The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm

Strange things are going on in Ellie's life.  She misses fifth grade, her best friend has taken up sports and her goldfish died.  What amazes her is that her goldfish lived for so long when all the others died.  Her mother confesses that there were thirteen goldfish.  She kept buying a new one each time one passed away.  Death is part of life, but Ellie's mom was trying to protect her.  What she should have protected her from was this new relative she brought home late one evening...

Random House Children's Books and Net Galley allowed me to read and review this book (thank you).  It will be published August 26th. Ms. Holm is a co-creator of the Babymouse series, so I expected this story to be good, too.  It is; it's fantasy with a message.

When she finally looks this young man over that Mom brought home, she knows he looks familiar.  It takes a bit to dawn on her that he's actually her grandfather.  It seems he's found the secret ingredient to reverse his age.  She's amazed and embarrassed both.  How could he do that?  And how could he now being to school with her???

What she finds is that she has a natural instinct for science.  She learns a lot from her grandfather about big moments in history from scientific inventions.  She also does some of her own research and sees how many have died as a result of bombs and the like.  He wants to change the world and be recognized for his skills.  She's not sure that's a good idea.

I like the irreverent touch Grandpa has, how Ellie blossoms, and how they resolve their differences.  Ellie's life is better for the experience.  This isn't the last adventure either.  The end of the book offers a new opportunity for exploration and creation.

Ms. Holm will make you smile and you'll learn a few things on the way, too.  Wonder what Grandpa will discover next...