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jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
I love the relationship between Ellie and Melvin, and I adore their discussions about science. I should have loved this book, but instead I just liked it. I don't know how to say it, exactly, but the phrase that keeps coming to mind is that it needs more there there.
izedriftwood's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Make this one a 7!
A special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Books for providing me with this eARC.
My Take
Oh. My. God. Get this book. Do not pass go. Do not wait for that $200. Just go get this book! It's hysterically funny with a wry sense of humor, an easy read, and full of life lessons you want your child to absorb. Heck, it won't hurt you none, either!
So, you may have determined that I absolutely adored this story. And you'd be right. What's astonishing is that this story is about science and its joys — and I hate science. I might have enjoyed science more as a kid if I'd read this when I was in school, for Holm makes you look at science in a whole new light. To realize how much it affects your entire life. And I don't mean those science-y kind of parts. I'm talking about cooking, and come to think of it, it's about doing laundry as well, lol. I had a couple days with one of my sisters a few months back, and she noted how much her chemistry has helped in taking stains out of clothes.
Ellie may not be interested in drama for a career, but she's got the talent for it down pat. Right along with her disapproving grandpa who represents the mad scientist quite well. As for Mom, oh, yeah, you only need to read her spur-of-the-moment story to explain her young cousin's appearance to know she's good!
You will crack up as you read the new kid's complaints. It's such a disconnect to hear cranky old man whines coming from a thirteen-year-old! Holm gets it just right with Ellie's responses — both verbal and mental — which are exactly what I'd expect from an eleven-year-old! Contrasted against Melvin's remarks, you can't help the giggles.
Grandpa makes science fun, he puts the wonder in thinking about it as he poses questions for Ellie about apples and the science of the kitchen.
Holm drops the info beautifully. No dumping, just integrated information that feels so natural. THANK YOU! Yes, I adored her lead-in for the cooking-as-science segment. Too, too funny.
Another one of those life lessons? Ellie's observation about the constant arguing between her mom and her grandpa. There's also that poignant lesson Grandpa picks up. He's a few years too late, but it is one that may help us grown-ups re-think our goals.
One of the scenes that brings those tears seeping forth is the one in which Ellie helps pack up her grandpa's clothes . . . and she sees that one-year anniversary card and those slippers set out. And it's making me cry now as I think about it. Part of it is that contrast with Grandpa's attitude and then this. It really brings home how much he misses her.
I am not going to agree with any of 'em about Catcher in the Rye. But I will be ROFLMAO over those Halloween costumes. Omigod.
Ellie also learns the down side of science . . . as well as the down side of immortality. About endings and beginning, and how they apply to her mom, Ellie's friendships. It's a realization that will drive a spike between Ellie and her grandpa. But it also gives Ellie a new perspective on happy endings, for there aren't any. There are only happy beginnings; it's so much more positive.
Oh, I love the imagery of Ellie's new bedroom design . . . I'm tempted to do it myself.
And that ending . . . lol . . . it is too perfect!
The Story
Your average eleven-year-old’s day, learning the truth about Goldie, hangin’ with the babysitter, and Mom bailing Grandpa out of jail. Only, it’s not the grandpa that Ellie remembers!
The Characters
Eleven-year-old Ellie Cruz has just graduated fifth grade, learned a universal truth about life, and now has a new babysitter. Ellie's mom, Melissa, is a high school drama teacher while her dad, Jeremy Cruz, is an actor who's on the road with Les Misérables. Unfortunately, they're divorced. Ben is Melissa's staunch boyfriend with degrees from Harvard and M.I.T. Grandpa is Dr. Marvin Sagarsky, a scientist fascinated by immortality with a preference for moo goo gai pan.
Brianna was Ellie's best friend until other interests got in the way. Momo is Ellie's lab partner in science; Mr. Ham is the science teacher with the fun ties. Raj is the goth kid who thinks that old Sagarsky is a quack. Ananda is Raj's older brother. The one with the car.
Starlily was Ellie's preschool teacher who taught them about the cycle of life. A lesson that didn't sink in for a few years. Nicole is Ellie's babysitter with bad timing. Bernadette is the middle school secretary and a friend of Melissa's. Billy is an Australian diver.
The Cover
The cover is too perfect and covers it all, lol. A lab flask with that fourteenth goldfish fills the cover against a blue, watery background, bubbles rising up, the crucial jellyfish floating in the upper right corner, and Ellie’s grandfather’s mantra curving to fit the base of the flask: Believe in the possible.
The title is Ellie’s realization that her mom has been keeping a goldfish going for seven years. Only, it’s not quite as Ellie thought. It’ll be The Fourteenth Goldfish that sinks the lesson in.
A special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Books for providing me with this eARC.
"To the possible!"
My Take
Oh. My. God. Get this book. Do not pass go. Do not wait for that $200. Just go get this book! It's hysterically funny with a wry sense of humor, an easy read, and full of life lessons you want your child to absorb. Heck, it won't hurt you none, either!
So, you may have determined that I absolutely adored this story. And you'd be right. What's astonishing is that this story is about science and its joys — and I hate science. I might have enjoyed science more as a kid if I'd read this when I was in school, for Holm makes you look at science in a whole new light. To realize how much it affects your entire life. And I don't mean those science-y kind of parts. I'm talking about cooking, and come to think of it, it's about doing laundry as well, lol. I had a couple days with one of my sisters a few months back, and she noted how much her chemistry has helped in taking stains out of clothes.
Ellie may not be interested in drama for a career, but she's got the talent for it down pat. Right along with her disapproving grandpa who represents the mad scientist quite well. As for Mom, oh, yeah, you only need to read her spur-of-the-moment story to explain her young cousin's appearance to know she's good!
You will crack up as you read the new kid's complaints. It's such a disconnect to hear cranky old man whines coming from a thirteen-year-old! Holm gets it just right with Ellie's responses — both verbal and mental — which are exactly what I'd expect from an eleven-year-old! Contrasted against Melvin's remarks, you can't help the giggles.
Science is all about solving the puzzles.
Grandpa makes science fun, he puts the wonder in thinking about it as he poses questions for Ellie about apples and the science of the kitchen.
Holm drops the info beautifully. No dumping, just integrated information that feels so natural. THANK YOU! Yes, I adored her lead-in for the cooking-as-science segment. Too, too funny.
Another one of those life lessons? Ellie's observation about the constant arguing between her mom and her grandpa. There's also that poignant lesson Grandpa picks up. He's a few years too late, but it is one that may help us grown-ups re-think our goals.
One of the scenes that brings those tears seeping forth is the one in which Ellie helps pack up her grandpa's clothes . . . and she sees that one-year anniversary card and those slippers set out. And it's making me cry now as I think about it. Part of it is that contrast with Grandpa's attitude and then this. It really brings home how much he misses her.
I am not going to agree with any of 'em about Catcher in the Rye. But I will be ROFLMAO over those Halloween costumes. Omigod.
Ellie also learns the down side of science . . . as well as the down side of immortality. About endings and beginning, and how they apply to her mom, Ellie's friendships. It's a realization that will drive a spike between Ellie and her grandpa. But it also gives Ellie a new perspective on happy endings, for there aren't any. There are only happy beginnings; it's so much more positive.
Oh, I love the imagery of Ellie's new bedroom design . . . I'm tempted to do it myself.
And that ending . . . lol . . . it is too perfect!
The Story
Your average eleven-year-old’s day, learning the truth about Goldie, hangin’ with the babysitter, and Mom bailing Grandpa out of jail. Only, it’s not the grandpa that Ellie remembers!
The Characters
Eleven-year-old Ellie Cruz has just graduated fifth grade, learned a universal truth about life, and now has a new babysitter. Ellie's mom, Melissa, is a high school drama teacher while her dad, Jeremy Cruz, is an actor who's on the road with Les Misérables. Unfortunately, they're divorced. Ben is Melissa's staunch boyfriend with degrees from Harvard and M.I.T. Grandpa is Dr. Marvin Sagarsky, a scientist fascinated by immortality with a preference for moo goo gai pan.
Brianna was Ellie's best friend until other interests got in the way. Momo is Ellie's lab partner in science; Mr. Ham is the science teacher with the fun ties. Raj is the goth kid who thinks that old Sagarsky is a quack. Ananda is Raj's older brother. The one with the car.
Starlily was Ellie's preschool teacher who taught them about the cycle of life. A lesson that didn't sink in for a few years. Nicole is Ellie's babysitter with bad timing. Bernadette is the middle school secretary and a friend of Melissa's. Billy is an Australian diver.
The Cover
The cover is too perfect and covers it all, lol. A lab flask with that fourteenth goldfish fills the cover against a blue, watery background, bubbles rising up, the crucial jellyfish floating in the upper right corner, and Ellie’s grandfather’s mantra curving to fit the base of the flask: Believe in the possible.
The title is Ellie’s realization that her mom has been keeping a goldfish going for seven years. Only, it’s not quite as Ellie thought. It’ll be The Fourteenth Goldfish that sinks the lesson in.
ejnations's review
funny
medium-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
4.25
reader4evr's review
5.0
This was really good!! I didn't know too much going into this but I'm so glad that I picked it up. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was perfect. She sounded like I imaged what Ellie would sound like.
It was a clever book and I think kids will really like it.
It was a clever book and I think kids will really like it.
bookph1le's review
4.0
This sweet, funny, heartfelt book asks a lot of very challenging but age-appropriate questions about families, aging, and scientific ethics. I really enjoyed it, and it's given me a springboard to talk about some heavy, important stuff with my kiddo.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
This one is a short, but gorgeous book about growing up, about science, about family, and a bit about goldfish.
I absolutely loved the book, though I have rated it 4.5 and not 5 for one reason: The Grandfather, I know, I know he is technically an adult, but looks like a teenager now and is under the care of his daughter. He had good times (like when he taught Ellie science, or tried to steal that jellyfish) but he also had times that I just hated him. For how he acted with his daughter, how he embarrassed her a few times, how he never seemed happy with her choices (she picked theatre, while he wanted her to get PhDs). I wish he could just be happy for her, see that she is happy, that she has a good life, with a great boyfriend.
I loved the premise. Grandfather finds a cure for old age, and turns in a teenager. Things happen and he is now under the care of his daughter. I really liked that, the thought that a jellyfish might hold the answers to old age and fountain of youth. And I also liked the idea of someone old turning back to a teenager. Especially in this age with all the things that are so new and that older people don't always know or use.
I loved Ellie, she was a wonderful character and I just loved seeing her growing up, from a kid who didn't know what she liked, who was wondering if she was at the wrong place (both her parents love theatre, she not so much), to a kid who knew she loves science, that she takes after her Grandfather, that she has a place now.
She loses one friend, but luckily finds a new one. One who doesn't ditch her for other things.
I loved the ending (my favourites: Mom + Ben, the slippers (read and you find out their meaning)).
I would truly recommend this book to everyone. Me? I will be buying this one when it comes out in paperback, since I just got to have this on my bookshelves. :)
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This one is a short, but gorgeous book about growing up, about science, about family, and a bit about goldfish.
I absolutely loved the book, though I have rated it 4.5 and not 5 for one reason: The Grandfather, I know, I know he is technically an adult, but looks like a teenager now and is under the care of his daughter. He had good times (like when he taught Ellie science, or tried to steal that jellyfish) but he also had times that I just hated him. For how he acted with his daughter, how he embarrassed her a few times, how he never seemed happy with her choices (she picked theatre, while he wanted her to get PhDs). I wish he could just be happy for her, see that she is happy, that she has a good life, with a great boyfriend.
I loved the premise. Grandfather finds a cure for old age, and turns in a teenager. Things happen and he is now under the care of his daughter. I really liked that, the thought that a jellyfish might hold the answers to old age and fountain of youth. And I also liked the idea of someone old turning back to a teenager. Especially in this age with all the things that are so new and that older people don't always know or use.
I loved Ellie, she was a wonderful character and I just loved seeing her growing up, from a kid who didn't know what she liked, who was wondering if she was at the wrong place (both her parents love theatre, she not so much), to a kid who knew she loves science, that she takes after her Grandfather, that she has a place now.
She loses one friend, but luckily finds a new one. One who doesn't ditch her for other things.
I loved the ending (my favourites: Mom + Ben, the slippers (read and you find out their meaning)).
I would truly recommend this book to everyone. Me? I will be buying this one when it comes out in paperback, since I just got to have this on my bookshelves. :)
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
vtsarahd's review against another edition
5.0
Clever, funny, and thought-provoking, I thought that the Fourteenth Goldfish was a great middle-grade novel. Excited to share it with my fourth graders. Lots of important themes about science, aging, and believing in the possible. Young readers will identify with Ellie and will hopefully be inspired by her interest in science.
dilchh's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very informative book, although most of the informations were quite simple and could be searched through the internet these days. But, since it was written and incorporated nicely into the story, I think that children reading this book will have remembered the information well and would be interested in learning more about Salk, Oppenheimer, and Marie Curie. The information mainly talks about science and how science is such an interesting subject. The author did not hesitate in disclosing the harsh truth about Oppenheimer’s invention of the atomic bomb, and the radiation that Marie Curie endured for the sake of science. I think it’s interesting to incorporate those informations into the story as it gives another dimension, about how one’s invention can be seen as both good and bad, or how one simply persevere in the face of hardship, all for science.
Whilst it was quite informative for a children’s book, this book did not lose its touch by only focusing on the science part, there’s the heart-wrenching and the hilarious part of it. I love how the book mainly focuses on changes and how one can cope through the changes without losing control of one’s own life. The fact that Ellie’s relationship with Raj were focused on finding and making new friends is very beautiful. It shows, from an early age, that girls and boys can be friends without the complication of having to feel awkward, leave that for the adult, don’t bother complicating friendship from such a young age.
It was disappointing to see the ending ended on such a short notice, especially when I kept on guessing and half-expecting when things will go wrong, but at the same time it was a perfect ending, for at the end of the day, Ellie was presented with something for her to believe in the possible.
Whilst it was quite informative for a children’s book, this book did not lose its touch by only focusing on the science part, there’s the heart-wrenching and the hilarious part of it. I love how the book mainly focuses on changes and how one can cope through the changes without losing control of one’s own life. The fact that Ellie’s relationship with Raj were focused on finding and making new friends is very beautiful. It shows, from an early age, that girls and boys can be friends without the complication of having to feel awkward, leave that for the adult, don’t bother complicating friendship from such a young age.
It was disappointing to see the ending ended on such a short notice, especially when I kept on guessing and half-expecting when things will go wrong, but at the same time it was a perfect ending, for at the end of the day, Ellie was presented with something for her to believe in the possible.
katykelly's review
5.0
Lovely little read! Growing up, science and family mixed together in a short and perfectly-paced tale.
Eleven-year-old Ellie is feeling a little lost. Her best friend hangs out with the volleyball crowd, she misses her old class, and her goldfish who's recently died. One day, a familiar-seeming boy shows up with her mum, he seems very much like her grouchy scientist grandfather... And guess what? Melvin has discovered the formula for eternal youth - he's thirteen again (with the appetite and moodiness to match). But he's still her grouchy old grandfather, in his polyester trousers. And he needs her help to gain access to the lab that has all his research in but won't allow the teenager inside to get it...
It's a simple tale, but very funny. The relationships are lovely, between mother, daughter and granddad, and the scientific angle is fresh and poignant: we get a lot of insight into famous scientists of the past, the idea of 'possibility' and endeavour, and a lot of pondering on the morality of staying young forever.
It's a nicely-judged ending, and allows the whole tale to be a suitable one for 9-14 year olds who like short chapters, a dab of fantasy, family-life stories and lots of Chinese food!
Review of a Netgalley advance copy.
Eleven-year-old Ellie is feeling a little lost. Her best friend hangs out with the volleyball crowd, she misses her old class, and her goldfish who's recently died. One day, a familiar-seeming boy shows up with her mum, he seems very much like her grouchy scientist grandfather... And guess what? Melvin has discovered the formula for eternal youth - he's thirteen again (with the appetite and moodiness to match). But he's still her grouchy old grandfather, in his polyester trousers. And he needs her help to gain access to the lab that has all his research in but won't allow the teenager inside to get it...
It's a simple tale, but very funny. The relationships are lovely, between mother, daughter and granddad, and the scientific angle is fresh and poignant: we get a lot of insight into famous scientists of the past, the idea of 'possibility' and endeavour, and a lot of pondering on the morality of staying young forever.
It's a nicely-judged ending, and allows the whole tale to be a suitable one for 9-14 year olds who like short chapters, a dab of fantasy, family-life stories and lots of Chinese food!
Review of a Netgalley advance copy.