How Many Goldfish?

Ellie's kindergarten teacher gave each kid in the class a goldfish. It wasn't long before everyone's fish died, but not Ellie's. Hers didn't pass away until she was eleven. Only then did she find out that there hadn't been one fish, but thirteen. Her mom had simply bought her another fish every time one died. Ellie's fish is gone, and she's in a new grade, at a new school. Her best friend has moved on to a different crowd and Ellie isn't really sure where she fits in anymore. When a strange teenage boy shows up at her apartment she can't help feeling that he reminds her of someone. Ellie almost can't believe it when she finds out the teenage boy is really her grandfather. He has found a way to stop getting older and start getting younger. Of course, he wants to be recorded in the history books for his scientific breakthrough. Unfortunately,  he's having trouble getting what he needs out of his lab, now that he's about fifty years younger. Plus, being a "teen" again, he's back at school so he doesn't get in trouble for truancy. Will Ellie's grandfather make a scientific name for himself? What will it be like for her to go to school with her grandfather? Is being able to stop aging something we should strive for? You will have to read this book to find out what Ellie thinks about it all.

I've read a few books by Jennifer L. Holm and enjoyed them all, so I was excited to read The Fourteenth Goldfish. I didn't know what to expect, but I fell into the story. I was able to relate to the main character, and I liked her voice. I thought it was unique for a kindergarten teacher to give kids a goldfish so they could learn about death. I had never heard of anyone doing that before. It was interesting to watch Ellie and her grandfather's relationship develop now that they were close to the same age. I can see how going back to middle school with the mind of someone close to seventy would have a big effect on all the social struggles most people are going through. I enjoyed this book because it made me think about scientific discovery and the impact that different things have on us. I would recommend it to anyone in fourth grade and up who likes realistic fiction and science. It will definitely make you think about what it means to get older.

Has anyone else read The Fourteenth Goldfish? Or have you read another book by Jennifer L. Holm? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Something's Fishy...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week, we'll be swimming with goldfish. Tune in Friday to find out how the answer ties into Lizzy's book review. See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

Gold flecks tip scales; fins fly 'round, swishing tails. Under water, in a dome, can be a very fishy home. Hiding in a castle keep, laying low, but not too deep. Bubble eyes watch you; behind glass, not much to do.

What am I referring to? Answer: Goldfish!

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 

Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations
Available in all e-book formats

BUY THE BOOKS!

Amazon

B & N

Indie Bound

Characters having a book club :)

Monday's Riddle: Gold Tipped Scales...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? They are flashy! ; ) ~ F

Gold flecks tip scales; fins fly 'round, swishing tails. Under water, in a dome, can be a very fishy home. Hiding in a castle keep, laying low, but not too deep. Bubble eyes watch you; behind glass, not much to do.

What am I referring to? Stop by Wednesday for the answer!

I gave you a clue!

BUY THE BUNDLE OF MYSTERY!

Amazon

B & N

Indie Bound

E-book now available!

A BUNDLE OF MYSTERY!

Keep someone you love in suspense. 

Give them a bundle of mystery! 

BUY THE BOOKS!
Amazon
B & N
Indie Bound

DMS CASE FILE #1: The Begonia House

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow
Publish date: 12/1/15
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Illustrator: Roman Muradov
Ages: 8 and up
Grade Level: 3-6
Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book, Library Bound

Read the reviews
Preview a chapter

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED.

The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Can they piece together the puzzle before it's too late? Or will whatever's causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first?

DMS CASE FILE #2: The Talking Library

Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library

Publish date: 10/23/17

Publisher: Willow Press

Illustrator: David SanAngelo

Ages: 8 and up
Grade level: 3-6
Available: Hardcover, E-book

Read the reviews
Preview a chapter

ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE.

Fairday Morrow had no clue that moving from Manhattan to the small town of Ashpot, Connecticut, would lead to an unsolved mystery. Her parents’ dream of renovating a crumbling Victorian, called the Begonia House, into a bed and breakfast had seemed like treachery at the time. But Fairday found out that her new house kept secrets, and once inside its twisted front gates, anything was possible. When mysterious notes start showing up warning that a librarian is in trouble and a bookworm is eating words, Fairday thinks the Begonia House has more skeletons in its closets. What happens to stories when their words get eaten?

Feeling Grateful!

We'll be taking time out this week to celebrate our feelings of gratitude with family and friends. There is so much to be thankful for, and life is amazing. Happy Thanksgiving! We'll see you all around the book block. ~ DMS

Here's an oldie but goodie. ; )

I will always make you smile- if only for a little while. A fleeting word that holds you warm, keeps your mind from any harm. So much of me I have to give- with no thing there, only love to live. The easiest feeling that you can think- though hard at times when thoughts do sink. Hold me close, teach me near- give me to those you hold so dear. In a time of need, when you're feeling low, remember me in the worlds you grow.  

Click here for the answer! 

Here are some fun and inspirational things to do while you're celebrating this week!

Brain hungry for words? Mind need to feed? 

Try some Bookworm Stew. You never know what's in the brew. 

Want to have story scenes come to life in your mind's eye? 

Tune into our index of book reviews and let your imagination play. 

Fingers itching to draw something?

Pick up a pencil and let loose. Enter Fairday's drawing contest for a chance to win an authentic DMS pack filled with secrets. 






Still want more? Click here to be whisked away...

Surprise someone you love with a bundle of mystery!

DMS CASE FILE #1: The Begonia House

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow
Publish date: 12/1/15
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Illustrator: Roman Muradov
Ages: 9-12
Grade Level: 4-7
Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book, Library Bound

Read the reviews
Preview a chapter

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED.

The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Can they piece together the puzzle before it's too late? Or will whatever's causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first?

DMS CASE FILE #2: The Talking Library

Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library

Publish date: 10/23/17

Publisher: Willow Press

Illustrator: David SanAngelo

Age: 9-12
Grade level: 3-6
Available: Hardcover

Read the reviews
Preview a chapter

ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE.

Fairday Morrow had no clue that moving from Manhattan to the small town of Ashpot, Connecticut, would lead to an unsolved mystery. Her parents’ dream of renovating a crumbling Victorian, called the Begonia House, into a bed and breakfast had seemed like treachery at the time. But Fairday found out that her new house kept secrets, and once inside its twisted front gates, anything was possible. When mysterious notes start showing up warning that a librarian is in trouble and a bookworm is eating words, Fairday thinks the Begonia House has more skeletons in its closets. What happens to stories when their words get eaten?