The 14th Goldfish
What is the name of Ellie’s grandfather who discovers a way to reverse aging?
Melvin Sagarsky
Why are Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, living on a school bus instead of in a regular house?
They live on the bus because Rodeo wanted to leave their old life behind after Coyote’s mom and sisters died.
What difficult chore does Nya do every day?
She walks long distances to get water for her family.
Why does Holling Hoodhood have to spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher, Mrs. Baker?
Because half the class goes to Hebrew school and the other half goes to Catholic school, leaving Holling (a Presbyterian) alone with her.
Even though she can’t speak, what is Melody especially good at?
She has a photographic memory and is very smart.
How does Ellie first realize that the new teenage boy is really her grandfather?
He knows things only her grandfather would know, like stories about her mother, and he acts and talks exactly like Grandpa Melvin.
What special phone call does Coyote make that starts the main adventure of the story?
She calls her grandmother and learns that the park where her family’s memory box is buried will be torn down.
What tragedy happens to Salva’s friend Marial during their journey?
Marial is killed by a lion in the night.
At first, what does Holling think Mrs. Baker is trying to do to him on Wednesdays?
He thinks she is out to make his life miserable.
Why is Melody so excited to join the Whiz Kids quiz team?
Because it’s a chance to show how smart she is and prove what she can do.
What does Melvin (Grandpa) always wear that makes him stand out?
He always wears a lab coat (even when he looks like a teenager).
Why is it so important to Coyote to get back to her old home in Washington?
She wants to dig up the memory box she buried with her mom and sisters before it’s lost forever.
How does Uncle Jewiir help Salva on the walk?
He encourages Salva to survive by focusing on one step at a time and gives him strength to keep going.
How does Holling help Mrs. Baker’s husband when he is away at war?
Holling helps her by running errands, offering support, and eventually being there when she gets the news of his safe return.
What happens that makes Melody feel left out during the national quiz team trip?
The team leaves without her, saying there wasn’t room on the plane.
Why does Grandpa think science is so important? Give one example from the story.
He believes science can change the world and solve big problems. For example, his research on jellyfish led to discovering how to reverse aging.
What is in the buried memory box that Coyote wants to dig up, and why is it special to her?
The box holds special treasures and memories from her mom and sisters. It’s important because it’s one of the last connections she has to them.
What is the connection between Salva and Nya at the end of the story?
Salva grows up to help build wells in Sudan, and one of the wells he builds is in Nya’s village.
What big role does Holling get to play in the holiday play, and what embarrassing costume does he have to wear?
He plays Ariel the fairy in The Tempest and has to wear yellow tights with feathers on the rear end.
By the end of the book, what lesson do Melody’s classmates and teachers begin to learn about her?
They realize that she is just as smart and capable as anyone else, even if she communicates differently.
What does the title The 14th Goldfish mean, and how does it connect to Ellie’s pet?
Ellie had many goldfish as a child, but her parents secretly replaced them whenever one died. The 14th goldfish is the one she realized was different — it represents how life is always changing, but also continuing.
By the end of the story, how does Coyote’s relationship with Rodeo (her dad) change?
Coyote finally talks to him about their loss, and Rodeo realizes they need to face their grief together instead of always running away.
Who are the two main characters whose stories are told in the book?
Salva, a boy from Sudan in the 1980s, and Nya, a girl from Sudan in 2008.
By the end of the story, how does Holling’s relationship with Mrs. Baker change?
He realizes that Mrs. Baker truly cares about him and has been helping him grow, and they develop a strong bond of respect and friendship.
Why can’t Melody talk or walk like other kids?
She has cerebral palsy, which affects her muscles and movement.