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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
That sneaky Jenni Holm. She always writes novels that I initially think I'm not going to like and then every time manages to make me fall in love with them. Not only will kids love this book, but there is a lot of worthwhile discussion to have about what it means to grow old and what a privilege it is to do so.
I've been trying to review this for several weeks, and the pressure is really on since it's a Netgalley book and I've been very bad. I just don't have a straight answer to whether I liked it or not.
The story is about Ellie and her scientifically rejuvenated grandfather who comes to crash at their house once he turns himself back into a teenager. "Cousin Melvin" is an interesting fixture in his daughter and granddaughter's lives, with mixed results. It's pretty funny to visualize the 14-year old greasy-haired chacne-having (chin acne!) Melvin telling his grown daughter that she needs to put the trash out the night before pickup or else.
That particular friction aside... he becomes a good friend to Ellie, encouraging her to develop her scientific curiosity and to join him in his scheme to get back his own source of rejuvenation from the lab (who's going to give access to a surly teenager?). Some of the plans were clearly stupid and badly thought-out, and others were slightly more successful.
Melvin and Ellie get help from their new friend Raj, who's supposed to be a cool down-to-earth guy, but he's barely developed. It's nice that he's not in any way stereotypical to what his name implies he is, but that's all he is - "Look! Raj! He's a goth and he's really cool! Isn't it neat that he's not at all like you'd think an Indian kid would be!" The end of that character development. I would have liked to see him more and nose about in his relationship with Ellie. Give me more potential teenage goth kid/science geek puppy love!
I heard that this book talked about the atomic bomb and the overall consequences of scientific discovery and was very much looking forward to finding out how that sore subject would be tackled. Unfortunately, the topic was barely touched on, with no committed stance and only the vaguest of implications of the aftermath. I feel like there was such a great chance to get kids to start learning the true reasons for those events, and it was completely missed. This book became more of a fluff science piece and never gave readers enough to start drawing their own conclusions. Disappointed in that respect.
So that's my mixed feelings. Great character in Ellie, since it's not often that a science geek girl character does not turn into a 2-dimensional bore, and I really really liked the cantankerous Melvin with his own soft spot for pink fuzzy slippers. Boring other characters and a giant missed opportunity to make a serious point about the ugly side of science and competition. 3 stars it is.
-I got a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review-
The story is about Ellie and her scientifically rejuvenated grandfather who comes to crash at their house once he turns himself back into a teenager. "Cousin Melvin" is an interesting fixture in his daughter and granddaughter's lives, with mixed results. It's pretty funny to visualize the 14-year old greasy-haired chacne-having (chin acne!) Melvin telling his grown daughter that she needs to put the trash out the night before pickup or else.
That particular friction aside... he becomes a good friend to Ellie, encouraging her to develop her scientific curiosity and to join him in his scheme to get back his own source of rejuvenation from the lab (who's going to give access to a surly teenager?). Some of the plans were clearly stupid and badly thought-out, and others were slightly more successful.
Melvin and Ellie get help from their new friend Raj, who's supposed to be a cool down-to-earth guy, but he's barely developed. It's nice that he's not in any way stereotypical to what his name implies he is, but that's all he is - "Look! Raj! He's a goth and he's really cool! Isn't it neat that he's not at all like you'd think an Indian kid would be!" The end of that character development. I would have liked to see him more and nose about in his relationship with Ellie. Give me more potential teenage goth kid/science geek puppy love!
I heard that this book talked about the atomic bomb and the overall consequences of scientific discovery and was very much looking forward to finding out how that sore subject would be tackled. Unfortunately, the topic was barely touched on, with no committed stance and only the vaguest of implications of the aftermath. I feel like there was such a great chance to get kids to start learning the true reasons for those events, and it was completely missed. This book became more of a fluff science piece and never gave readers enough to start drawing their own conclusions. Disappointed in that respect.
So that's my mixed feelings. Great character in Ellie, since it's not often that a science geek girl character does not turn into a 2-dimensional bore, and I really really liked the cantankerous Melvin with his own soft spot for pink fuzzy slippers. Boring other characters and a giant missed opportunity to make a serious point about the ugly side of science and competition. 3 stars it is.
-I got a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review-
My thoughts upon finishing this:
1. This is like [a:Rebecca Stead|175329|Rebecca Stead|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1212611033p2/175329.jpg] lite! And I mean that as a compliment! Stead's books explore themes in interesting and sophisticated ways. This explored a theme (the impacts of science on nature) on a bunch of levels in a way that is (probably) easier to grasp for most young readers. I'm very excited to talk to kids about this one.
2. Man, I love this idea of a teenage grandparent. So funny. There was something about it that was familiar to me, but I can't put my finger on where I've seen it before. It begs to be a movie with a great young actor playing Melvin with his scrunchies and polyester pants. Now, I will admit that so much of the Melvin story stretches logic past its breaking point, but I don't care. The story was realistic where it needed to be, and not so realistic in other places. I thought it all flowed beautifully in service of the story.
3. I wish I had read this earlier so I could have booktalked it at my school visits last spring. Our Summer Learning theme is science and this book pushes science in a really fun way. Ellie feels left out of her mom's theater world and her friend's volleyball world, but finds she belongs in the world of scientists.
4. I love Jenni Holm! I've never read anything by her I didn't like. The only thing that keeps me from giving this five stars is the title--well, really, the whole goldfish metaphor. It seemed a little tacked on and unnecessary, like driving home a point that's already been made, which is sort of like talking down to your audience. The only off-key note in an otherwise perfectly pitched middle grade novel.
1. This is like [a:Rebecca Stead|175329|Rebecca Stead|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1212611033p2/175329.jpg] lite! And I mean that as a compliment! Stead's books explore themes in interesting and sophisticated ways. This explored a theme (the impacts of science on nature) on a bunch of levels in a way that is (probably) easier to grasp for most young readers. I'm very excited to talk to kids about this one.
2. Man, I love this idea of a teenage grandparent. So funny. There was something about it that was familiar to me, but I can't put my finger on where I've seen it before. It begs to be a movie with a great young actor playing Melvin with his scrunchies and polyester pants. Now, I will admit that so much of the Melvin story stretches logic past its breaking point, but I don't care. The story was realistic where it needed to be, and not so realistic in other places. I thought it all flowed beautifully in service of the story.
3. I wish I had read this earlier so I could have booktalked it at my school visits last spring. Our Summer Learning theme is science and this book pushes science in a really fun way. Ellie feels left out of her mom's theater world and her friend's volleyball world, but finds she belongs in the world of scientists.
4. I love Jenni Holm! I've never read anything by her I didn't like. The only thing that keeps me from giving this five stars is the title--well, really, the whole goldfish metaphor. It seemed a little tacked on and unnecessary, like driving home a point that's already been made, which is sort of like talking down to your audience. The only off-key note in an otherwise perfectly pitched middle grade novel.
A great look at mortality and finding your way in the world, told in a way that even grade school kids will enjoy and understand.
Such a sweet story!! The grandfather was hilarious!! I loved all of the characters and how different they all are!! I want there to be a sequel.
Quick read--For some reason I thought it was about a child with special needs...it wasn't at all. So, the storyline itself was an interesting and pleasant surprise.
I read this book at the suggestion of my 9 year old. It's a very sweet story with a nice message about life, growing up, and letting go. And a nice book for a science-loving kid - or for a science-loving mom to give to her kid!
This is a book about change, and how it can be scary. Even something as simple as ordering something new off the menu at a restaurant can be daunting.
Ellie is starting middle school which we all know is the worst. But she now has to watch her grandpa too, he's reversed the aging process but is stuck in middle school himself. His major scientific breakthrough has Ellie asking big questions about life the universe and everything. She learns a lot about change and if it's a good thing or not. Is ordering the same thing from the same restaurant every time a good thing or not? How does that apply to life and can she keep her grandpa out of trouble?
A very sweet story that I really did enjoy. For both girls and boys this is a great book about finding what your passion is in life, and being brave enough to change yourself. Fifth grade on up this is a story that gets you thinking.
Ellie is starting middle school which we all know is the worst. But she now has to watch her grandpa too, he's reversed the aging process but is stuck in middle school himself. His major scientific breakthrough has Ellie asking big questions about life the universe and everything. She learns a lot about change and if it's a good thing or not. Is ordering the same thing from the same restaurant every time a good thing or not? How does that apply to life and can she keep her grandpa out of trouble?
A very sweet story that I really did enjoy. For both girls and boys this is a great book about finding what your passion is in life, and being brave enough to change yourself. Fifth grade on up this is a story that gets you thinking.