I haven't read 14 fishes but that didn't stop me from enjoying this story. Jennifer Holm writes great characters & in this book I was charmed by Elle & her grandpa Melvin who is stuck in the body of a 14 year old.

He & Ellie take on the science fair as a cover for trying to discover how some regenerative tissue has been growing --- but things end up taking a turn for the unexpected as they so often do.

There is some teen attempts at romance in the book - but they refreshingly lead to the discovery that maybe some folks are meant to be friends.
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Seventh grader Ellie has an unusual predicament -- her scientist grandfather has experimented on himself to reverse aging and is now in the body of a 14-year-old. But maybe she can make lemonade out of this lemon by getting her grandfather to be her lab partner for her middle school's big science fair. What will they discover next with their latest experiment?

This was an interesting read. It is the sequel to another book, which I did not read, and it is clear that Holm means to continue with this series, as several things are left a little up in the air. That being said, this book stands alone pretty well. While technically this book is science fiction with the experiments being described, but overall it reads like a realistic novel about navigating middle school.

The characters are likable, even if they are a little one-note and goofy at times. The relationships between them are great, especially the sweet bond between grandfather and granddaughter. I also like that Holm explores romantic relationships but allows the middle schoolers to end up realizing friendship is sometimes preferable.

The book reads quickly and has many humorous moments. It also has many touching scenes, and some heartbreaking ones like when Ellie's cat dies. I was in tears over that section. There is a moral regarding the third mushroom as well, which I thought was a practical and important lesson for kids without being didactic. ( )

In this sequel to "The Fourteenth Goldfish" Ellie and her grandfather, Melvin, (who is about 14 years old - see first book for why) are studying another scientific phenomenon: regeneration. Melvin continues to live with a degree of sorrow over the death of his wife years earlier, and Ellie is contemplating making her best friend, Raj, into a boyfriend. In its quick-reading light-hearted manner, it looks once again at the scientific process, but also at relationships.
Fun, and with some nice points to make as well. ( )

When Ellie's grandpa Melvin comes back to town, the two are up to more antics and comedic capers in this captivating and intriguing follow-up to The Fourteenth Goldfish . Melvin is angsty and going through "the puberty" while Ellie is trying to define the terms of her relationships with her new and former best friends. This sequel is a humorous but real look at relationships, friendships, and surviving middle school. ( )

This was the perfect sequel. Melvin disappeared for a year. He had to get used to being a teenager again, since the age 77 was so a few weeks ago. But now he is back in Ellies and her mother’s life. Ellie has a new stepdad and a new cat, and many other new things in her life that she can not wait to tell gramps about. But of course Melvin my be 77, but since he looks 14 he has to be in school. Ellie convinces Melvin they should team up for the Science fair. He does have two PhDs after all. This time they are going to experiment with a new sample grandpa found out on his travels. He is sure it is an axolotl but with a few extra legs. Science is sure to help them find out.

This book is full of interesting science phenomenon, but it is the story of the family that makes it a stand out series. You really should read The 14th Goldfish first, and you will be sucked into this weird and crazy family dynamic. A grouchy old man turned grouchy teenager, who does what science tells you never to do and experiments on himself is Melvin. Then there is Elli who is as sweet as the day is long. Even when she is not sure if she should have a best friend or a boyfriend. It’s their dynamic together that will get every reader wishing Ellie was their sister and Melvin was their grandfather.

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