Title: The Fourteenth Goldfish
Author: Jennifer L. Holm
First published August 26, 2014
208 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780375870644 (ISBN10: 0375870644)
Rating: 3.88
Overview
Have you ever wondered if science could change the world too much? Well, eleven-year-old Ellie never thought about it until a peculiar boy shows up in her life.
He’s grumpy and controlling, and Ellie can’t help but notice that he looks just like her grandfather, a scientist who’s always been obsessed with living forever. Could this boy really be her grandpa?
Has he finally found the key to eternal life? In The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L.
Holm, Ellie’s world is turned upside down as she discovers the power of science and the consequences it can have. Recommended for readers with a Lexile score of 550.
About the Author
Meet Jennifer L. Holm, a beloved children’s author whose books have made it to the NEW YORK TIMES bestseller list.
With titles like THE LION OF MARS and THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH under her belt, Jennifer has also been honored with three Newbery Honors for her novels OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, PENNY FROM HEAVEN, and TURTLE IN PARADISE. Her novel FULL OF BEANS even earned her a Scott O’Dell Award.
But Jennifer doesn’t stop there – she also collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on two popular graphic novel series. The Babymouse series, which has won the prestigious Eisner Award and sold over 3.4 million copies, and the Squish series, which is a bestseller.
In fact, SQUISH has even been adapted into an animated TV series on HBO MAX!
If you want to learn more about Jennifer and her books, check out her website.
Editoral Review
The Fourteenth Goldfish is a novel authored by Jennifer L. Holm and was first published in August 2014.
Holm is a New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including The Third Mushroom and Turtle in Paradise. The Fourteenth Goldfish is a realistic fiction novel for middle-grade readers that explores relevant scientific topics, such as aging and the quest for immortality.
The novel has received critical acclaim for its strong characterization, witty plot, and relatable themes. The Fourteenth Goldfish follows the story of 12-year-old Ellie, who develops a friendship with her grandfather, Melvin.
However, there’s one catch: Melvin has managed to reverse his aging process, and now resembles a teenager. As Ellie and Melvin embark on a journey of discovery, they encounter complex ethical issues, pertinently those regarding the science industry and the search for the secret to immortality.
Ellie’s conflict in coping with adolescence while facing the harsh reality of her grandfather’s situation, and Melvin’s insights from the past life and current experiential knowledge leave an indelible mark on readers. Holm’s writing style is straightforward and compelling, with its unique literary style making it relatable to both young and adult audiences alike.
Several themes run throughout the novel, including the scientific challenges that are affecting societies worldwide. Holm’s exploration of ethical dilemmas such as immortalizing human life entails that readers examine how science can change ethical standards as society advances.
One of the key strengths of this novel is Holm’s characterization of various characters that display individual and unique personalities. Throughout the novel, we see Ellie’s evolution as she learns to cope with adolescence and confront the meaning of age and mortality, while Melvin represents alternative people in the society who seek self-preservation over death.
The author’s consistent character development makes them believe that their lives revolve around the novel’s theme of rejuvenation and reverence for life. The novel is especially useful in teaching science education to middle-grade readers.
It introduces ideas and concepts that blend with real-life examples explaining how things work, thereby enriching readers with scientific knowledge on the human body and life expectancy. Although the novel is an engaging read, it offers a limitation in its setting description.
Holm’s provides little elucidation of her character’s surroundings; it becomes challenging to connect with the characters, setting, and perspective of the events unfolding in Ellie’s life. In conclusion, The Fourteenth Goldfish offers an excellent reading experience with its intriguing science education themes and an engaging literary style that explores pertinent ethical issues.
This book is highly recommended for young adult readers looking for a relatable and enlightening genre. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
