The Fourteenth Goldfish

Ages 8 to 12 

Believe in the possible…with this “warm, witty, and wise” New York Times bestselling novel from three-time Newbery Honor winner Jennifer L. Holm. A perfect read about a child’s relationship with her grandfather!

Galileo. Newton. Salk. Oppenheimer.

Science can change the world…but can it go too far?

Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish.

Then one day a strange boy shows up. He’s bossy. He’s cranky. And weirdly enough…he looks a lot like Ellie’s grandfather, a scientist who’s always been slightly obsessed with immortality.

Could this pimply boy really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth?

With a lighthearted touch and plenty of humor, Jennifer Holm celebrates the wonder of science and explores fascinating questions about life and death, family and friendship, immortality…and possibility.


“Warm, witty and wise”—The New York Times

“Awesomely strange and startlingly true-to-life. It makes you wonder what’s possible.”—Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me