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katykelly 's review for:
The Fourteenth Goldfish
by Jennifer L. Holm
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.