How Many Goldfish?

Ellie's kindergarten teacher gave each kid in the class a goldfish. It wasn't long before everyone's fish died, but not Ellie's. Hers didn't pass away until she was eleven. Only then did she find out that there hadn't been one fish, but thirteen. Her mom had simply bought her another fish every time one died. Ellie's fish is gone, and she's in a new grade, at a new school. Her best friend has moved on to a different crowd and Ellie isn't really sure where she fits in anymore. When a strange teenage boy shows up at her apartment she can't help feeling that he reminds her of someone. Ellie almost can't believe it when she finds out the teenage boy is really her grandfather. He has found a way to stop getting older and start getting younger. Of course, he wants to be recorded in the history books for his scientific breakthrough. Unfortunately,  he's having trouble getting what he needs out of his lab, now that he's about fifty years younger. Plus, being a "teen" again, he's back at school so he doesn't get in trouble for truancy. Will Ellie's grandfather make a scientific name for himself? What will it be like for her to go to school with her grandfather? Is being able to stop aging something we should strive for? You will have to read this book to find out what Ellie thinks about it all.

I've read a few books by Jennifer L. Holm and enjoyed them all, so I was excited to read The Fourteenth Goldfish. I didn't know what to expect, but I fell into the story. I was able to relate to the main character, and I liked her voice. I thought it was unique for a kindergarten teacher to give kids a goldfish so they could learn about death. I had never heard of anyone doing that before. It was interesting to watch Ellie and her grandfather's relationship develop now that they were close to the same age. I can see how going back to middle school with the mind of someone close to seventy would have a big effect on all the social struggles most people are going through. I enjoyed this book because it made me think about scientific discovery and the impact that different things have on us. I would recommend it to anyone in fourth grade and up who likes realistic fiction and science. It will definitely make you think about what it means to get older.

Has anyone else read The Fourteenth Goldfish? Or have you read another book by Jennifer L. Holm? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L