The Fourteenth Goldfish
Believe in the possible . . . with this New York Times bestseller by three-time Newbery Honor winner Jennifer L. Holm. A perfect read about a child's relationship with her grandfather!
Galileo. Newton. Salk. Oppenheimer. Science can change the world . . . but can it go too far?
Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up. He’s bossy. He’s cranky. And weirdly enough . . . he looks a lot like Ellie’s grandfather, a scientist who’s always been slightly obsessed with immortality. Could this gawky teenager really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth?
With a lighthearted touch and plenty of humor, Jennifer Holm celebrates the wonder of science and explores fascinating questions about life and death, family and friendship, immortality . . . and possibility. Look for EXCLUSIVE NEW MATERIAL in the paperback—including Ellie’s gallery of scientists and other STEM-appropriate features.
And don’t miss the much-anticipated sequel, The Third Mushroom!
“Warm, witty, and wise.” —The New York Times
* “Written in a clean, crisp style, with lively dialogue and wit, this highly accessible novel will find a ready audience.” —Booklist, Starred
* “Top-notch middle-grade fiction.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred
* “Ellie’s memorable journey into the world of science will inspire readers to explore the world around them and celebrate the possible.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred
“Awesomely strange and startlingly true-to-life. It makes you wonder what’s possible.” —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Reach Me
25 STATE AWARD LISTS including the Sunshine State!
Galileo. Newton. Salk. Oppenheimer. Science can change the world . . . but can it go too far?
Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up. He’s bossy. He’s cranky. And weirdly enough . . . he looks a lot like Ellie’s grandfather, a scientist who’s always been slightly obsessed with immortality. Could this gawky teenager really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth?
With a lighthearted touch and plenty of humor, Jennifer Holm celebrates the wonder of science and explores fascinating questions about life and death, family and friendship, immortality . . . and possibility. Look for EXCLUSIVE NEW MATERIAL in the paperback—including Ellie’s gallery of scientists and other STEM-appropriate features.
And don’t miss the much-anticipated sequel, The Third Mushroom!
“Warm, witty, and wise.” —The New York Times
* “Written in a clean, crisp style, with lively dialogue and wit, this highly accessible novel will find a ready audience.” —Booklist, Starred
* “Top-notch middle-grade fiction.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred
* “Ellie’s memorable journey into the world of science will inspire readers to explore the world around them and celebrate the possible.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred
“Awesomely strange and startlingly true-to-life. It makes you wonder what’s possible.” —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Reach Me
25 STATE AWARD LISTS including the Sunshine State!
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Community Reviews
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When her grandfather shows up at her house looking like a fourteen year old it was just the beginning of the changes within Ellie's life.
The story was a fun read with a good moral. I was impressed with Ellie's character growth. At the beginning she didn't know anything about science, but throughout the story she learned and even became comfortable enough to confront her grandfather, a notable scientist, when she believed he was in the wrong.
There were times where the character's felt a little older than they actually were. Despite that I really enjoyed all the characters except the grandfather, Melvin. He had nothing positive to say about Ellie's mother the entire book. I don't care he didn't agree with his child's life choices, what he found most objectionable was that she had become a high school drama teacher, but really he should have found somethings he liked about her to say in front of her daughter. Sorry, personal soap box.
When her grandfather shows up at her house looking like a fourteen year old it was just the beginning of the changes within Ellie's life.
The story was a fun read with a good moral. I was impressed with Ellie's character growth. At the beginning she didn't know anything about science, but throughout the story she learned and even became comfortable enough to confront her grandfather, a notable scientist, when she believed he was in the wrong.
There were times where the character's felt a little older than they actually were. Despite that I really enjoyed all the characters except the grandfather, Melvin. He had nothing positive to say about Ellie's mother the entire book. I don't care he didn't agree with his child's life choices, what he found most objectionable was that she had become a high school drama teacher, but really he should have found somethings he liked about her to say in front of her daughter. Sorry, personal soap box.
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