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Parents' Guide to

The Fourteenth Goldfish

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Funny, sweet fountain-of-youth fantasy about growing wiser.

Book Jennifer L. Holm Contemporary Fiction 2014
The Fourteenth Goldfish Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 10+

Based on 2 parent reviews

missladybug1221
missladybug1221 Parent of 5 and 9-year-old
January 13, 2016
age 9+

Choices

I bought this book from a book store bargain bin after seeing it in our school's LYRC section. I was not disappointed! The main character, Ellie, is a bright young lady who observes the world around her. When her grandfather shows up looking a bit "different" than she is used to, Ellie is swept away in a world of science and temptation. Throughout the book, Ellie uses her observations to make a series of choices. She learns from the less desirable ones, and makes a tough decision that could affect the future of the whole world. This book makes many references to historical figures, yet it relates to today's young reader. Children ages 8 and under might enjoy the book if they have an adult read it aloud, however, it is perfect for ages 9 and up.
jellybean_1414
jellybean_1414 Adult
August 15, 2015
age 10+

Awesome

This is a great book that teaches students and readers to be loyal and responsible. Although once a crime is committed in the story, the characters realize what they have done and they try to fix it. This is a great book to read and enjoy!!
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Eleven-year-old Ellie feels adrift in her first year of middle school. Her parents are worried about her finding her passion, but she's more concerned about the growing distance between herself and her best friend. Life gets a lot more interesting when Ellie's mother brings home an odd 13-year-old boy who grouses about the lawn, badgers her about the honor roll, and scolds her mom about her outfit. Ellie's startled to realize this boy is her Grandpa Melvin, a scientist who has found a way to reverse aging with help from a rare jellyfish. Ellie realizes she and her grandpa have more in common than she knew, but she's worried his breakthrough might not be as wonderful as Melvin believes it is.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (7 ):

THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH is a sweetly written story about coping with change and growing older, infused with both joy and melancholy. Author Jennifer L. Holm, known for the Babymouse and Squish graphic novel series, gets into some weighty material here: the pain of growing old and letting go, scientific discovery as a double-edged sword, and the relationships between parents and children across the decades. But Holm keeps things light and easy by focusing on the positive: Where one thing ends, after all, something new begins.

Cantankerous Melvin is an especially enjoyable character, lighting up the narrative with comparatively placid Ellie as his foil. Even with a healthy willing suspension of disbelief, the story strains plausibility: An ordinary middle schooler would be mortified to be seen with Melvin, with his odd style of dress or grouchy demeanor. Instead of tween navel-gazing, Holm uses Ellie as analytical observer who often seems the most emotionally mature of the bunch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Melvin still behaves like an old man even while he's in a teenage body. How do you think your personality might change as you grow older? Parents can share how they've changed since childhood.

  • What's the appeal of stories in which a character reverses the aging process? What other books have you read or movies have you seen where an adult becomes a kid? How does The Fourteenth Goldfish compare?

  • Would you want to turn back the clock and try to live forever or at least longer?

Book Details

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