The Summer I Shrank My Grandmother

by Elvira Woodruff

Aspiring scientist Nelly Brown mixes up a chemical formula to make her grandmother young again, but when it reduces the seventy-year-old into an infant, Nelly recruits her cousin Ben to help reverse the process

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Juvenile

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Elvira Woodruff is an American children's author known for blending fantasy and history in her stories. Born in Somerville, New Jersey, she studied English literature at Adelphi and Boston University. Before becoming a writer, she worked a variety of jobs and later found inspiration while working as a librarian in Easton, Pennsylvania. Woodruff has published numerous children's books, including George Washington's Socks, The Memory Coat, and Dear Levi. Her work has been praised for its engaging storytelling and historical depth. Throughout her career, she has created imaginative, heartfelt stories that continue to captivate young readers.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Workmanlike, but fun enough, with a modicum of thoughtfulness. Illustrations add to the appeal... I particularly liked details, such as the kid's t-shirt that had the motto "Algae Growers Unite: divide and conquer!"

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read this book as an adult, but growing up I loved this book!

[Linda Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book caught my eye and so I picked it up intending to just read the blurb. The next thing I know I’ had read a few pages. I had to have this book, read it and send it to my grandsons ages 10 and 8. I know they will laugh as much as I did.

The storyline is simple and hilarious. Young Nelly is an aspiring scientist who loves her grandmother so much she wants her to be around for a long time. Finding an old chemistry set sets in motion a most humorous story of child antics and relationships.

The story flows well with the right amount of action and descriptions to keep young readers engaged. The charcoal like drawings by Katherine Coville are superb and adds a visual layer to the story. The Summer I shrank My Grandmother stirs the imagination regardless of age. It’s definitely a laugh out loud kind of book!

Note: The book is out of print so if you happen upon one… well, grab it!

Appropriate for children 8-12 and, of course, grandmothers

A hilarious quick read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lilly J · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad plot, odd. Don't even bother.

[Mariangela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child

[Brittany Jerlat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a kid.

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was simply adorable and well written. I definitely felt Nelly's love for her grandma through the book throughout all the stages Emma's life went through❤ There's nothing like the love between a grandma and her grandkids ❤ A quick yet moving story❤

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. Makes you appreciative of the (older) people in your life-wrinkles and all 😃.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dashiell and I read this book together. He enjoyed it so much that he was begging to read it outside of bedtime. It was a cute little story with a great message.

[Aishwarya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelly Brown is at her grandma’s house for the summer when she discovers a magic set that can make any wish come true! She decides to make her grandmother younger than she is right now. She mixes the magic potion in her grandmother’s shampoo bottle and soon her grandmother got younger but to Nelly’s surprise she keeps getting younger and younger, day by day, hour by hour, until she is a newborn baby! Can she stop her from disappearing? Her grandmother’s life is in her hands and she needs to do something! This book has a very fast moving flow to it and it feels like you are actually in the book and in the character’s shoes! You wouldn’t be able to put the book down because you will feel like time is running out. I would recommend this book to new middle school students who really want to read a good book.

[Calvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book, The summer I shrank my grandmother by Elvira Woodruff is about a 10 year old scientist, Nelly who spends the summer with her grandmother, Emma Brown at a cottage by the beach while her parents are out on a business trip. Then her cousin ben shows up after visiting his mom. The audience would appreciate it because it shows how it would feel about shrinking your grandmother as a 10 year old.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found in a stack of kid books at my mother-in-law's house, and needed a new chapter book to read to my daughter. She really got into it and wanted to know what happened next! I appreciated that Nelly was a smart, aspiring scientist (not a Disney princess heroine) but I thought she should have been able to solve the problem herself without a phone call. But my daughter was on the edge of her seat the whole team and kept excitedly interjecting little comments, which is what counts.

[mansha kakar · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY NICE BOOK!!!

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this looks stupid but I liked it

[Vanessa]

This book was really funny and sweet. I think I read it in 6th Grade.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good chapter book for little kids

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Dosha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intresting too

[Natalie]

This was fine - I released it to her. Cute story :-)

[Erikka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great memory of childhood. I read this so many times. And before I'd heard of Benjamin Button, which it is quite similar to.

[Melissa Giles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a good book. It was interesting and fun to read. I got in to it really fast and enjoyed it almost the whole time.

[J Beazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure! Especially fun as a read aloud.

[Smog1997 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book, with a good storyline , which I read multiple times when I was younger.

[Elysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! So funny. Read it if you love a good laugh but enjoy suspense.