The Gumazing Gum Girl! (sometimes referred to simply as Gum Girl!) is an American children's superhero chapter book series by Rhode Montijo and co-authored by Luke Reynolds. It came out on August 20, 2013. The series is inspired by retro-styled superhero comic books and low-budget monster films.
Premise The series revolved around Gabby Gomez, a Hispanic gum-obsessed elementary school girl who becomes a sticky, stretchy superhero creature, Gum Girl, after accidentally electrocuting herself by blowing a bubble that was way too big. As Gum Girl, Gabby risks her life to fight criminals and save the day with her friends Ravi, Bubble Boy, Ninja-Rina, Robo-Chef and Brainstormer.
Characters Gabriella "Gabby" Gomez / Gum Girl - A young girl who loves to chew gum, ignoring the warnings and restrictions of her parents and teachers, and accidentally transforms herself into the sticky, stretchy superhero, Gum Girl. She usually wears a pink dress, a pink bow and black Mary Janes. As Gum Girl, her entire body is made up of chewing gum which gives her extreme “stretchability.” Rico Gomez / Bubble Boy - Gabby's brother. He is the fan of Gum Girl and Ninja-Rina. He has ability to blow soap bubbles. Natalie Gooch / Brainstormer - A large tomboy, who bullies Gabby, then becomes Gabby's friend. She was a secondary protagonist of the series. She can also be a member of The Cocodrilos. She is shown as a wrestler and a researcher. Ninja-Rina - A third protagonist in the series. She is a masked ballerina with mad ninja skills. She knows jujitsu, basket-weaving, and ceramics. She is described as "the quick and graceful as ever." Robo-Chef - An arrogant pastry chef and inventor who hates gum. He serves as an anti-hero of the series. He pilots a gigantic one-eyed chef-shaped robot with an eggbeater for his left arm which squirts out peanut cooking oil. Mrs. Gomez - Gabby's mother. She restricts Gabby from chewing gum. Dr. Gomez - Gabby's father. He is a dentist of his own practice, Gomez Dental. Ms. Smoot - Gabby's teacher in Fillmore Elementary School. Jeffery Hansen / Hamster Hansen - Gabby's former substitute teacher in Fillmore Elementary School. When Mr. Chubby Cheeks bites him after he gets into the experimental green substance, Mr. Hansen becomes crazy by eating and drinking a lot, and he then transforms into a giant hamster monster. After he drank an antidote, he turns back into a human. Ravi Rodriguez - A young boy who became a news reporter. Raul Gomez / Sol Azteca - Gabby's uncle, famous luchador, and archaeologist. The Everhander / The Underhander - Sol Azteca's old partner and rival. As the Underhander, he threatens to steal the Jade Jaguar. Ninja-Rina's mother Police Chief Lily Yee Miguel, Alma, Lucas, and Litza/Kid Jaguar, Lightning Lobo, Narwhal Nina, and Pink Puma (also known as The Jaguares) - Sol Azteca's students. The Cocodrilos - The Everhander's students. The Mayor The Citizens Mr. Chubby Cheeks - Mr. Hansen's pet hamster. Ms. Jones - The librarian of Fillmore School. Principal Eskenas - The principal of Fillmore School. The Escaped Monkeys - The gag characters in the series. There are three monkeys that hold rubber spatulas and being escaped from the zoo after Gum Girl defeats Robo-Chef, starting in "Gum Luck".
Reception The book series was published to immediate critical mixed-to-acclaim. Some reviewers praised the book series as an exciting way to learn to read in English and in Spanish, particularly compared to the primers that it supplanted. Kirkus Reviews noted the book series' heavy use of humor and sequences. Kirkus wrote, "Perfectly paced and bursting with laughs....". BCCB wrote, "...a welcome addition to the ranks of early-elementary superkids."
Books + The Gumazing Gum Girl! by Rhode Montijo No. Title Date ISBN
Book Packs The Gumazing Gum Girl Pack! (2019) Books Including Chews Your Destiny Gum Luck Popped Star
Animated series adaptation On May 27, 2021, voice actress Nancy Cartwright revealed that DreamWorks Animation Television and her production company CRE84U were developing an animated series adapted from the book series.
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