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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
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.
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.
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.
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.
funny
lighthearted
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
I really enjoyed this middle-grade story. Ellie's grandfather is a scientist who discovers a way to reverse the process of aging, and appears at their house as a 13-year-old boy. His presence puts an interesting perspective on her life in middle school and allows Ellie to find some new interests and insights. This book doesn't diminish the difficulties of middle school, but is also not nearly as angsty as some. It's fresh and original without being edge and coarse. This would be an easy one to recommend to kids.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I really enjoyed this! Smart, funny, and great characters (even though one is a scientist in his 70s masquerading as a teenager). Twelve year old Ellie is struggling with friendship in her new school but has other interests! Yeah Science! Nice to see a story where her girl is expanding her mind and builds the courage to speak up to her family. Great story about what humans are capable of.... Will start children thinking about the "big questions."