3.77 AVERAGE


What 11 year old describes an adult male as brooding? Fun and sweet, though, with good messages about tween friendship, science, and learning from your grandparents.

When Ellie's grandfather discovers the secret to reversing the aging process and shows up at her house as a 13-year-old, Ellie's whole world is about to change. Ellie is entering middle school, losing some friends while gaining new, and discovering her love for science thanks to her scientist grandfather. This is a cute and thoughtful book. While its character is only eleven, any age can relate to the struggles of finding who you are and your place in the world. I also enjoyed all the references to science that may spark inquiring, student-minds to conduct some of their own research!

Eh. I was so disappointed by this fantasy. I usually LOVE. Jennifer Holm, whether it's graphic novels (Babymouse) or historical novels ( I was pulling for Turtle in Paradise to get the Newbery). But this fantasy just didn't send me. The heroine's grandpa is a mad scientist who discovers the fountain of youth in a jellyfish and tests it out, turning himself 13 in the process. Thus he has to come live with the heroine and her kooky drama teacher mother. So we have a kind of Freak Friday situation here (except that she doesn't turn old$, and we get the predictable laughs at the newly young grandfather walking around in old man's clothes. But somehow this doesn't turn the heroine into a pariah, that she is hanging out with her supposed cousin who dresses like a grandfather. The mother also seemed derivative to me; in this case she was like Mia Thermopolis's Bohemian mother in Princess Diaries. Again it was played for laughs, with Arty Mom wearing fuschia minis and tall boots to school, much to cranky young grandpa's loudly expressed disapproval. But the worst was that in the end Grandpa is willing to give up his fabulous youth serum made of jellyfish because of some classic poetry about beginnings needing endings. Even in a 13-year-old body, this guy was not going to come around to that point of view. The thing people sometimes forget about fantasy is that it has to be even MORE scrupulously realistic in the parts where it can be. The fantasy must be lightly attached at all 4 corners. Otherwise it doesn't work. Jennifer Holmes is a brilliant historical novelist and graphic novelist. Maybe she should,stick,to,those.

I understand now what people meant when they said this book is "more than it seems". I initially thought that I would not enjoy it. I thought it was going to be sci-fi book about an anti-aging potion. It is about family dynamics, growing old and discovering what is important.

DELIGHTFUL. Great book for kids and adults, good family read aloud book or book on tape, everyone will enjoy. Got some good stuff about science in there, middleschool social challenges and family obstacles. I am kind of into alternating the heavy stuff i am reading with books my kids are into. When they LOVE something i like to read it, then i can buy the stuff they will be into. Extra bonus? I like what they like!!

There's an episode of Rick and Morty where Rick clones himself as a teenager and goes to school with Morty as "Tiny Rick." This is kind of like that but without the drinking and belching, and death. Things never end well in that show.

I read this book in one sitting. Despite liking all of the characters, there's a weird disconnect between them. Ellie and her grandfather find their new relationship helps them get to know each other, especially since her parents are both creative-artistic types and it seems like she has to fend for herself a lot. He enables her to see science all around and the book addresses some ethical issues as well. I hope grandpa Melvin will come back in a sequel!

Yes! Yes! This is a serious Science Love book, and I enjoyed every page. I can't wait to see what my students think about it.

I hope it also makes them curious about the scientists mentioned in the story - like Marie Curie, Oppenheimer, and Salk. Gotta find some good nonfiction pairings for this.

I loved this book!

I prefer not to have STEAM shoved down my throat. Particularly with flat characters. I was told this book was funny. Lies. I didn't crack a smile once. Although I can't seem to keep it on the shelf. I do like that it tries to engage kids in science through seemingly un-sciencey daily activities. It was just too obvious. No subtley.
emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes