crey18's review
3.0
This was a cute read. The characters are endearing, the plot is straightforward, yet creative, and the whole story leaves the reader with a smile on their face.
spiffysarahruby's review
4.0
Okay, this was a good book to end 2016 and begin 2017 with. It was cute and a quick read (for me).
I liked Ellie a lot, especially how she handles her friendships throughout the book. Some fade while others develop. It's a good example to illustrate for kids, just because your friends change as you get older, doesn't mean there aren't other friends out there to be made.
And Grandpa Melvin... I'm a HUGE fan of the show "Rick & Morty" (which is totally not a kid-friendly show), and every-single-time the young Melvin had a speaking part in the book, in my head, all I could hear was Rick. Heck, there was one episode where he became a teenager again too. I was surprised that Melvin didn't seek a way to age again, but glad he realized that Ellie was right about the potential consequences of publishing his serum.
I liked Ellie a lot, especially how she handles her friendships throughout the book. Some fade while others develop. It's a good example to illustrate for kids, just because your friends change as you get older, doesn't mean there aren't other friends out there to be made.
And Grandpa Melvin... I'm a HUGE fan of the show "Rick & Morty" (which is totally not a kid-friendly show), and every-single-time the young Melvin had a speaking part in the book, in my head, all I could hear was Rick. Heck, there was one episode where he became a teenager again too. I was surprised that Melvin didn't seek a way to age again, but glad he realized that Ellie was right about the potential consequences of publishing his serum.
franki7's review
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
laurenmidna's review
4.0
Short and sweet, well polished. I don’t think I would be strong enough to talk anyone I love out of drinking from the fountain of youth.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
5.0
Ellie's grandfather is a scientist—and full of surprises. One day, Ellie's mom comes home with a thirteen-year-old boy in tow, one who looks and acts just like Grandpa Melvin. It sounds impossible, but the close-knit eyebrows and black dress socks convince her it's really him. Grandpa Melvin says he's found a cure for aging. The problem is, no one at his lab would recognize this shaggy-haired boy as Melvin Sagarsky, PhD. If he can just find a way back into his laboratory, he can retrieve the cure and share it with the world.
In the meantime, though, Ellie's mom insists that Melvin go to school like a normal thirteen-year-old. It's a little weird going off to middle school with her grandfather, but Ellie finds she enjoys hanging out with him. Her best friend Brianna is on the volleyball team this year and doesn't have much time for Ellie anymore. Plus, Grandpa Melvin knows a lot about science, and the more Ellie learns from him, the more she wants to know. The worlds of Robert Oppenheimer and Jonas Salk are fascinating and new, after growing up with an actor dad and theater teacher mom. Ellie thinks maybe science is something she can be passionate about—after all, her mom is always telling her to find her passion, even if she probably meant onstage or in a costume shop.
As Ellie and Melvin discuss his discovery and brainstorm ways to gain entrance to his lab, they find they both have a lot to learn about life, change, aging, and death. None of it is as simple as they thought, but Ellie finds that things can be glorious and complicated at the same time.
This book is funny, accessible, and deceptively simple, but it honors its theme with the complexity it deserves. Holm has managed to write a sweet story that is also loaded with truth. If you've ever wondered what path to follow in life, if you've ever wished you could go back to a better time, you will love the endearing and insightful Fourteenth Goldfish.
With regards to NetGalley and Random House for the advance copy. On sale August 26.
Find more of my book recommendations for grades 6-12 at www.read-or-die.com.
In the meantime, though, Ellie's mom insists that Melvin go to school like a normal thirteen-year-old. It's a little weird going off to middle school with her grandfather, but Ellie finds she enjoys hanging out with him. Her best friend Brianna is on the volleyball team this year and doesn't have much time for Ellie anymore. Plus, Grandpa Melvin knows a lot about science, and the more Ellie learns from him, the more she wants to know. The worlds of Robert Oppenheimer and Jonas Salk are fascinating and new, after growing up with an actor dad and theater teacher mom. Ellie thinks maybe science is something she can be passionate about—after all, her mom is always telling her to find her passion, even if she probably meant onstage or in a costume shop.
As Ellie and Melvin discuss his discovery and brainstorm ways to gain entrance to his lab, they find they both have a lot to learn about life, change, aging, and death. None of it is as simple as they thought, but Ellie finds that things can be glorious and complicated at the same time.
This book is funny, accessible, and deceptively simple, but it honors its theme with the complexity it deserves. Holm has managed to write a sweet story that is also loaded with truth. If you've ever wondered what path to follow in life, if you've ever wished you could go back to a better time, you will love the endearing and insightful Fourteenth Goldfish.
With regards to NetGalley and Random House for the advance copy. On sale August 26.
Find more of my book recommendations for grades 6-12 at www.read-or-die.com.
whitmc's review
5.0
Recommended by L who checked it out of the school library and then pressed it into my hands. What a gift to have my kid recommend a book to me. She alluded to a surprise and I couldn’t resist, and it was worth it. Middle grade books are so wonderful. I told her she must get the sequel!
janerose123's review
4.0
In The Fourteenth Goldfish, Jennifer Holm illuminates the wonder and possibilities of science, the complexities of family relationships, and the allure of immortality through a humorous story of an eleven-year-old girl named Ellie and her quirky grandfather Melvin.
I liked the story. I chose this book to read because it was won in the poll and it's our book of the month. I was glad to read this one. Our theme is a sci-fi and I chose to read this one:) My next read now is Sal and Gabi Breaks the Universe by Carlos Hernandez and here I come:D
I liked the story. I chose this book to read because it was won in the poll and it's our book of the month. I was glad to read this one. Our theme is a sci-fi and I chose to read this one:) My next read now is Sal and Gabi Breaks the Universe by Carlos Hernandez and here I come:D
crystal_reading's review
5.0
It's a good book when I have laughed out loud within the first chapter. No spoilers here, but Ellie's goldfish story is very funny.
Jennifer Holm is a master at characterization. I always feel like I have just welcomed some new friends into my life when I read her novels. Ellie is working on finding her passion. Her interests are very different than those of her parents. She's comfortable in the kitchen experimenting and she has a questioning mind, but hasn't yet found her niche.
Ellie's grandpa is also hilarious. I like a little snarkiness in a grandparent as long as I am not having to deal with it myself. He is also way high on the quirkiness scale. He knows what he knows and speaks his mind without holding back.
He isn't the only bit of humor in the book either. Ellie has some great observations like, "Middle school is like one of those highway restrooms in the middle of nowhere. It's dirty and smelly, and it's crowded with strange people" (p. 31).
This isn't just a story that makes you laugh though. It made me think, feel, cry, and wonder. There are big life questions embedded in the scientific discoveries and experimentation that would be great to ponder alone or in a discussion with others. There are also family connections that speak to the possibilities we have in our own lives and relationships. I know I will be handing this book to many people and recommending it like crazy.
Jennifer Holm is a master at characterization. I always feel like I have just welcomed some new friends into my life when I read her novels. Ellie is working on finding her passion. Her interests are very different than those of her parents. She's comfortable in the kitchen experimenting and she has a questioning mind, but hasn't yet found her niche.
Ellie's grandpa is also hilarious. I like a little snarkiness in a grandparent as long as I am not having to deal with it myself. He is also way high on the quirkiness scale. He knows what he knows and speaks his mind without holding back.
He isn't the only bit of humor in the book either. Ellie has some great observations like, "Middle school is like one of those highway restrooms in the middle of nowhere. It's dirty and smelly, and it's crowded with strange people" (p. 31).
This isn't just a story that makes you laugh though. It made me think, feel, cry, and wonder. There are big life questions embedded in the scientific discoveries and experimentation that would be great to ponder alone or in a discussion with others. There are also family connections that speak to the possibilities we have in our own lives and relationships. I know I will be handing this book to many people and recommending it like crazy.
chugthecow's review
2.25
In my opinion, you could pick a better book for your fourth grade class to do a book report on.