There's a Goldfish in My Living Room
Middle-grade just got a whole lot funnier — if you can get past the mayhem, the strangeness and a touch of the unreal.
Thirteen-year-old Joey thinks life is already tough enough. His mum makes him do all the chores around the house, his sisters drive him nuts and his FIFO working dad is never around long enough.
Then one afternoon after falling asleep watching TV, Joey wakes up to find his living room completely flooded… and a giant talking goldfish splashing around like he owns the place.
The worst part? Joey knows exactly who he is—Louis the goldfish, straight out of his little sister’s storybook.
Louis is bossy, chaotic, and invisible to everyone else. Well, almost everyone. Turns out Sienna, the girl next door, can see him too—and unlike Joey, thinks Louis is the best thing ever.
Now Joey must figure out how to get rid of a magical goldfish who’s determined to turn his life upside down. But Louis has plans of his own… and nothing is going Joey’s way.
Pages: 172
ISBN: 9781764279703
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Available in: Paperback
Reader Reviews
1 rating
Karen B.
~ Frances Dall’alba
Frances Dall’alba has crafted a delightful and meaningful series for young teens—stories that not only entertain but also teach the kinds of lessons that help shape responsible, thoughtful adults (and more tolerable teens).
In There’s a Goldfish in My Living Room, we meet Joey Mastin, a brooding teen determined to make life difficult for his mum and sisters. Between dodging chores and tormenting his siblings, Joey seems set on a path of stubborn rebellion. But when a routine trip to the market to buy books for his youngest sister, Chloe, unexpectedly brings a goldfish named Louis into their lives, chaos - and a touch of magic - ensues. Louis isn’t just any goldfish; he’s here to teach Joey that disrespect and selfishness aren’t nearly as fun as he thinks. When tragedy strikes the family, Joey faces a hard choice: change his ways or face consequences that may alter his world forever.
Dall’alba’s characters are vivid, relatable, and full of heart. Each one has a distinct voice and personality, making it easy to connect and empathize with their journeys. The story unfolds cinematically, drawing readers in as Joey learns hard but valuable lessons about empathy, family, and personal growth.
There’s a Goldfish in My Living Room is a wonderful addition to any home or school library - both educational and entertaining. I’d recommend it for readers aged 6 to 12, though even as an adult in my 50s, I thoroughly enjoyed the warmth and wisdom woven into Joey and Louis’s story.
As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
~ The Tx Lit Chic