The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm. Random House, 2014. 208 pages.

• Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12
• Recommended for: Ages 10-12

Bottom Line: A quirky, fun, “science-y” middle grades read about the meaning and importance of life; the stars of the show are 11-year-old Ellie and her grandfather who just happens to be transformed into his 13-year-old self.

Imagine your grandfather, in his 70s, suddenly being transformed into a 11-year-old and attending your middle school with you. Such is the scenario Ellie finds herself in shortly after The Fourteenth Goldfish opens. From the start of the novel, as Ellie realizes her long-lived goldfish was actually the thirteenth goldfish her mother managed to secretly swap out, Ellie is confronted with life’s big issues: aging, mortality, the importance of family, and navigating change in one’s self and the world. Throw an eccentric, super smart grandfather who’s desperately trying to reverse aging into the mix (and, thus, the “fourteenth goldfish”), and middle school becomes one wild ride. Ellie and her mother struggle to keep her grandfather’s real identity a secret while they help him steal back his research (a mere 13-year-old isn’t allowed into a secret research facility!). In the process, as in many middle grades novels, Ellie learns a lot about the individuals who make up her family, a lot about herself, and a lot about the nature of life itself–including the cost of scientific discoveries.

Holm’s prose is entertaining and poignant; Ellie’s “voice” is well done, and middle schoolers will resonate with Ellie’s humorous struggles and her scientific approach to life. The relationship between Ellie and her mother matures as they join together to figure out what in the world to do with Ellie’s grandfather. After all, he is now acting in a subordinate role to his daughter and in a peer role to his granddaughter. The 13-year-old version of her grandfather adds both levity and depth to Ellie’s experiences.

Cautions: Sexuality (mild references to “sexy-looking” costumes at a Halloween party and the phrase “knocked up” in an argument)

Overall Value: 4 (out of 5)

• Moral/worldview value: 3.75
• Artistic value: 4.5

Categories: Middle Grades, Life Issues, Science

A free copy of this book was received from netgalley for a fair review.

Cover image from amazon