Children’s Book Review: “The Fourteenth Goldfish” By Jennifer Holm

Eleven-year-old Ellie and her mom live a calm, quiet, life in a tiny house in San Francisco. All that dramatically changes when her new babysitter turns out to be Melvin, her own grandfather, who actually discovers a way to turn back time through consuming a rare jellyfish. Now grandpa has turned himself into a thirteen-year-old boy!

Author Jennifer Holm injects humor into The Fourteenth Goldfish, showing how Melvin copes with other students, teachers, and the lunchroom. Melvin also has problems being the kid under the roof of his adult daughter. Because Melvin is a scientist, Ellie is introduced to the mega stars in science that include Einstein, Madame Curie, Darwin, Salk, Pasteur  and Oppenheimer. Ellie discovers that she is a scientist, too. She uses her keen observations to set the world — and her family — back into proper order.

Random House, New York, (2014).  Reviewed by Lillian Hecker, Children’s Services Librarian. For  ages 8 and up.