Have you ever wanted to go back and redo life, especially as a middle school student? So many of us would, and Ellie and her grandfather realize so much about life in the Virginia Readers Choice book The Fourteenth Goldfish. (Affiliate links provided to fund book purchases.)
Book Summary
Ellie received a goldfish at the end of her kindergarten year, and though many of her friends' goldfish have died, Ellie's continues to live on. What she soon finds out is that her mother has been buying her a new goldfish every time hers dies, and they are going on the 14th goldfish. One day her mother gets a call to come pick her father up and take him home. Ellie is shocked when she sees a young 12 year-old boy at the door. Her grandfather, a scientist, has found a jellyfish that has made him young again.As her sixth grade year begins, she realizes friends will change, and so will circumstances. Since her grandfather has been kicked out of the lab where he works, she and her new friend Raj try different ways to get him back in and get the jellyfish. What she learns from this experience is more than just ways to get something back but about herself and who she wants to be.
Classroom Application
Students will really enjoy this book! I have to say that I laughed out loud through parts of it and can see students doing the same. I also love how it helps children see how people overcame everything to create something that would change the world. And the message is perfect for young students today.
At the end is a paper written by Ellie. This serves as a perfect model for helping students who need to write a research report on a famous person.
Overall, this book is probably one of my favorite Virginia Readers Choice books. You will have to check it out!
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