The Thing About Jellyfish

The Thing about Jellyfish, is a novel by Ali Benjamin. This book shows a relationship between two friends that always stick together, but while this book goes on they go on separate paths. A quote that goes through this book is: “Sometimes things just happen,” but Suzy doesn’t want to look at it this way, especially after the tragic that happened. This book will target someone who likes mysteries and The Thing about Jellyfish is a book with a mystery that you would really want to know more about.
Suzy and Franny are best friends. There’s a popular girl named, Aubrey that Franny never wants to be like: “Shoot me if I ever become like that. Send me a signal… a secret message. Make it big.” As Franny once said to Suzy. One day Franny did become like Aubrey and Suzy tried to fix it and make that “secret message,” but it didn’t work. Franny got new best friends and is becoming the opposite of the way she really is. Suzy grows and learns new thing every day and going from not talking to talking again little by little. That’s the way the author develops Suzy’s character. Franny grows somewhat negatively and goes on opposite roads with Suzy: ”Why do you have to be so weird ?” Franny hisses. ”Your just.So.Weird.” Franny says, and you turn around and storm out of the cafeteria and the other girls follow.” .It’s always important to keep your close friends by your side, because friends come and go, but if you hold on tight they’ll stay with you.
The author shows how friends are important to stay by, for an example, Suzy and Franny are good friends, but they don’t go down the same paths. Franny goes down a road with her new friends and Suzy goes down a road with learning and discovering out the tragic drowning of her best friend that is not by her side anymore. The message that the author is trying to shout out is, to always keep your true friends by your side and don’t let go.
This book is written in an interesting way, that the author back flashes in her writing, that it’s like Suzy is talking with Franny even though she’s not directly there, and the author is doing it like a memory is coming to Suzy’s brain. I really like the way Ali Benjamin writes this book, and how the book is structured. The book is an easy read and it’s a great story as well to how it’s written. “Tiny species, move through an invisible field, the way a pair of boots moves through mud, getting heavier as they go.” This imagery is showing that, things drift away and it’s hard to handle.
The Thing about Jellyfish, is a great read. What is good about this book is the way the characters grow and it shows lots of character development and it’s a great thing. The way Suzy grew throughout the book was amazing. She went from not talking to talking step-by-step and showing her inner voice. This book is a great mystery that needs to be answered and is an amazing book to read and to enjoy!
“Sometimes when we feel most alone, the world decides to open up in magical ways.”-Ali Benjamin.

When I first started the book I had a hard time "getting into it" but then I read it all in one day. I connected with the story due to incidents that happened in my life, and it really pulled me in. It is beautifully written.

This book is an excellent read for children ages 10 and up. It shows how a girl grieve the lost of her best friend and how she learns to cope. It's wonderful to teach children to do research on any subject they can be interested. I love the book!!!

I loved this book. So much so that I am compelled to write a review. For full disclosure, I will state that I am a friend (and running partner) of the author and that my review and feelings about the book have nothing to do with the name of the science teacher, even though she is obviously very bright and astoundingly astute about her students. I am enthralled by the sensitive and knowledgable depiction of children, their behavior, their humor, and their thought processes by authors such as John Irving in A Prayer for Owen Meaney and A Widow for One Year and Jonathan Safran Foer in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (three of my favorite novels). In my mind, Ali Benjamin is grouped with these two authors for The Thing about Jellyfish. Her depiction of Suzy's humor, sensitivity, relationship to her peers and the adults in her world, intellect, and need to use science to explain what is ultimately unexplainable shows a remarkable insight into the adolescent mind. This is not just a book for adolescents, but for all those who are part of their lives. On top of that, it is a good read! Did I mention that I REALLY loved this book.

I bought this for my 5th grader, a good reader, 10 years old. He kept putting it down and not reading it. I remember he gravitated toward the 'Spirit Animal' series and 'Kingdom Keepers' series books (he read them all last year) because they were exciting. He also just finished FLUSH by Carl Haissan. He said the book "the thing about jellyfish" was slow, negative and too depressing." If your child is a good reader and likes fast paced adventurous books, you may want to re-think purchasing this book. I also just bought him the classic "Where the Red Fern Grows."

Your heart will break and be mended a dozen times in this book, and in the end, a great deal of love and compassion will come pouring forth. Best book I've read for middle grade/young adult in awhile.

An emotionally intense story is told here. This is a juvenile, but it certainly isn't a typical one. It's a multilevel novel aimed a bit more at girls but should affect guys too. The basic theme has to do with dealing with the death of a best friend and schoolmate. However, there's a lot more. Suzy is convinced that her friend was stung by a jellyfish and sets out to prove her theory. She's obviously a very bright student and is being well taught how to carry out a scientific project.

Suzy is a very complex character and one the reader can love. The novel is strongly educational while entertaining. Suzy tells her story in the first person.

There's a lot here also for parents who choose to also read the book. This is a sensitive masterpiece that I can recommend to child and parent alike.

The Thing About Jellyfish is a touching tale about a young girl whose best (and only) friend drowns while on holiday. As the story progresses we discover that Suzy’s grief is much more than just the loss of her friend, but frustration at something happening without apparent reason, and regret about the things that took place between them before her friend died. Such a lot for a young soul to carry. I finished this last night, but I’m still feeling emotional about it. I’m so pleased I discovered this book.

I feel like I’ve just had a life changing lesson in jellyfish, amongst other important things, from a very smart 12 year old. I liked her outlook on life, the world and the people around her. I admired her strength and confidence, despite not being popular at school. There was something special within her that I wish I’d had when I was being bullied at school. Perhaps I did have it, but didn’t realise it at the time. I had very frizzy hair too, and I wanted to tell her, it’s okay Frizz Ease and hair straighteners will become your best friends once you’re a little older. You can control the frizz.

I suspected this book was going to make me cry before I even started it, I just didn't realise I'd need a whole box of tissues. What a beautiful, delightful, yet emotional tale.

Although I enjoy religious and spiritual books, I loved how this had the same emotional impact on me without the religious aspect. I was surprised how learning scientific facts about jellyfish, with a bit of philosophical thought thrown in, could be so emotional and thought provoking.

This is like Stephen King’s Carrie for kids!

The Thing About Jellyfish is a great story for older children, young teenagers, and it seems this 37 year old girl very much enjoyed it too.

I would like to thank the publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not feel this was appropriate for my 11 year old - it is rated for grades 4-7,,, I would suggest high school. I am not sure why homosexuality needed to be included in this book,,,, and I certainly did not appreciate my daughter being introduced to it here. I found this to be a very dark book,,, while the story is good about understanding grief - death and divorce - I just would feel it to be more appropriate for older audiences.

"The Thing About Jellyfish" is a meditative journey about the grief of young, 12-year-old girl named Suzy. In the novel, Suzy and Franny were once close, growing apart upon entering junior high. Franny began to spend time with a new crowd of friends and Suzy, well, Suzy was left to herself and the thoughts in her own head. After Franny dies in a drowning accident, Suzy refuses to speak, burrowing further and further into herself, feeling guilty for how their friendship ended.

On her search to learn more about Franny's death - perhaps it was related to a jellyfish bite? - the reader travels with Suzy on a journey of self-discovery, filled with expansive facts about jellyfish and musings on the world around her.

This young adult book maintains a hopeful tone throughout, with some humor, and with evident growth on Suzy's part. It tackles the challenges of growing up, discovering your own identity, and learning more about the world around you. It's an imaginative book, and age-appropriate for middle-school children.

While I enjoyed it, I couldn't fully get invested into the novel, though it was well-written. I couldn't connect with the young narrator and her grief, which is odd in a book about grief.

I'm attending a conference next month for people who are interested in writing fiction for middle grade readers, and this book was one of three that will be discussed in a workshop I've signed up for. It was immediately apparent why this book is one that we will be dissecting. The writing is beautiful, and the author nails the voice of a seventh grader perfectly. Even though it has been many years since I've been in middle school myself, this book brings back the feelings of doubt and insecurity that are so pervasive during those years. As the parent of a young adult with Asperger's Syndrome, I had to wonder if Suzy (although never mentioned in the book) was also on the spectrum. I say this because she has an amazing memory for facts and figures and seems to develop an obsession with jellyfish, but this is paired with her complete lack of awareness of social cues and acceptable lunch discussion topics. I scanned through many reviews of the book, but didn't see anything to suggest that the author intended for Suzy to have Asperger's. The feeling that she did however, kept returning to me in various scenes throughout the book--especially when noise and crowds bothered her.
I thought the author did extremely well in conveying both the shock and guilt often associated with loss, but especially with the loss of a friendship before Franny's death. Short chapters revealed to us the demise of the friendship in flashbacks scattered throughout the narrative, and also revealed the mounting feelings of betrayal and confusion felt by Suzy as these events occurred.
The "message" that Suzy sends Franny on the last day she ever sees her former friend felt rather extreme to me, but in Suzy's "black and white" way of thinking, it might be plausible. If so, it further solidifies my feelings that the main character in this novel may be on the autism spectrum.

"The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin is a beautiful and well written novel about a young girl, coming to terms with the death of her childhood best friend, Franny. Suzy doesn't believe things happen for a reason. After Suzy's friend dies from a drowning accident, Suzy's mother tries to explain that some things just happen, including an unexpected death. Suzy rejects this idea and insists that there must be reason why Franny died so tragically young, especially since Franny was an excellent swimmer. Following the death of her friend, Suzy stops speaking, literally. She feels like communication is a waste of time. She believes words hurt people and she thinks making "small talk" is not worth the trouble. After a field trip to the aquarium, Suzy becomes fascinated with jellyfish. After she learns more about the nature of jellyfish, Suzy convinces herself that Franny must have died from a jellyfish sting. This story is beautiful, heartbreaking, and oh so powerful. I really liked Suzy. She's a strange little girl (oddball but a very unique and independent 12 year-old). The story is told in present tense and flashbacks (which talks about Suzy and Franny becoming friends, and later a falling out which symbolizes the end of their friendship prior to Franny's death). I liked the character development of Suzy throughout this novel. She learns so much about herself. Her grief felt real and accurate. One of the best middle grade books I've ever read. A must-read! Enjoy.

A few times in a lifetime, a book comes along that moves you so deeply and profoundly, and changes, expands and refreshes your vision. This is the effect that feeds the bookworm. This is how The Thing About Jellyfish affected me.

Don’t let the YA label fool you. Anyone at any age can appreciate this novel. I will never teach another adult writing class without using The Thing About Jellyfish as an example of intricate story, theme and character.

I would have never imagined these things when I first delved into the book. Nonstop research about jellyfish stung me until I acquiescence to the brilliant literary waters.

In a nutshell, the main character Suzy will do anything to find the answer to her former best friend’s drowning death. Yes, simple theme, but buckle up dear reader, her level of determination is an escalating ride. A coming-of-age story, author Ali Benjamin plants the reader into Suzy’s obsessive, self-absorbed and overworked mind (on the spectrum?). Instead of being confused over bizarre, borderline crazy behavior that, for instance, involves urine (I won’t give the story away), we see through Suzy’s perspective, and we are granted the “why” before that universal question: “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?”

Technique is not only Ms. Benjamin’s mastery. The author crafts soul into words. I cannot resist quoting one of my favorite passages:

“Back in 1968, people looked at Earth rising over the moon and believed they mattered. They believed they could accomplish anything.

What if we could feel that way again?

What if, when we saw threats around us—blooms of jellies, a sixth extinction, a middle school dance—we stopped feeling so tiny? What if we ceased feeling like a mote of dust and remembered instead that we are crafted from the stars that existed at the dawn of time?
All of the creatures on Earth might be made of stardust. But we are the only ones who get to KNOW it.”

If this example of the author’s work is not genius, then what is? Definitely future blog material for me.

I will not give away the ending, but if you are looking for justice or fairness or a place in your world, sometimes it isn’t about “happy endings.” Sometimes the “happy ending” is as simple as mustering up the courage to step outside of our comfort zone. Sometimes the “happy ending” is being your own genie in a bottle and leaning into life without the luxury of popularity or fame.

Summary: It’s the beginning of seventh grade for Suzy, and a month since her best friend Franny drowned. When her class goes on a field trip to the aquarium, Suzy learns about the lethal Irukandji jellyfish and decides to try to prove that Franny’s death was caused by a jellyfish sting. Suzy has stopped talking, and she becomes completely immersed in her jellyfish research, going so far as to plan a secret trip to Australia to visit a scientist who specializes in the creatures. In flashback scenes, the reader learns that, while Suzy and Franny were once good friends, they had drifted apart in sixth grade, with Suzy left feeling like a friendless outcast. Just weeks before Franny’s death, Suzy tried to send her a message in a bizarre fashion which came across as a cruel prank. When Suzy’s trip to Australia is thwarted at the airport, the people she loves finally realize the depth of her grief and begin to help her heal and move on with her life.

Pros: Suzy’s voice, introspection, and decision-making all feel genuine for a 12-year-old. While there is a lot of grief and sadness in this book, there are enough positive adults and kids in Suzy’s life to make for a hopeful ending.

Cons: After recently reading true stories about kids growing up in Nazi-occupied Denmark and the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, I sometimes felt like Suzy came across as a little too self-centered.

I know what you’re thinking: “But Elise, this is a children’s book! Why would you put this on a blog for adults? What could we possibly find in a book meant for 11 year olds?”

Hold you horses, people, cause it turns out we can learn a whole hell of a lot from well-written children’s and young adult books. Now, I’m not talking about your typical kids books, but there are some remarkable exceptions, and The Thing About Jellyfish is absolutely one of them.

Relating the story of Suzy Swanson’s unique and touching attempt to cope with the death of her best friend, this novel is wonderful. I initially just picked it up because it was written by a fellow Grinnell College alumna, and I’m nothing if not loyal to my alma mater. But what I found when I read this book was so much more than I ever expected.

It takes a lot to infuse a children’s book with such depth, such cleverness, and such a raw and honest exploration of grief, but Benjamin managed to do so. In The Thing about Jellyfish, Suzy becomes convinced that her friend's accidental drowning was the result of a rare jellyfish sting. The story follows Suzy as she decided to stop speaking in the wake of the loss and as she does whatever it takes to prove her theory correct. As Suzy’s obsession with finding an explanation for her friend’s death grows deeper, and as the history between her and her friend prior to the tragedy is revealed, I was swept up in the utter honesty and relatability in this story. I both admired Suzy and wanted to hug her; I lived much of her pain when I was an adolescent, and this story rang so true with my own experiences of abandonment and loss.

Although it’s easy to read (of course, given its audience), this book remains with me in the back of my mind. It’s the kind of book that I read and think, “Damn, will I ever be that good of a writer? How did she do it?” How did you do it, Ali Benjamin? TEACH ME YOUR WAYS.

I would highly recommend this book to any adult, whether you have children or not. It’s beautiful, touching, and wonderfully sincere—I challenge you to read it and not walk away with a new little butterfly of understanding inside you.

Young or old, you should do yourself a favor and give this book a fraction of your time (seriously, it only took me a few hours to read it). Ready…set…go get it from the library!

--Elise Hadden, Under the Heather Books ([...])

I thought this novel was okay. I loved the fascinating facts about jellyfish as I am find them interesting and amazing. Suzy is obsessed with them after a school field trip and she begins to believe that they are the cause of her best friend’s death which happened while she was swimming. Suzy is consumed to find a reason for her death, to pinpoint why this unfortunate disaster occurred. Suzy’s world is filled with facts and information about jellyfish after this field trip and the more that she thinks about it, the more blame she casts on the jellyfish but she needs verification. There are flashbacks where we see the girl’s relationship for what is was, how they nurtured one another and then how things changed between them. I wondered about Suzy, I wondered if she just didn’t see the big picture or was she afraid of change or afraid of standing out. She confused me at times and I wondered if students felt the same way when they looked at her.

The author had a way with words; I really enjoyed reading this novel. I liked how the author used a variety of fonts in this novel. I noticed that this helped make the information stand out, it helped with the transitions in the reading and it made reading the novel smoother using this technique. There were different typeset that transitioned you into the different time periods that the story inhabited, unique lettering that Suzy used to take notes of her scientists, notebook notes and Mrs. Turton notes each had different typescript. It’s funny how you notice things like that when you’re read. It’s a novel about grief, about death and about friendship. 3.5 stars

Coping with grief is difficult for anyone and this relates the thoughts of a twelve year old girl who copes by being an elective mute. As she struggles to understand how her friend, a strong swimmer, could have drowned she seeks to discover a reason for it happening. She becomes obsessed with the theory that jellyfish must be to blame and carries out research to discover more. The story is packed with facts that Suzy discovers . . . .

Suzy is a great character, a very bright young lady who retains and recalls facts she’s found interesting easily, linking them together in what seems to her to be a logical manner. This actually causes problems for her relating to her peers as many find her seriousness odd. She’s also having to cope with her parent’s splitting up and other difficulties at school. Keeping mute is her way of doing so. The story is told from Suzy’s point of view but includes flashbacks to other events as well as present time ones. It is an enthralling and very different read, one that I enjoyed, especially as Suzy finds other people to relate to, including a caring teacher who helps support and encourage her and her lab partner (who has problems of his own, too)- giving them opportunities to develop their interest in science even further.

Some of the descriptions and explanations given in the story are beautifully expressive, offering a valid alternative point of view and stimulating thought and discussion. It is an exploration of how attitudes, behaviours and relationships change through pre-teens and adolescence, through the eyes and thoughts of Suzy and her perceptions of the actions of her peers. I was wary that it might be a depressing read but it certainly isn’t. Yes, there are sad times in the story but it shows the journey to a happier reality and the tears I shed towards the end were happy ones. It is a great story in its own right but could be used by teachers or parents to help explore feelings and stimulate discussions, too. I highly recommend it to middle graders, young adults and adults alike, a well researched, emotive story that is decidedly different and superbly written - I learnt a lot about jellyfish, too!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Thing about Jellyfish is a candid story about a young girl's tenacious search for the truth and a tender examination of grief. Suzy and Franny have been best friends since early elementary school. When Franny drowns during a summer vacation, Suzy vehemently denies that the drowning could occur as Franny was an excellent swimmer. On a school field trip to a local aquarium, Suzy becomes fascinated by the jellyfish exhibit, for the jellyfish are mysterious and deadly creatures, able to strike hapless victims at a moment's notice. Is it possible that Franny was stung by one of these creatures? Suzy embarks on a desperate quest to discover the truth about Franny's death. Perhaps in doing so, she can make amends for a horrific decision in her past, a decision which changed her and Franny's relationship forever.

Ali Benjamin's story is riveting, heartbreaking and beautiful. I loved how many chapters were told as a one-sided conversation, where Suzy is speaking to Franny. These chapters provide insight into the girls' relationship. Suzy's voice is wonderful, both so heartwrenching and so desperately hopeful. She is a compelling character, a meticulous, intelligent girl who has the ability to hear an orchestra in nature when others hear nothing. In the end, The Thing about Jellyfish is an unforgettable story that moved me to tears. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone suffering from loss. God bless you all.

This story is the journey of self discovery for Suzy, "Zu." A child who loves science facts will definitely love this book. And a child who doesn't love science might learn to love it after reading Suzy's story. I really appreciate the positive adults in Suzy's story. And the way Suzy thinks seems very right for her age (7th grade). She is rejected by her best friend and this friend is the one who dies at the very beginning of the story but the author tells this story in flashbacks so we feel Suzy's loss with her, the loss of the friendship. And I very much appreciate the two friends she ends up making in the end and the compassion from the science teacher. I love how Author Benjamin uses the science teacher's words about scientific research and steps to start each chapter. I love the drawings of the jellyfish and that Benjamin actually used the names of real scientists when talking about experts. The only thing I wish would have been different is that i wish Rocco would have been referred to as Aaron's roommate or friend rather than boyfriend because I think that small detail brings up a whole other topic that isn't necessary to the story. Rocco's status, if unknown, could have still been the same, but by officially calling him Suzy's brother's boyfriend I think some people will not read this book and then miss out on a good story.

What an incredibly emotional read! I think this should be encouraged reading in Middle School, there's so much that can be taken away from it.

This book, told from the POV of a 12 year old 7th grader, sheds light on many of the issues that I remember from my own 7th grade experience and that I know from my own kids' stories, still goes on today. The story explores bullying, the drifting apart of friends after leaving elementary school, opening one's self up to making new friends, and death...which I hope that most middle school kids don't have to deal with, but two of my three children unfortunately have. It's poignant and touching and scary and emotional and I found myself crying off and on throughout the whole book. It also touched an adult feeling I think we have all had at one point or another...the longing to go back to a time when things were more simple, when people took care of us instead of the other way around, when we could be carefree. I can't say much more without ruining the story for others, so I'll just say if you are a fan of realistic fiction, of works exploring difficult subjects, or of emotional reading, this is the book for you...no matter your age.

This is my 7th grade daughter's review. Usually, when she likes a book, it is worth reading. It looks like I will add this to my list.

I have always thought jellyfish were interesting. They are mysterious, beautiful, and dangerous all at the same time. This book was perfect for me.

It is arranged in the order of the scientific method. There is a question, a hypothesis, procedure, and so on, and it all ties in with the story nicely. The book manages to cover a variety of topics- friendship, science, adventure, and even death, while still keeping a smooth plot. I really like how they used real jellyfish experts as people in the book. Also, there are many tidbits and facts about jellyfish scattered throughout the book, so people who like trivia will find that to their liking. The only thing that I didn't really like was that the book was rather short. I felt that the book could have been dragged out a little longer, but since I like to read, that may just be me. People who enjoy quick, short reads may like this better. Overall: 4 ¾ stars

Benjamin has crafted a middle-grade novel that hums with beauty and wonder on every page. It honors the complexity of grief by following a child's reaction to the death of a friend. The first death is the one that often happens as two may grow apart in middle school. The second death is marked by a funeral. Both demand that Suzy grieve. The pain exacted by both losses is expressed in detail by Benjamin, and the reader has a window into Suzy's heart that her family, teachers and friends can only guess at. Suzy's passion for understanding the world through science threads throughout the story. As the last chapter unfolds, the beauty of the tale is overwhelming- the way that the beauty of the natural world can be. I felt that I was witness to something both small and infinitely large. Just lovely.

BEA is long over but I'm still powering through my pile of ARCs. This one right here, The Thing About Jellyfish, was the first one I read. And I read every bit of it while sitting at the airport as I was waiting to go home.

No, hold on. I didn't just read this book. I devoured it.

And it's not one of those "Hmm, maybe I'll sit down and casually read while I have SYTYCD going on in the background" types of books either. I mean just look at what Ali Benjamin (no relation...I think) has stuffed in between the two covers just waiting for you:

After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy was a rare jellyfish sting. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory--even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door.

Right? This is heavy stuff. Especially for middle grade. This is Dan Gemeinhart's The Honest Truth level of gut-wrenching awesomeness. I'm a slow reader on even the lightest of books and I tore through TTAJ in a couple of hours. And the reason I broke some sort of personal eye-page speed record is because I became so invested in Suzy's desire to prove her friend's death wasn't an accident. I've never had a best friend die, but I felt Suzy's pain so deeply. It was real to me. Benjamin does such an incredible job of putting us in Suzy's head and letting us catch glimpses of how her way-more-than-analytical brain works. And the way Benjamin weaves in the symbolism of jellyfish to so many things in Suzy's life is effortless and beautiful.

So, yeah. Five big stars to this one from me. And it may take me a while to get through the rest of my ARC pile, but I know at some point I'll come back to visit Suzy again.

THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH by Ali Benjamin is the touching story of a seventh-grade girl dealing with the death of a friend.

When Zu learns of her friend’s accidental drowning, she slowly withdraws and stops talking. Through flashbacks, we learn the story of their friendship and why she’s haunted by guilt. In her quest for solace and answers, she dives into an exploration of jellyfish in the hopes of solving the mystery of Franny’s death. Although she shuns family and friends with her single-minded quest, they’re understanding and supportive.

By exploring the death of a friend from the perspective of a bewildered child, Benjamin provides interesting insights into the confusion and devastation distinct to young grievers.

Although written for the middle grades, librarians will enjoy the authentic storyline that bridges into young adult interest. The mixture of chapter introductions focusing on the scientific method, fascinating information about jellyfish, and heart-wrenching flashbacks sets this novel apart from other works of realistic fiction on the topic of dealing with the death of a friend. With lots of opportunities for thought-provoking discussions, this well-written work of realistic fiction would be a great choice for literature circles.

Look for this title to appear on Newbery short lists. It’s a winner!

Learn more about the author at http://alibenjamin.com.

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Hachette on September 22.

This is an unexpectedly involving book for Young Adults or adults. Our heroine is aged twelve, a smart, caring girl with just one good friend at school. When her friend dies by drowning while on a seaside holiday, there's no obvious cause. The lonely girl shrinks into her own world of trying to establish whether a venomous jellyfish sting could have been to blame. Global warming, different jellyfish varieties and the fact that jellyfish have survived the last several great extinction events are all part of the world she researches.

Meanwhile, we see the separated parents trying to make sense of the fact that their daughter isn't talking, while being quite civilised about their lives. A child psychologist is called upon, and doesn't really help. More useful is a science teacher who provides our girl with a safe environment and something interesting as a focus.

The jellyfish experts mentioned are real scientists and you will fill your head with fascinating facts. This appeals to me more than the flashbacks of how the tight friendship had started, grown and decayed, causing our protagonist to feel more guilt than she should along with her grief. Younger readers might get more from these school snippets. This unusual read is a lovely book with several lessons; it shows how bright girls can be socially isolated, yet we desperately need to encourage their careers in science.

Beautifully written, heart-wrenchingly sad, and heart-warmingly enchanting. I can't remember the last time I cried through the ending of a book as much as here. Suzy's journey is captivating, perhaps because I could have been Suzy, with her bafflement at the transition of her friend when they reached middle school. I was right there with her in her confusion: how do some girls just suddenly know what's stylish, what's the right thing to say--and what shouldn't be said? How does one deal with the ridicule from being out of step with "the cool kids?" When Suzy's best friend suddenly becomes one of them, how can she get back their former closeness? Even after the reader has figured out the essence of the ending, Benjamin still has a number of heartbreaking surprises in store. The use of the scientific method to structure the chapters, and the beautiful jellyfish sketches, serve to enhance the already wonderful writing. I am in awe of Ms. Benjamin's accomplishment with this tale. I can't wait for the movie.

This book appealed to me because of the subject matter: dealing with grief and death.

Grief is an unpredictable thing, and Ali Benjamin has perfectly captured one of the many manifestations of it in this wonderful book. The main character, Suzy, is struggling to understand her friend Fanny’s death. Fanny drowned in the ocean, which to Suzy makes no sense because Fanny was a very strong swimmer. Suzy decides there must have been foul play in Fanny’s death, and she pins blame on jellyfish.

The narrative voice is uniquely awkward and straightforward. Suzy is a child but her denial and desperation to find an explanation is common to children and adults alike. A lot of the story is told in flashbacks of Suzy’s relationship with Fanny, and in snippets of factual information about jellyfish and other things.

This book is heavy while also having humor in it, with a moving ending. Not gonna lie, it made me tear up a little bit. This is a great book for introducing older MG readers to the idea of loss, grief, and coping (and good for adults, too!).

What happens when you're 12 and the person you have always considered your best friend dies suddenly. You don't find out for two days, and - even worse - you never have the chance to say goodbye. Nor do you have the opportunity to apologize for your last act - meant with the best of intentions, but not received as such. When maybe you're a little different than the average 12-year-old girl, and you suddenly learn that a rare jellyfish is migrating north and the sting could be unnoticed. If you're Suzy, you begin to research that jellyfish in order to convince everyone - but mostly yourself - that things *don't just happen*.

While the book is a middle-grade level book, the story contained within is appropriate for all ages. It is unique and absolutely beautifully written. Suzy has a voice that is all her own, but her struggles to accept the death of her friend and what that means for her own life, are universal. The book is divided into parts that have sections within them. Each part begins with instruction from Suzy's science teacher about how to do a scientific research paper. Then the sections alternate between Suzy's research and her remembrances of her friendship with Franny throughout their 12 years. In a sense, the book is a scientific research paper regarding love, loss, and acceptance.

The characters in the story are so beautifully...human. As a parent, I know that "sometimes things just happen" has crossed my lips - and never have I appreciated that internal struggle that it could cause in someone who strongly appreciates order and reason. And yet...sometimes they do. Coming to terms with that can take years for some, and some never do. This is the beautiful tale of a girl who begins to learn that sometimes, things aren't what we want them to be, and change is just a part of life. An excellent book for a discussion of love and loss, and for any classroom, library, or home.

Ali Benjamin's first solo novel is truly an impressive one, perhaps with more despair than can be balanced out by the ultimate message of hope, but one that is well-done with a moving story of a girl processing her friend's tragic death. The story is split between the history and collapse of Suzy's friendship with Franny to her death and funeral and Suzy's depressed state as she becomes obsessed with the notion Franny was killed by a jellyfish.

So, yeah, not a happy read, but Ms. Benjamin's writing, interspersed with Suzy's collection of jellyfish information, makes this most readable. The writing is sharp and thoughtful, and Suzy's journey is fascinating.

My personal opinion is the book is just too depressing and dark despite the hopeful happy ending, and a feel-good novel this is not. I think a stronger balance of hope might have put this to the top. Despite this (and perhaps many will find the dark nature wonderful) it's an excellent, thoughtful read.

I would like to thank Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing me with an electronic copy to review. Middle school can be horrible for the most well adjusted, but for those who are unique or different, it can be painful. When her former best friend Franny drowns while on vacation, 12 year old Suzy is left with the regret of words unsaid. Struggling to find reason for this horrible tragedy, Suzy becomes fixated on the possibility that a rare jellyfish was the cause. Through the use of flashbacks, the author gives background into Suzy and Franny's friendship and subsequent falling out. The pain that Suzy felt when Franny started pulling away from her in middle school transported me back to my own feelings at the age of 12. The author did an excellent job of conveying Suzy's grief and her thought patterns as she tries to make sense of it all. The Thing About Jellyfish is ideal for tweens/teens in middle grades, as many readers will be able to identify with Suzy's struggles with teasing, feeling inadequate, and losing a dear friend.

A contemporary middle grade story about a girl whose friend died while swimming in the ocean. The MC stops talking entirely after that and becomes obsessive about the idea that a deadly Australian jellyfish must have killed her friend, preferring that to her mom's answer that "these things just happen sometimes." The main character is nuanced, and as the story unfolds, you get to see more and more of her very strange mind and the secrets she's keeping with her silence. It has stuck with me almost a year later.

The Thing about Jellyfish is a heart-rending, novel by Massachusetts author Ali Benjamin. It’s easy to see why this novel for middle-grade readers has garnered so many awards and accolades. Smartly written and perfectly pitched, Benjamin has written a novel so rich in empathy and intelligence that readers of every age can appreciate it.

Over the summer, Suzy lost her best friend Franny to a tragic drowning accident. As a girl fascinated by facts and figures, Suzy tries to order her grief, finding solace in science. When she alights upon a theory that her friend, a very strong swimmer, must have been stung by a rare and deadly jellyfish, she embarks upon a quest to prove her theorem and solve the mystery of Franny’s death.

Benjamin packs a lot of interesting information about jellyfish - the “ghost heart” of the sea ‑ into her novel in a way that is intrinsic and allegorical, but the book is primarily a story of overcoming grief and dealing with the real terrors of growing up. The Thing About Jellyfish is an astonishing and gripping novel for young and old alike.

This book does a great job explaining the emotions that teens go through when confronting death of a classmate. Suzy felt unable to control the situation she was in, and took control of the only thing she could - talking. This book would be a great way to open up a line of communication between youth dealing with death and frustrations confronting them with friendships.

This book would be appropriate for a middle school student, especially since the main characters in the book were middle school students.

I ran across the book while searching for some light reading to fill the last of my summer break. When I picked it up, I didn't know how much it would change me. From the second chapter, I was buried in the story, matching its pointed emotions to my own. I broke (again) with the characters and began to heal because of them. I identify with each character, as I saw myself in them. I am a middle school science teacher. I lost a student to an event I can't accept. I watch others around me move through their days as if the world hasn't changed; but it did. This book has become deeply personal for me. A life shifting moment that I will never have the chance to thank the author for. It is well worth reading. And even if it doesn't change you, as it's changed me, you will be better for having learned the things about jellyfish.

Knowledge is power. And being able to know all sorts of random facts, can be a sort of solace. This is the premise under which we meet Suzi Swanson. A middle school girl who has always been a little bit of an odd duck, but didn’t worry about it until her best friend, Franny Jackson passed away during a fatal swimming accident. Because, here was the thing. Franny was a great swimmer. The best swimmer. And she couldn’t have died because it didn’t make sense.

Set in modern day South Grove, Massachusetts. Suzi and Franny were seventh grade girls who had been best friends forever. Right off of the bat, we are aware there has been a loss in Suzi’s life. We meet her in an aquarium on a field trip with her middle school class. We are aware that she hasn’t really been talking, and we first meet her fascination with the word. She is drawn to the jellyfish exhibit where we learn of a certain species which has fantastically powerful venom, and that has been expanding its territories as of late. Even as far as the waters where Suzi’s best friend, Franny. had drowned a few weeks ago.

This discovery launches Suzi on her journey of grief, love, and acceptance. She goes on to learn as much about Jellyfish as she can, and eventually lands on a plan to go to Australia and talk to a Jellyfish expert, therefore validating the fact that Franny didn’t die in an accident, but was instead killed by a jellyfish. However, Suzi is twelve, her parents are divorcing, and she cannot let them know of her plan. She begins plotting and working toward her secret goal while attending therapy for her “not-talking” and fielding the general drama of middle school.

Throughout the story we are taken to several different signpost moments in Suzi and Franny’s friendship. Between these moments we are brought back to Suzi’s present world, and toward her progressing plans of escaping to Australia. Eventually, Suzi gets all the way to the airport, only to be told that 12 year olds cannot travel internationally without parental approval. She is shattered. Her parents and family are called, and Suzi realizes that life is a touch more random than can ever be expected, that her family loves her and supports her, and that sometimes things just happen.

Throughout this story there is a delightful sense of fascination with all aspects of the world, but especially the scientific. Suzi is inquisitive and through her we learn about jellyfish, but also rudimentary physics, biology and general scientific principle.

Suzi’s character is well developed and believable. But, the rest of the characters tend to feel flat and one dimensional. Because so much of the narrative, and story, is inside of Suzi’s head. This works out for the most part. But there was the occasional moment where situations felt a little contrived, or the characters didn’t seem to react in believable ways.

The flashbacks were done well and really gave depth to the relationship between Franny and Suzi. Without them, Franny was a pretty unlikable character. But, with the added background of their childhood together, many of the instances that showcased Franny being mean or snooty came across as heartbreaking. Suzi, despite her brilliance, was completely in the dark about what was going on and, as a reader, I empathized with her.

I enjoyed The Thing About Jellyfish. It was a carefully crafted ride through some very difficult territory. Despite the general lack of depth in most of the characters, the sheer complexity and vibrancy of Suzi on the page made it a pleasure to read as well as made the book move along at a quick pace. The Thing About Jellyfish is a interesting new spin on the classic tween tale and brings a new level of thought and drama to an otherwise common genre.

Works Cited:

Benjamin, Ali. The Thing About Jellyfish.

New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2015. Print

– Unique book that has you reading about the scientist Jamie Seymour, and Diana Nyad’s historic swimming from Cuba to Florida. This story is about a young girl whose best friend drowns while on holiday. As the story goes Suzy’s grief is much more than just the loss of her best friend, but frustration at something happening without apparent reason. Suzy has regret about things that took place between she and her best friend before her death. Suzy’s best friend drowns and she needs to know why. Until she finds out the truth Suzy stops talking. When Suzy suspects it was from a jellyfish sting, her experiment shows how she inquiries into nature of jellyfish, friends, family, and the need for silence. This novel took a fresh approach of having a female character who loved science. It was touching, sad, uplifting, and has you wanting to know Suzy personally.

THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH is a novel full of heart and science, which is right up my alley. Suzy, reeling from and grappling with the accidental drowning of her ex-best friend, has given up talking while she obsesses over the secret life and facts of jellyfish.

As she works through her grief, we find out that she and her life-long friend had drifted apart in sixth grade--her friend had gone the way of popular girls focusing on looks and boys, while Suzy was still the nerdy, science geek who viewed the world with wonder and naiveté. Their relationship had deteriorated to terrible depths when her friend died, compounding Suzy's grief and guilt.

Suzy slowly emerges from her grief and reconnects with the world in a gripping, moving, funny, and courageous journey.

I was quite surprised with some of the content of this book. I'm a middle school teacher and read the wonderful reviews of this book so I decided to order it in hopes of maybe teaching this novel next year. As an adult, I was a little surprised by some of the things the main character does and I don't feel comfortable teaching this book. It's a good read, but parts of it are very strange.

The Thing about Jellyfish is a heart-rending, novel by Massachusetts author Ali Benjamin. It’s easy to see why this novel for middle-grade readers has garnered so many awards and accolades. Smartly written and perfectly pitched, Benjamin has written a novel so rich in empathy and intelligence that readers of every age can appreciate it.

Over the summer, Suzy lost her best friend Franny to a tragic drowning accident. As a girl fascinated by facts and figures, Suzy tries to order her grief, finding solace in science. When she alights upon a theory that her friend, a very strong swimmer, must have been stung by a rare and deadly jellyfish, she embarks upon a quest to prove her theorem and solve the mystery of Franny’s death.

Benjamin packs a lot of interesting information about jellyfish - the “ghost heart” of the sea ‑ into her novel in a way that is intrinsic and allegorical, but the book is primarily a story of overcoming grief and dealing with the real terrors of growing up. The Thing About Jellyfish is an astonishing and gripping novel for young and old alike.

This book does a great job explaining the emotions that teens go through when confronting death of a classmate. Suzy felt unable to control the situation she was in, and took control of the only thing she could - talking. This book would be a great way to open up a line of communication between youth dealing with death and frustrations confronting them with friendships.

This book would be appropriate for a middle school student, especially since the main characters in the book were middle school students.

I ran across the book while searching for some light reading to fill the last of my summer break. When I picked it up, I didn't know how much it would change me. From the second chapter, I was buried in the story, matching its pointed emotions to my own. I broke (again) with the characters and began to heal because of them. I identify with each character, as I saw myself in them. I am a middle school science teacher. I lost a student to an event I can't accept. I watch others around me move through their days as if the world hasn't changed; but it did. This book has become deeply personal for me. A life shifting moment that I will never have the chance to thank the author for. It is well worth reading. And even if it doesn't change you, as it's changed me, you will be better for having learned the things about jellyfish.

Knowledge is power. And being able to know all sorts of random facts, can be a sort of solace. This is the premise under which we meet Suzi Swanson. A middle school girl who has always been a little bit of an odd duck, but didn’t worry about it until her best friend, Franny Jackson passed away during a fatal swimming accident. Because, here was the thing. Franny was a great swimmer. The best swimmer. And she couldn’t have died because it didn’t make sense.

Set in modern day South Grove, Massachusetts. Suzi and Franny were seventh grade girls who had been best friends forever. Right off of the bat, we are aware there has been a loss in Suzi’s life. We meet her in an aquarium on a field trip with her middle school class. We are aware that she hasn’t really been talking, and we first meet her fascination with the word. She is drawn to the jellyfish exhibit where we learn of a certain species which has fantastically powerful venom, and that has been expanding its territories as of late. Even as far as the waters where Suzi’s best friend, Franny. had drowned a few weeks ago.

This discovery launches Suzi on her journey of grief, love, and acceptance. She goes on to learn as much about Jellyfish as she can, and eventually lands on a plan to go to Australia and talk to a Jellyfish expert, therefore validating the fact that Franny didn’t die in an accident, but was instead killed by a jellyfish. However, Suzi is twelve, her parents are divorcing, and she cannot let them know of her plan. She begins plotting and working toward her secret goal while attending therapy for her “not-talking” and fielding the general drama of middle school.

Throughout the story we are taken to several different signpost moments in Suzi and Franny’s friendship. Between these moments we are brought back to Suzi’s present world, and toward her progressing plans of escaping to Australia. Eventually, Suzi gets all the way to the airport, only to be told that 12 year olds cannot travel internationally without parental approval. She is shattered. Her parents and family are called, and Suzi realizes that life is a touch more random than can ever be expected, that her family loves her and supports her, and that sometimes things just happen.

Throughout this story there is a delightful sense of fascination with all aspects of the world, but especially the scientific. Suzi is inquisitive and through her we learn about jellyfish, but also rudimentary physics, biology and general scientific principle.

Suzi’s character is well developed and believable. But, the rest of the characters tend to feel flat and one dimensional. Because so much of the narrative, and story, is inside of Suzi’s head. This works out for the most part. But there was the occasional moment where situations felt a little contrived, or the characters didn’t seem to react in believable ways.

The flashbacks were done well and really gave depth to the relationship between Franny and Suzi. Without them, Franny was a pretty unlikable character. But, with the added background of their childhood together, many of the instances that showcased Franny being mean or snooty came across as heartbreaking. Suzi, despite her brilliance, was completely in the dark about what was going on and, as a reader, I empathized with her.

I enjoyed The Thing About Jellyfish. It was a carefully crafted ride through some very difficult territory. Despite the general lack of depth in most of the characters, the sheer complexity and vibrancy of Suzi on the page made it a pleasure to read as well as made the book move along at a quick pace. The Thing About Jellyfish is a interesting new spin on the classic tween tale and brings a new level of thought and drama to an otherwise common genre.

Works Cited:

Benjamin, Ali. The Thing About Jellyfish.

New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2015. Print

– Unique book that has you reading about the scientist Jamie Seymour, and Diana Nyad’s historic swimming from Cuba to Florida. This story is about a young girl whose best friend drowns while on holiday. As the story goes Suzy’s grief is much more than just the loss of her best friend, but frustration at something happening without apparent reason. Suzy has regret about things that took place between she and her best friend before her death. Suzy’s best friend drowns and she needs to know why. Until she finds out the truth Suzy stops talking. When Suzy suspects it was from a jellyfish sting, her experiment shows how she inquiries into nature of jellyfish, friends, family, and the need for silence. This novel took a fresh approach of having a female character who loved science. It was touching, sad, uplifting, and has you wanting to know Suzy personally.

THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH is a novel full of heart and science, which is right up my alley. Suzy, reeling from and grappling with the accidental drowning of her ex-best friend, has given up talking while she obsesses over the secret life and facts of jellyfish.

As she works through her grief, we find out that she and her life-long friend had drifted apart in sixth grade--her friend had gone the way of popular girls focusing on looks and boys, while Suzy was still the nerdy, science geek who viewed the world with wonder and naiveté. Their relationship had deteriorated to terrible depths when her friend died, compounding Suzy's grief and guilt.

Suzy slowly emerges from her grief and reconnects with the world in a gripping, moving, funny, and courageous journey.

I would have liked to know prior to purchasing about the brother's homosexual relationship. I didn't feel that this had anything to do with the story line and would have preferred that my 10 year old not be introduced to this topic through this book.

I am a 49 year old male which I wanted to get out of the way right from the beginning of this review. I have three kids, the middle one loves to read and she suggested that I read this book. We often share books. I was a public school teacher for years (more than 20) and am now working with teachers, mostly ELA teachers. I love to read although this hasn't always been the case. I picked up The Thing About Jellyfish and was instantly sure that this was going to be a book I loved. I read it over the space of about 4 nights and loved almost everything about it. Those who write for young people can often times fall into a trap of presenting middle years as a cliche. Not so with this text. The characters are honest, the words evoke great images, her use of analogy and metaphors help paint an honest picture of the lonelyness that can be middle school, the way that some deal with loss, the power of teachers and the inner-workings of the young mind. I have read many YA novels and think this ranks up there with one of the best. Highly recommend this for people ages 10 - 16 and any adult who loves reading.

Ali Benjamin’s coming-of-age story THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH is reminiscent of the creature in its title --- transparent, haunting, yet absolutely wonderful.

When seventh-grader Suzy Swanson’s best friend Franny Jackson unexpectedly dies, she channels her grief and confusion surrounding Franny’s death --- and the girls’ awful final moment together --- into silence, refusing to accept that “sometimes things just happen.” Suzy knows there’s a scientific answer behind Franny’s death, and she discovers that answer on a school trip to the aquarium: she’s convinced Franny passed because of a rare jellyfish sting. Suzy begins devising a plan to prove what really happened to everyone, including herself.

To put it simply, THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH is an amazing novel that should appeal to readers way beyond its intended middle school audience. Benjamin’s prose is unforgettably heartfelt as she guides her readers through the uncomfortable story of a friendship crumbled by the hardships of middle school. Broken into seven parts that reflect the scientific method, Suzy gives her hypothesis, shares the background of her friendship with Franny and writes a list of procedures to prove that her best friend died of a jellyfish sting. THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH never becomes too technical or overbearing, and instead perfectly uses the structure to illustrate Suzy’s sadness, determination, intelligence and originality.

Benjamin beautifully employs jellyfish as a metaphor for Suzy’s oddball personality and the fact that she feels unwanted. At one point in the story, Suzy becomes fascinated with a jellyfish expert named Jamie Seymour and plans to meet him by flying to Australia. Suzy repeatedly writes in her journal that she wants to meet Jamie to confirm her findings, but, in some very genuine moments, readers realize that Suzy is heading to Australia to find compassion from a stranger who loves an animal that is regarded as a weird, lonely outcast.

THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH is an amazing debut from an author capable of writing in a genuine and smart voice. It entertains as much as it teaches an important lesson, and it is a must-read for everyone, awkward children and blossomed adults alike.

Reviewed by George Leonidou

*I was thrilled to receive a copy of this novel from Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.

Jellyfish are fascinating and mysterious creatures. Whenever I see them washed up on the beach or encounter them in the ocean or gawk at them through glass at the aquarium, I am intrigued, but mostly afraid. The idea that something so delicate can be so dangerous is one of the perplexities of nature. I loved this book. I loved twelve-year old Suzy. I loved her innocence and her flaws. I loved how the author came to write this book--from a failure. Sometimes the best things come from adversity and disappointment, and this heartfelt book illustrates that beautifully.

Beautiful, clear writing that transcends genre or age group: truly quality literature by an author who understands and respects her audience. The protagonist is unforgettable: I was drawn in by her immediately and found myself alternately wanting to hug her and shake her, but always loving her. I would be proud to give this book to my grandnieces and nephews: no doubt it is worthy of their time and they would be mesmerized by it as I was. This is a must read that treats themes like friendship, grief, and the enduring bonds of love with sensitivity but head-on honesty.

Wow, this was a very good book. Wonderful writing with a well developed and deep main character. I love her tenacity and intellectual curiosity in her search. There is a lot of authenticity to her motivations and reactions. They are childish and beyond her years at different times. Again, the kind of character complexity of any young woman going through a trauma.

I've joked that I can write a program to spit out a juvenile lit book. __NAME__ is a little different from her peers because he/she ___Unigue Quality that eventually is a strength___. But this book shows how much heart can be put into a coming of age story. Kudos. This is a moving book.

Interesting story that faces some pretty heavy topics for teens :
Isolation from peers, hyper focusing, revenge tactics, puberty, and stealing and sneaking from family and friends.

Ends in a positive light that let's you believe every person has their place in the world.

Pretty impressive first novel, in fact, impressive regardless. I'm not a children's book reader normally, although I did read the Harry Potter series as it came out. This was a well put together story that involved no metaphysical components, was about real people, had realistic action and conversations. It was poignant and humorous and I did not feel talked down to even though I am well beyond the target age for the book. If the main character had not been twelve years old, I think the writing and storyline could carry an adult novel just fine. And I learned a whole bunch about jellyfish.

This book will make you sad and happy. Suzy is a young girl who tends to be a bit of an outcast at school. When she meets Franny in the fourth grade, they become best friends, until the sixth grade. Franny becomes friends with the popular girls and Suzy is left afloat. Along the way, Suzy's parents also get divorced which is another tough pill for her to swallow.

After Franny dies in a drowning accident, Suzy stops speaking and she is determined to discover the true cause of why the unthinkable happened. Franny was a strong swimmer, so Suzy can not believe that she could have drowned. During a school trip in an park full of aquatic animals, she learned about invisible jellyfish. And she assumed that maybe her best friend has been killed by a jellyfish sting. The facts she uncovers about jellyfish are woven into the story in a smooth way. As she processes her grief we learn the story about how and when she and her friend first met, until her tragic death. One quote from the book that I love was "There's no single right way to say goodbye to someone you love. But the most important thing is that you keep some part of them inside you." Suzy begins to learn more about the complexities of friendship, and of the beauty and heartache in life.

This is a meaningful story, especially if you have undergone the loss of a loved one. It may seem depressing at times, but is also hopeful. When her family pulls together to show her how much they love her and help her to step into her comfort zone, you want to cheer for Suzy.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know what I was expecting, but this is a well written novel with great insights for any age. Its story captured the angst of the pre-adolescent and those coming of age. It was full of scientific facts used as a vehicle for the main character, and showed the many inner conversations of a pre-teen trying to grieve a great personal loss in the midst of the very confusing social structure of middle school. I highly recommend it for adults and especially adolescents.

Dealing with grief is a process that few adults know how to navigate, much less a middle school student like Suzy, who not neurotypical. Trying to find solid ground after the death of her former best friend, Suzy finds purpose in convincing the world that Franny’s death was not “something that just happens,” but a rare event triggered by a jellyfish sting. Suzy’s analytical mind cannot come to terms that there is no good reason that her friend, an excellent swimmer, would simply drown while at the ocean. Her quest through the book takes her on desperate search for answers, as if proving an alternate cause of death could bring Franny back.

Benjamin’s writing is as exquisite as the rocking of ocean waves, and Suzy’s voice authentic and heartbreaking. This is a must-read for young people who are growing up in a world that is at times senseless and who are navigating school hallways that can be as cruel as the ocean.

This is one of those middle-grade contemporaries that will make you re-evaluate your life. In the best possible way I swear. You will feel all the feels that you didn’t even know you had. You will smile. You will cry. I even found myself sitting there, mouth wide open in surprise.

Anyone who is a fan of Lisa Graff or Nest by Esther Ehrlich will need to get their hands on this book. Suzy is a young girl who has become silent after the drowning death of her best friend. They weren’t on good terms and so Suzy feels that everything is her fault.

She’s a very logical and scientific kid, always having knowledge to share with everyone, whether they want it or not. So Suzy gets the idea in her head that her friend Franny, who was an awesome swimmer, wouldn’t just drown. No. There had to be a reason and she was going to find it and prove to the world that things don’t “just happen.”

I think that as I read this I had flashbacks to my own 5th and 6th grade experience. And boy were they freakin’ terrible. Some of the worst times of my life. Some. Suzy reminded me so much of myself that my heart ached and I felt her embarrassment. I wanted to reach in to the story and give her the world’s biggest hug and tell her it gets better.

Suzy becomes enamored with jellyfish. She’s convinced that her friend was stung by one and that’s how she died. Throughout the book she makes many comparisons between life and her beloved jellyfish. I had to agree.

“Jellyfish don’t get logged down by drama, by love or friendship, or sorrow. They don’t get stuck in any of the stuff that gets people in trouble.”

This book definitely made me love jellyfish a whole lot more. I don’t know that I have a single qualm with this book. It was wonderfully written from start to finish. The characters were well thought out and each shined with their own brilliance. They all played a key role in the story.

Please, please pick up this book. It’s so important.

The 5th g. bookclub book I just finished. It's very good. I'd say 4-8th g. There's a very good discussion outline I found online. It includes one that is traditional discussion topics & one that is based around the scientific process (as the book is outlined that way).

This book really opens up a topic that is hard for adults to start with kids but it is important.

The students read thru this book at a much faster pace than was anticipated for discussion and were eager to discuss the subject matter thoroughly. It also has some wonderful factual content.

Middle school can be particularly difficult for ‘tweens. Not only must they deal with the changing social hierarchy, but also with the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Combine those upheavals with an unresolved conflict between two former best friends and the accidental drowning of one of those girls and you have the basis for this extraordinary novel - “The Thing About Jellyfish”. Ali Benjamin realistically captures the spirit, the angst, and the resilience of the novel’s protagonist Suzy Swanson as she works through her grief and comes to grips with the fact that “…sometimes things just happen …”

At the age of five, Suzy Swanson and Franny Jackson became best friends. A quiet, very intelligent girl Suzy was attracted to Franny’s zest for life and her adventurous nature. As often happens, Suzy and Franny’s friendship waned during their first year in middle school and eventually fractured when Suzy’s obtuse attempt at reconciliation failed. “…A person doesn’t always know the difference between a new beginning and a forever sort of ending …” During her family’s vacation and although she was an excellent swimmer, Franny drowned.

Devastated because of their unresolved conflict, Suzy is unable to accept Franny’s death as an accident. “…Sometimes you want things to change so badly, you can’t even stand …the way things actually are …” She stops talking. “…A person can become invisible simply by staying quiet …Being seen is more about the ears than the eyes …” She finds value and comfort in her silence. “…If people were silent, they could hear the noise of their own lives better …it would make what they did say …more important …If people were silent, they could read one another’s signals …”

A compulsive researcher and list maker, Suzy seeks a reason for Franny’s drowning; she becomes fixated on jellyfish, particularly the deadly Irukandji. “…I wanted an answer – any answer …” As she works through her grief with support from her family, a sympathetic science teacher, and a fellow student, Suzy realizes the truth. “…sometimes things do just happen …it might be the scariest and saddest truth of all …”

“The Thing About Jellyfish” is an intensely personal, emotion packed novel. Ali Benjamin’s use of the first person narrative, the structuring of the novel’s parts using scientific method as the model, and her understanding of ‘tweens create an extremely moving piece of fiction. Her sensitive treatment of ADHD, obsessive-compulsive behavior, introverted ‘tweens, and other issues affecting middle school students is extraordinary. In one chapter titled “Endings”, Ali Benjamin eloquently describes our fear of fading from the memory of others into oblivion.

“The Thing About Jellyfish” is a novel for every age reader and for every reader who values exceptional fiction that speaks to the human condition. Five stars!

I swear middle grade reads have become so much more intense an emotional than most adult fiction books I'm reading lately! "The Thing About Jellyfish" sort of reminds me of "A Year Without Autumn" it's heartfelt and emotionally exhausting. One of those books that leave you wondering about your own life and the people in them.

I absolutely enjoyed this read, even if it was a lot more heavier than I expected.

Suzy's friend dies and she goes through the grief process and this story concentrates on the blame cycle. She is finding anyone to blame to include a jelly fish. It's a tragic story line and would be a good book for a psychologist that deals with children who have lost a loved one. Suzy is immature and consequently deals with her friends' death in a weird way. But that's what makes the book so compelling and true to life. Enjoy.

Read after hearing about this book on NPR. As a young girl your best friend is your first love and Suzy loses here both from a breakup and then death. This book traces her loss through awesome jellyfish. While intended for Middle schoolers as an adult and a mom I adored this. It made me remember the good and the bad of middle school and my best friend.

This book wasa just packed to the brim with emotion and heartfelt characters. This book just blew me out of the water and my socks were left there. I would reccomend This to anybody going through a grieving period or juat searching for a sad book. Remarkable, left me with no words. Ali Benjamin keep writing!

The Thing About Jellyfish is heartbreaking and beautiful. If you have a 5th-8th grader I think they would very much enjoy and relate to this story. Even if you don't have a child of that age, read it. Remind yourself of what it's like to be different and to just want people to understand you, so you can understand the world.

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The things that go through a person's mind and thoughts when they are hurting...how each of us responds to grief. This story of Suzy/Zu and her choice to stop speaking as she processes her profound sadness is a beautiful and touching story. It reminds me to be more kind and to try to understand others' perspective.

While I don't usually pick up middle grade or contemporary stories or books that are practically guaranteed to make me cry like a little baby, this story just called to me -- and was recommended to me by so many people. So. good. Suzy was such an amazing character going through such deep grief and finding her own way of dealing with it. She's a super-smart cookie, too. And, yeah, I cried. A lot.

I iistened to the audiobook CD with my son on a long road trip. I didn't realize that this book was more for girls but my son kind of enjoyed it since it was about kids his age. The story went back and forth on events between Suzy (the narrator) and her friend, Franny who had died from drowning. Suzy tried to find some reason by blaming the jellyfish as to why her friend who was a good swimmer could die from drowning. I didn't understand why Suzy would go through the hoops to find reason on why her friend had died since they had grown estranged as they grew older. I also didn't understand why there was a need for a gay brother and his partner in this story line. Suzy seemed obsessed with her friend in abnormal way. I didn't feel the story helped children cope with death.

Junior high is a tough, but it is especially hard for Suzy who is a little different from the other girls, and whose best friend has died over the summer.

Suzy feels guilt about Franny's death, even though she wasn't there when it happened. Although Suzy still thinks of Franny as her best friend, the friendship the girls always enjoyed has changed recently.

The last interaction the girls had is one that Suzy now feels enormous guilt over. And she is convinced that she must find the reason for Franny's death.

As Suzy researches jellyfish, her interest borders on obsession, as she even attempts to contact a scientist in Australia to learn more about them.

A lot of what Suzy experiences is her way of grieving. Added to her grief over Franny's death is also her sorrow over the death of their friendship that was already taking place before Franny drowned.

I loved this novel, and I found Suzy to be an interesting and developed character. I wondered if she was on the autism spectrum somewhere as she obsessed over jellyfish and seemed to perseverate on some things. I'm not sure tween readers would pick up on it, but her behavior had me wondering.

The amount of information about jellyfish was interesting without being boring or too dry. I wanted to keep reading and actually enjoyed learning about them.

Benjamin did a great job of bringing closure to Suzy's story without creating anything trite or too perfect.

I have been hearing a lot about The Thing About Jellyfish and agree that it is a solid tween read that I can now happily recommend to my readers at school.

Good secular view in the way teens think to process grief and a good look at middle school struggles in general. Removing faith from the equation was very hard for me to read because it was such a comfort and strength to me in those same years.

This book was a delightful surprise considering I was led to believe it would be somewhat morose. After all, Suzy's former best friend has drown, and she's dealing with the guilt of their falling out and the confusion of Franny's absence. What I loved about it, though, was Suzy's curiosity. She fixates on the idea that since Franny was such a strong swimmer, she couldn't have drown. The obvious solution in Suzy's mind is a fatal sting by a rare jellyfish, so that becomes her new obsession. And because Suzy is fascinated by science, I felt I learned a lot about the subject she delves into. I thought her family and peers were authentic, as was Suzy's 12 year old perspective. Despite Suzy's reticence to discuss Franny, she's determined to make a point and I really liked her spunk and intelligence. It was sweet without being saccharine, and I enjoyed witnessing Suzy's months of self-discovery.

I like how this author had the main character talk through her grief and her quest to discover if her best friend could have been stung by jellyfish to cause her drowning. She fears that a deed she had done against her friend could have inadvertently caused her drowning death.

I read this with my fifth grader. I think it's more appropriate for a seventh grader due to some of the topics mentioned. Overall, it was a good story with a good meaning for a middle schooler. We purchased the narration for $11.99 so my daughter could listen during bedtime. The narrator was so slow we had to stop and just read on our own or we'd never finish.

Suzy is such a peculiar character. Bright, enigmatic, determined. Her outlook on life, her thoughts, her brilliance. Add that with the author’s beautiful writing, wow. It’s both a pleasure and honour to read your words, Ali Benjamin.

Full review on Priscilla and her Books

This book was truly very delighting! I loved this book and every part of it. The second I opened this book and read the first page this booked sucked me in. ( Which is pretty rare, I choose my books very carefully....) It was very interesting to see how Suzie was dealing with middle school, since I recently started 6 Grade. I loved how Benjamin changed Suzies emotions throughout the book. I would deffinetly recommend this book for kids 10 and up who are looking for a good book to read!

We read this book aloud with our 3rd and 4th graders. We loved all the science and learning about Jellyfish. We were even inspired to go watch some Jellyfish documentaries after. The content was probably a little old for my kiddos. The middle school social drama. Getting her period (unexpected had to explain THAT!). But I would definitely recommend it to 5th grade and up.

The Thing About Jellyfish tells a story of a young girl, Suzi, trying to make sense of her friend’s death. Compounding her grief is the weight that Suzi must live with after she hurts her friend badly in their final interaction. Suzi mitigates her pain and guilt by escaping into a silent world where her imagination takes her to the depths of the ocean. There, Suzi hopes to uncover an explanation for her friend’s death—and a way back to her own life. While the topics in this junior novel are some of the most difficult kind to read at any age, Suzi's curiosity and determination helps readers navigate deep emotions with a perfect mix of empathy and wonder.

Suzy is such a peculiar character. Bright, enigmatic, determined. Her outlook on life, her thoughts, her brilliance. Add that with the author’s beautiful writing, wow. It’s both a pleasure and honour to read your words, Ali Benjamin.

Full review on Priscilla and her Books

This book was truly very delighting! I loved this book and every part of it. The second I opened this book and read the first page this booked sucked me in. ( Which is pretty rare, I choose my books very carefully....) It was very interesting to see how Suzie was dealing with middle school, since I recently started 6 Grade. I loved how Benjamin changed Suzies emotions throughout the book. I would deffinetly recommend this book for kids 10 and up who are looking for a good book to read!

We read this book aloud with our 3rd and 4th graders. We loved all the science and learning about Jellyfish. We were even inspired to go watch some Jellyfish documentaries after. The content was probably a little old for my kiddos. The middle school social drama. Getting her period (unexpected had to explain THAT!). But I would definitely recommend it to 5th grade and up.

The Thing About Jellyfish tells a story of a young girl, Suzi, trying to make sense of her friend’s death. Compounding her grief is the weight that Suzi must live with after she hurts her friend badly in their final interaction. Suzi mitigates her pain and guilt by escaping into a silent world where her imagination takes her to the depths of the ocean. There, Suzi hopes to uncover an explanation for her friend’s death—and a way back to her own life. While the topics in this junior novel are some of the most difficult kind to read at any age, Suzi's curiosity and determination helps readers navigate deep emotions with a perfect mix of empathy and wonder.

When I first picked up up the book, I was going through a similar stage as the main character. My reasons for depression were because of an event not quite as tragic as hers but I was sad all the same. When I read about how Suzy started blocking out the people trying to help her and looking at the world around her differently, I realized I was doing the same thing. It actually helped me embrace the people around me. You can really get in depth with Suzy and you can tell from her memories that her friend's death changed her. Reallly relatable!

I was quite surprised with some of the content of this book. I'm a middle school teacher and read the wonderful reviews of this book so I decided to order it in hopes of maybe teaching this novel next year. As an adult, I was a little surprised by some of the things the main character does and I don't feel comfortable teaching this book. It's a good read, but parts of it are very strange.

Excellent book. Although I believe it is written for a younger reader (printing larger). I Loved this book and was sorry to see it end. It had great
information about Jellyfish to boot.!!!! I highly recommend for all readers really.

This book is amazing and emotional. I just think it would be great for other readers to know this and to have a friend like Franny. To have Franny die is really hard. I think that the children of the world should read this book. - M age 9

ALI BENJAMIN IS A WONDERFUL STORY TELLER AND THIS IS A LOVELY LITTLE BOOK. I WILL BE SENDING COPIES OF THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS I LOVE MOST.

DAVID BAGNARD
GARDEN VALLEY, IDAHO

My daughter loved this book! She is 11 years old, and she told me that it is hard to put the book down. She brought it everywhere and finished it in two days over winter break. The book is fiction/non-fiction. There are real facts about jellyfish, but the book is also like a mystery.

This book was amazing. As both a science teacher and a lover of literature it hit both marks spot on. It deals with some pretty intense emotions, divorce and grief, so I was surprised to see this marketed towards 4th-7th Graders. It definitely calls for some parental guidance on the younger end of the spectrum. That said--READ IT.

loved it! So touching at times it makes you cry, laugh or wonder about everything around you. A story of love and loss of a friend making everything seem different. Beautifully written its like there is a movie in your head as you read
The Thing About Jellyfish.

This book was a wonderful coming of age take about a girl, named Suzy, at the age of twelve. When her former best friend Franny Jackson does while on vacation in Maryland. This book was wonderful and I recommend it to people of all ages.

I'm a fifth grade student and I chose to read this book because of the description. During the story I was crying so hard that I could barely read. My favorite part of the book was when Suzy didn't just take the money from Aron, but also took the picture

This story about a young girl searching for answers to a friends drowning is told sincerely and with heart. I think most people would enjoy reading this tale and following the characters throughout the story as they learn and change through their experiences. This book can capture a wide audience, from teen to adult.

liked the book. It was an amazing book .But what about the pee! That was gross.And the running away part could give bad example to kids.If i was a kid i would be scared to go back in the in the water because of the jellyfish. I guess this book is for 6th and 7th graders. I think the book was okay.

The Thing About Jellyfish was a relatively ok book, when I first started it. As I read more I realized that it wasn't what I expected. I knew that a child dies in the book, but all the details were very depressing. The character, Suzy, also reacted in the book in an unnecessary way. My 10 year old daughter read the book too, and a week later when we went to the beach she was scared to go in the water.

Suzy is 12 years old the summer her best friend, Franny, drowns at the beach. Suzy finds out 2 days later. Suzy and Franny first met at swim class 7 years ago, and it just devastates Suzy that she will never see Franny again. Especially because they had a falling out over a year ago and now she will never have a chance to make it right. Our 10 year old loved it.

My eleven year old daughter started reading this and came to me telling me that the book had a weird part in it. When I asked her describe the part, she said the main character's brother had a boyfriend and talked about him kissing him. I told her not to continue reading the book and she was really bummed she spent her money on the book. I realize we live in a changing society, but I don't think it is necessary to immerse my children in such controversial material.

The book is interesting to a point, but then it starts beating you over the head with its message. Yes, grief is difficult, divorce is difficult, and middle school can be difficult. I get it. What I don't get is why the author chose to mention the main character's older brother's boyfriend when their relationship had nothing to do with the angst in the book. The inclusion seems gratuitous to me and put me off recommending the book to anyone else. There is nothing wrong with believing that gay relationships are wrong and should not be idly promoted to young people. I regret paying money for this book.

I hardly ever preview books before my kid reads it but thankfully I did read the first few chapters of this one. Completely inappropriate for a 4th grader with the gay content (a boy kisses another boy while in a car) and obsessiveness about death. This goes in our recycling.

This is my first online review. I feel compelled to warn readers that this book is NOT appropriate for kids! It discusses the brother of the main character, and his openly gay relationship. They even kiss at one point in the book. There should be a disclaimer. I am horrified that my 6th grader read this.

I noted the buzz about this book, so I picked up a copy and just happened to decide to pre read it. I was very happy I decided to do so. There was two themes throughout that I did not feel my daughter needed to hear about in a book. I know the book is about an obviously emotional and intense topic, but these other themes that annoyed me were not important to the story itself.