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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
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.
I liked this a lot more than I was expecting to. I had checked this title out because I just wanted something short for a couple of walks/runs.
I was reminded of "Flowers for Algernon" pretty early on in the story, but this book wasn't treading that same ground. Instead, this book covered a lot of different territories: growing old, losing friends and making new friends and the pain there, learning to live with one's parents' expectations, learning to accept one's child's differences and interests, opening oneself to possibilities, tolerance, the importance of curiosity and asking questions....and the part I liked best, science is okay and interesting.
Ellie was such a positive and open person, in stark contrast to her overbearing, intolerant, and at times idiot, grandfather. I found that Ellie came across as more of an adult than her grandfather, and mother sometimes. I liked Ellie's growing interest in science, and how positively the author presented a few scientific discoveries that have had a large impact on the world. Ellie also learned that there are costs to science, sometimes quite grim, but the overall message was to keep exploring, keep asking questions. This science-positive book was a nice change over the bajillion fantasy stories out there, that tell kids that a spell, a wand, a secret, or just somehow being that special chosen one are all you need in life. I left this book with the idea that a questioning mind, and being open and caring are not bad things to have.
I was reminded of "Flowers for Algernon" pretty early on in the story, but this book wasn't treading that same ground. Instead, this book covered a lot of different territories: growing old, losing friends and making new friends and the pain there, learning to live with one's parents' expectations, learning to accept one's child's differences and interests, opening oneself to possibilities, tolerance, the importance of curiosity and asking questions....and the part I liked best, science is okay and interesting.
Ellie was such a positive and open person, in stark contrast to her overbearing, intolerant, and at times idiot, grandfather. I found that Ellie came across as more of an adult than her grandfather, and mother sometimes. I liked Ellie's growing interest in science, and how positively the author presented a few scientific discoveries that have had a large impact on the world. Ellie also learned that there are costs to science, sometimes quite grim, but the overall message was to keep exploring, keep asking questions. This science-positive book was a nice change over the bajillion fantasy stories out there, that tell kids that a spell, a wand, a secret, or just somehow being that special chosen one are all you need in life. I left this book with the idea that a questioning mind, and being open and caring are not bad things to have.
Kind of cute and quirky. But I had a hard time believing that Ellie was only 12 and certain aspects did strain credibility. I liked the science-y bits.
The audio was a little grating--when Georgette Perna did Ellie's voice it got pretty high and squeaky.
Summary: Ellie's scientist grandfather has discovered a way to reverse aging, and consequently has turned into a teenager--which makes for complicated relationships when he moves in with Ellie and her mother, his daughter.
The audio was a little grating--when Georgette Perna did Ellie's voice it got pretty high and squeaky.
Summary: Ellie's scientist grandfather has discovered a way to reverse aging, and consequently has turned into a teenager--which makes for complicated relationships when he moves in with Ellie and her mother, his daughter.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A fun adventure, mixed with introspection
As usual, I appreciate Jennifer Holm's insights into life and the nature of being -- deep issues underlying this family/school/middle grade story. "Believe in the possible" is something Ellie's grandfather says often, and the reader will need to stretch their belief in one big way -- for Ellie's scientist grandfather has discovered how to reverse the aging process. Now a hungry, surly teen who can no longer access his office at work, Melvin is stuck going to middle school with Ellie. Though many people dream of returning to their youth, few of us dream of returning to middle school. Spending time with her grandfather is funny, frustrating, and a learning experience. While Melvin doesn't get along very well with his daughter, it turns out he has more in common with his granddaughter. Ellie discovers the wonder of science from her grandfather, learns to believe in the possible, especially within herself. She also turns out to be even more mature that her grandfather when she comes to the realization that her grandfather's experiments come at a cost -- maybe being younger, trying to reverse time or not age, isn't always such a good idea. I like how Holm develops Ellie's character and learning so that she realizes this for herself. It's beautifully done -- not at all preachy or anything -- and the book retains a light, humorous tone even when talking about quite deep subjects.
One day Ellie's mom brings a teenager home. She claims this young Melvin is actually grandpa Melvin. He has found the fountain of youth, which turns out to be a jellyfish. Of course he experimented on himself and reversed the aging process. Only problem is that his lab has been bought out and they are pushing Melvin out; of course there is also the fact that he looks 15 instead of 75 like he is supposed to. So Melvin moves in with Ellie and her mom and starts going to school with her. Melvin and the mom do not get along. Melvin doesn't respect the fact that Ellie's mom has chosen a career in drama instead of following in his footsteps with science. Melvin also doesn't fit in at school since he still acts, dresses and talks like a 75 year old man with no respect for anyone else. Ellie however kind of likes having her grandpa around. She has found that middle school is a whole new world compared to elementary school. Her best friend has moved on to the world of volleyball and Ellie doesn't find it easy to make friends. Soon Melvin has pulled Raj (scary goth kid who is actually pretty nice) into their circle and concocted plans to break into his lab and steal his jellyfish. Ellie is also finding that she fits in with the science world of Melvin a lot more than she does with the drama/theater world of her parents.
I thought Ellie was fantastic as a character. She is trying to find her way in the world and trying to figure out who she is just like everyone else. She doesn't feel like she fits in with her family or her friends anymore and has to find where she does fit. I liked the fact that the complete misfit Melvin actually teaches her more about being herself. Melvin doesn't care if he fits in; he just does what he wants when he wants to. Ellie develops an appreciation for science and a better relationship with her grandpa through this process. I really like well done coming of age stories and this one is excellent.
I thought Ellie was fantastic as a character. She is trying to find her way in the world and trying to figure out who she is just like everyone else. She doesn't feel like she fits in with her family or her friends anymore and has to find where she does fit. I liked the fact that the complete misfit Melvin actually teaches her more about being herself. Melvin doesn't care if he fits in; he just does what he wants when he wants to. Ellie develops an appreciation for science and a better relationship with her grandpa through this process. I really like well done coming of age stories and this one is excellent.
I checked this book out because the cover intrigued me. I was expecting a story about a goldfish, maybe even fourteen of them. I was not expecting a story about a mad scientist, a string of break-in's to a science lab, and an obsession with time travel. I can see where this book would appeal to children in the middle grades (3rd-5th grade) but I did not love this one.
What a fantastic read. Shared with Matt and Brennan - which opened many important discussions. A special book.
I liked this book, it was a good read for 3rd-5th grades. Parts of it were funny, and it incorporated some nice science into it as well.