-Steve content!!!
Fave parts below:
✨ “Pizzafruit. Picked them myself." She handed each of her pupils a piece of fruit. The fruits were shaped like mangoes but had skins that looked suspiciously like bread.
Lavinia-Steve sniffed the offering.
"Pizzafruit, you said?"
"Of course," Millicent said. "Split them open and enjoy!"
The children pulled their Pizzafruits apart and saw that within their bread-like skins, the flesh of the fruits looked suspiciously like a mixture of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
"This.is a fruit?" Eugenia said.
"That you picked? From a tree?"
"UGH. I can't fool any of you!" Millicent sighed. "You caught me. These are calzones that I bought earlier. I wanted you to think they were more interesting than they actually are."
Even in the depths of her despair, Gertrude couldn't help but laugh at Millicent Quibb, who, despite her dramatics and her occasional bouts of cowardice and confusion, was actually a very funny person who Gertrude did enjoy very much-so much so that she almost forgot for one second about the diary of Majestina DeWeen, which was still clutched under her arm.” (Chapter 11)
MILLICENT IS SO FUNNY AND DRAMATIC I LOVE HER!!!
✨ “Hey, Professor Q?" Dee-Dee said.
"When you sent us the glowing stones after we left the Purple Pearl...how did you know they would glow? I mean, how did you know we were Apocryphs?"
"Ahhh, that is a tale for another time," Millicent said. "And that time is now. I shall now tell the tale of..."The Whispers at Table 22!
"The year was 10,000 BC."
"Right away, I can tell this is going to be too long," said Eugenia.
“Fine,” Millicent said. “I’ll jump ahead. The year was 1900.”
LOLOLOLOLOL EUGENIA she’s like get to the point for the love of god!!!
✨”Gertrude beheld the gruesome scene:
Her cousins were baked into a spider web; her adoptive aunt was nowhere to be found; her Grantie and her biological aunt were speeding toward her in their Wagonfly, ready to drop her into the giant chalice; worst of all, her beloved sisters were trapped in the belly of the beast. There was only one thing to do: dismantle the chalice and rescue Dee-Dee and Eugenia…
"But...I'm afraid."
"It takes much bravery, to be different," said Millicent. "But really, if no one dared to do it, who would save the day?"
Gertrude smiled wanly as she looked up at the imposing chalice. She saw Lavinia-Steve frozen in its walls. She heard Eugenia and Dee-Dee crying out from the inside.
"I don't know how to heal them!" said Gertrude.
"It will become clear," said Millicent.
Gertrude took a deep breath.
She thought of the words of her mother, Maj DeWeen, the REAL Maj DeWeen. "My dear Gertrude...whose goodness can heal the world.” (Chapter 17)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Very rare is a story so vibrant, eerie, hopeful, and suspenseful all rolled into one. And while being hilarious to boot. I have thoroughly enjoyed the antics of the Porch sisters through this trilogy. For anyone who has ever wondered what would happen if the Baudelaire siblings met Ms. Frizzle. I also really appreciate how it celebrates girls in science without being to preachy or boring as some books end up being.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Such a great conclusion to this series. I look forward to more books by Kate McKinnon.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
AHHHH!!! D: :D Here's "The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science: The Jungle of Carabanana." Written by Kate McKinnon...sort of. ;) This Millicent Quibb book is technically by G. Edwina Candlestick (and "as told by" by Kate).
["The Porch sisters are going on a trip– this time, to the beautiful almost-French city of ParisToo.
Between baguettes, berets, and one very big bug– what could go wrong?
Everything, of course. You see, there’s just one problem with it’s where the evil KRA is planning to execute their most dastardly plan yet!
It’s up to Gertrude, Eugenia, Dee-Dee, and their dear mentor Millicent Quibb, to stop those nefarious mad scientists from taking over the world. Though coming up with a plan is easier said than done when danger– like a tree that throws coconuts, a suspicious pile of sausage, or a glaring aunt– lurks around every corner.
If Millicent Quibb and the sisters Porch are going to defeat the KRA once and for all, they’ll need to uncover long buried secrets (including some that might just change everything…) and tap into the world of mad science like they never have before.
At any and all costs, the KRA MUST! BE! STOPPED!"]
YES! YESSS! I'm obsessed with these books. They're fabulous and funny. They're silly and serious with all the right amount of (mad) science. All of the made-up words and general weirdness and sisterhood. It's all a mesh-mash of odd perfection. Not to mention the sheer amount of times one literally lols.
I still want more Lavinia-Steve…
#themillicentquibbschoolofetiquetteforyoungladiesofmadscience #secretsofthepurplepearl #thejungleofcarabanana #gedwinagandlestick #katemckinnon #childrensbooks #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
["The Porch sisters are going on a trip– this time, to the beautiful almost-French city of ParisToo.
Between baguettes, berets, and one very big bug– what could go wrong?
Everything, of course. You see, there’s just one problem with it’s where the evil KRA is planning to execute their most dastardly plan yet!
It’s up to Gertrude, Eugenia, Dee-Dee, and their dear mentor Millicent Quibb, to stop those nefarious mad scientists from taking over the world. Though coming up with a plan is easier said than done when danger– like a tree that throws coconuts, a suspicious pile of sausage, or a glaring aunt– lurks around every corner.
If Millicent Quibb and the sisters Porch are going to defeat the KRA once and for all, they’ll need to uncover long buried secrets (including some that might just change everything…) and tap into the world of mad science like they never have before.
At any and all costs, the KRA MUST! BE! STOPPED!"]
YES! YESSS! I'm obsessed with these books. They're fabulous and funny. They're silly and serious with all the right amount of (mad) science. All of the made-up words and general weirdness and sisterhood. It's all a mesh-mash of odd perfection. Not to mention the sheer amount of times one literally lols.
I still want more Lavinia-Steve…
#themillicentquibbschoolofetiquetteforyoungladiesofmadscience #secretsofthepurplepearl #thejungleofcarabanana #gedwinagandlestick #katemckinnon #childrensbooks #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Once again, Kate McKinnon has created a hilarious romp through an almost recognizable world - you know, minus the mad scientists, weird creatures, mysterious professor Millicent Quibb, an evil group of not-so-masterful-masterminds, and some awkward family relationships. McKinnon's third book picks up where the second ended, with sisters Gertrude, Eugenie and Dee-Dee just trying to get some answers about who they might actually be all while trying to foil any dastardly plans that the KRA might have. Along the way they have to venture into the jungles of Carabanana (and getting there is an adventure themselves), deal with a giant pile of sausage, explore the city of Paris-Too, attend the opera, and deal with Aunt Desdemona who JUST WANTS TO FIT IN SOCIALLY. A number of wild turns later, we have a bit of a resolution and a bunch more questions to answer.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy utterly ridiculous possibilities that somehow just come together and work.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy utterly ridiculous possibilities that somehow just come together and work.
October 1, 2026
TW: spiders
This was just as fun as the first two books! I love these character and the writing so much! As always, this is the most unserious series I’ve ever read, and I love every second of it. But there were a lot of really good conversations about belonging that I absolutely loved seeing! We learn a lot more about our main three sisters in this installment, which I loved.
This has become a comfort series for me. I will put these audiobooks on when I’m in a slump or if I need a comforting read in between some harder books. I will come back to this series a lot, I can tell.
This was just as fun as the first two books! I love these character and the writing so much! As always, this is the most unserious series I’ve ever read, and I love every second of it. But there were a lot of really good conversations about belonging that I absolutely loved seeing! We learn a lot more about our main three sisters in this installment, which I loved.
This has become a comfort series for me. I will put these audiobooks on when I’m in a slump or if I need a comforting read in between some harder books. I will come back to this series a lot, I can tell.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews