MMGM: Whimsy, Vocabulary, and Goldfish: Why Growing Home is the Perfect Family Read-Aloud

 

As an unofficial champion of underdogs, some of my favorite students have been the ones no one else quite knew what to do with. A little prickly. A little blunt. The kids who always let you know exactly where you stood.

Those personalities often end up cast as the antagonists in children's books, where cheerful, agreeable characters tend to take center stage. That's one reason I loved Growing Home by Beth Ferry and the Fan Brothers. Toasty is prickly—but he's also wonderfully human, funny, and surprisingly lovable.

Summary

Inside Number 3 Ramshorn Dive, you’ll find the Tupper Family, Ivy the houseplant, Arthur the spider, Ollie the violet, and a goldfish named Toasty. Separately, these ordinary beings are just that—ordinary. Ah, but together, all in one place, something extraordinary is about to happen. Something with a hint of magic, a smidge of danger, and lots and lots of cheese puffs. Something that will change the lives of the inhabitants of Number 3 Ramshorn Drive forever. 

Here is a tenderhearted, unforgettable, modern-day children’s fable from beloved New York Times bestselling author Beth Ferry, with illustrations from the boldly innovative Terry and Eric Fan. (from the jacket copy)

 

Why This Story Stays With Me:

 1.    The characters! You wouldn’t think you could get attached to an ivy plant or a goldfish, but this book proved me wrong. I loved Ivy’s super perkiness and Toasty grouchiness, but each animal or plant’s personality was so clear, distinct, and memorable. 

 
2.    A large scoop of whimsy! Of course, in a book about talking plants and animals, you would expect nothing less, but even the writing style doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes it especially enjoyable as a family read-aloud.

 
3. Vocabulary, science, and little nuggets of history (like the history of goldfish) are woven naturally into the story without ever interrupting it. Curious kids will come away having learned something almost by accident. 

“It was octagonal. A word that’s hard to say, but not hard to understand. A word that feels antique but is not. Octagonal means eight-sided. Think stop sign. Or octopus.” p. 6

4.    Lovely illustrations throughout the book by the Fan Brothers. I know this is something that publishers are including more in middle grade, and I can see the pictures appealing to young readers just getting their sea legs in middle grade.

  
5.    A delightful mystery/adventure where everyone contributes. There were just so many fun and delightful moments as the flora and fauna came together to save Toasty. It left me cheering for every member of this unlikely team and reminded me how every person's unique strengths matter. 

Reading Guide Reading Level: Approximately Grade 4, though I think the story will appeal most to children in grades 1–4 as a family read-aloud or independent read for confident readers. This would pair beautifully with nature studies, botany, insects, birds, goldfish, vocabulary study, or even discussions about empathy, teamwork, and seeing beyond first impressions. Content Notes: Mild peril and suspense, but nothing that felt frightening for the intended age group.

Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

   Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 🦴🦴🦴

No dogs! And I don’t like bugs or spiders. But I think I’d like cheese puffs like Toasty. He’s a little like me. Prickly on the outside, but with a big heart. 

 

 

I didn't get Cheese Puffs for my Gotcha Day (yesterday), but
I did get this yummy birthday cookie.

Now I am six, and like A.A. Milne, I think I will stay six "furever and ever."

 

 

Notes from the Front Porch:

What kind of characters would you like to see more in middle grade?

 Have you read any cozy fantasies lately?

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

  

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