The 14th Goldfish: A book review by Pixelbeard the Librarian

The Fourteenth Goldfish by:
Jennifer L. Holm
190 pg.
Book level- 4.1
Ages 8-12
Jennifer L. Holm is a critically acclaimed author and three-time Newbery Honoree for her books Our Only May Amelia (1999), Penny from Heaven (2007), and Turtle in Paradise (2010). Her most popular series, and the one that your kiddo has probably checked out from the library more times than you can count is the Babymouse series of graphic novels.
The word that I think most aptly fits this novel is natural. The plot and prose just flow along comfortably and swiftly like a strong river current, steady and consistent until the end. It's funny, heartwarming, and real. The characters are all very easy to relate to. They work very well together. You believe that these people are family.
The plot begins when Ellie's mom calls her from the county jail. It appears that her Grandpa has been arrested. That night Ellie's mom returns with what appears to be a 13-14 year old boy. That teenage boy is Melvin and it turns out that Melvin is Ellie's Grandpa. Melvin is a highly respected scientist who has discovered a way to reverse the aging process. He has tested it on himself and now is physically a teenager. Ellie finds a kindred spirit in her grandpa and begins to find a passion for observation and science because of their interactions. Outside of the funny scientific premise, the scenes that have Ellie and Melvin bonding are the sweetest moments in the book. They interact like old friends who are rediscovering each other after a long absence.
I honestly can't recommend this book enough. Kids should find it funny and easy to read. Teachers should enjoy this book because it opens up a flood of conversation topics. Themes include topics such as scientific ethics. The idea that just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should. Holm compares and contrasts Robert Oppenheimer and Jonas Salk. Both had scientific achievements that changed the course of history. Salk being famous for the Polio vaccine and Oppenheimer for the atomic bomb. While both saved millions of lives, Oppenheimer is just as often cursed for his creation as he is recognized for it. Sure, millions of lives were saved, but at the cost of hundreds of thousands of Japanese, and afterwards the nuclear arms race has never ceased. So, while Melvin's discovery of an age reversing miracle vaccine, the question of SHOULD he release it looms over the giddiness that he and Ellie feel.
This book is also about finding your passion in life. Ellie has lost her best friend Brianna to a volleyball obsession. As the girls enter middle school, their life long friendship seeming comes to a halt as Brianna is constantly involved with Volleyball and Ellie simply doesn't feel it. There is a similar divide between Ellie and her mother. Both her parents are theater professionals, but Ellie doesn't feel the love or passion for drama that they do.
Finally, this book is about moving forward. Life always moves forward, it's up to you to move along with it. Ellie, Melvin, and Ellie's mom all have situations in their life that have become stagnant. Ellie has a hard time making new friends in middle school. Melvin constantly complains about things today and hasn't changed anything in his apartment since the mid 1970's and still hasn't moved anything his deceased wife has left. Ellie's mom has hesitated from marrying her boyfriend Ben (She and Ellie's dad are divorced, but friendly) because she's afraid of making another mistake.
Watch for this one on the 2014 Newbery list. I strongly encourage you all to pick up this book, recommend it to your children or a teacher. You won't regret it.