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megmro's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A funny, quirky, story about a girl going through the social/friendship changes of middle school, while also having to babysit her cranky grandpa, who has turned himself into a 13-year-old boy through a science experiment. Ellie is smart, kind, and likable, and makes new friends with a nice goth boy. Together, the three of them hatch a plan to recover Grandpa's scientific property, which was left behind in his now-off-limits office/lab.
Ellie's parents are divorced, but friendly, and while there are friendship changes, no one is cruel or being a bully.
The climactic scene is when Ellie talks to her grumpy grandpa aboutthe ethics of his science experiment. Should people really live forever? Should no one ever grow up? It is bad for things to change? Really interesting way to present that idea to middle graders -- change is uncomfortable, but don't be afraid.
As far as content goes, the only things I noticed were just a couple mentioned phrases that your kid will probably ask you about. Ellie and her mom briefly mention "meth addict" in a passing joke, and later, Ellie notes that her grandpa doesn't like her dad. "Usually when my grandpa talks about my dad, he uses phrases like, 'no good,' and 'knocked up my daughter.'" It's a brief sentence, and she doesn't go into it any further, but yeah, be prepared for THAT question LOL. ("Hey Mom, what does knocked up mean?")
They also attend a play that the Mom is directing: 'Our Town' by Thornton Wilder. She briefly mentions that the woman in the play dies in childbirth. That might be a discussion topic for sensitive readers. Everything else is really clean & harmless.
Overall, fun and philosophical.
Ellie's parents are divorced, but friendly, and while there are friendship changes, no one is cruel or being a bully.
The climactic scene is when Ellie talks to her grumpy grandpa about
As far as content goes, the only things I noticed were just a couple mentioned phrases that your kid will probably ask you about. Ellie and her mom briefly mention "meth addict" in a passing joke, and later, Ellie notes that her grandpa doesn't like her dad. "Usually when my grandpa talks about my dad, he uses phrases like, 'no good,' and 'knocked up my daughter.'" It's a brief sentence, and she doesn't go into it any further, but yeah, be prepared for THAT question LOL. ("Hey Mom, what does knocked up mean?")
They also attend a play that the Mom is directing: 'Our Town' by Thornton Wilder. She briefly mentions that the woman in the play dies in childbirth. That might be a discussion topic for sensitive readers. Everything else is really clean & harmless.
Overall, fun and philosophical.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death