THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH, BY JENNIFER L. HOLM

I really wanted to like this book. The person who recommended it to me is a very dear friend, and a wonderful soul. I tried so hard...

This is a children's book. I don't agree with it, but some people say allowances have to be made for that. In any case, if you decide to read it, keep that in mind.

Synopsis: Ellie is an 11 year-old girl with artistic parents who is currently suffering a break-up from her best friend, and doesn't like the change. One day, her grandfather, Melvin, appears at her house as a 13 year-old boy, announcing he's discovered the cure for aging. As Ellie and her mother adapt to their new situation, significant and deep changes are wrought in all their lives.

Overall enjoyment: Meh. I tried, I really did. And I suppose I would have liked it less if I hadn't tried.

Plot: The idea is really interesting, but it's poorly executed. There's no development, no climax, and everything is a bit too obvious. The chapters are very disconnected from each other.

Characters: They don't feel like people at all, they're walking clichés. Ellie is the only one with a bit of life in her; I'll admit she's very well constructed. But all the others are stereotypes: the grumpy old man, the artsy-hipster mom, the goth kid...

World/setting: Again, it's like she did the bare minimum. It doesn't play a big part on the story, though.

Writing style: A bit sloppy. The book feels like a first draft. It feels unfinished, and, up to a point, that's what bothers me the most. I kept thinking "this could be such a good book with a bit of rewriting and editing!" The first chapter is really good, sweet and interesting, with a bit of humor. The rest is just a bunch of disjointed phrases thrown together. And it really bothered me how obvious things were. I don't mean the suspense of the story, but the characters' feelings and motivations; she kept spelling them out all the time. It may be a children's book, but kids aren't stupid. They're perfectly capable of understanding those things, you don't have to explain that to them.

Representation: She didn't specify anybody's ethnicity. There was a kid named Raj, with a brother named Andalos, but she doesn't even describe them. And everyone is cis, straight and able-bodied.

Political correctness: This book was made to get kids interested in science, so that's a plus. It's even more specifically addressed at girls, with a girl as a main character, so that's a double plus. I just wish it had been better written. Something I enjoyed immensely, though, was the fact that she didn't try to force romance onto the kids. Ellie meets a boy, and they become friends, but not a couple. I can't tell you how satisfying that was. And how uncomfortable I was while reading, sure that, despite the fact that this is an 11 year-old girl, they would end up kissing, or something.

This one was not entirely bad, just disappointing. Especially after it started off so strong.

Up next: Yes Please, by Amy Poehler

4.5 stars. 

This one is a short, but gorgeous book about growing up, about science, about family, and a bit about goldfish.

I absolutely loved the book, though I have rated it 4.5 and not 5 for one reason: The Grandfather, I know, I know he is technically an adult, but looks like a teenager now and is under the care of his daughter. He had good times (like when he taught Ellie science, or tried to steal that jellyfish) but he also had times that I just hated him. For how he acted with his daughter, how he embarrassed her a few times, how he never seemed happy with her choices (she picked theatre, while he wanted her to get PhDs). I wish he could just be happy for her, see that she is happy, that she has a good life, with a great boyfriend.

I loved the premise. Grandfather finds a cure for old age, and turns in a teenager. Things happen and he is now under the care of his daughter. I really liked that, the thought that a jellyfish might hold the answers to old age and fountain of youth. And I also liked the idea of someone old turning back to a teenager. Especially in this age with all the things that are so new and that older people don't always know or use.

I loved Ellie, she was a wonderful character and I just loved seeing her growing up, from a kid who didn't know what she liked, who was wondering if she was at the wrong place (both her parents love theatre, she not so much), to a kid who knew she loves science, that she takes after her Grandfather, that she has a place now. 
She loses one friend, but luckily finds a new one. One who doesn't ditch her for other things. 

I loved the ending (my favourites: Mom + Ben, the slippers (read and you find out their meaning)). 

I would truly recommend this book to everyone. Me? I will be buying this one when it comes out in paperback, since I just got to have this on my bookshelves. :)

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/