Parents' Guide to

The Third Mushroom

By Amanda Nojadera, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Charming sequel reminds kids to be open to new experiences.

Book Jennifer L. Holm Contemporary Fiction 2018
The Third Mushroom Poster Image

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What's the Story?

In THE THIRD MUSHROOM, seventh grade brings lots of change for Ellie. Her best friend, Raj, asks her out on a date. Her former best friend, Brianna, suddenly wants to hang out with her again. And her grandpa, Melvin -- still in the body of a teenager after he found a way to reverse aging -- is spending more time in the library with Mrs. Barrymore instead of eating lunch with her and Raj.

When Ellie and Melvin decide to work together on a project for the county science fair, life starts to get even more interesting. They might have figured out how to stay young forever! But then Ellie's cat gets sick, making her wonder if their revolutionary discovery is the key to saving her beloved pet. With all the new scientific and social experiments happening in their lives, will Ellie and Melvin be able to handle the results?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

Fans of Book 1 in this series will love this hilarious and charming sequel. In The Fourteenth Goldfish, author Jennifer L. Holm once again brilliantly packs engaging, kid-friendly tidbits about influential scientists with tons of relatable middle school issues such as puberty and awkward first dates. Readers, even those who haven't read The Fourteenth Goldfish, will love Ellie and Melvin's shared passion for science and appreciate how they learn to embrace the changes in their lives. Holm delicately depicts the loss of a beloved pet as well as Melvin's loneliness, before offering a satisfying and heartwarming conclusion that will leave readers smiling.

Change can be scary and often unpredictable, especially in middle school, but The Third Mushroom shows kids that trying new things can lead to unexpected happiness.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Third Mushroom explores the transition to middle school. Why do you think there are so many books about this? Have you found any that relate to your own experience?

  • Melvin trusts books over the internet for research because he thinks that the internet is full of "false information." Do you agree? Do you know how to find reliable reference and research resources online?

  • How do the characters demonstrate curiosity? Why is that an important characteristic?

Book Details

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