The Thing About Jellyfish (National Book Award Finalist) Paperback – April 4, 2017

The way she was talking in her head made total sense it was scary, she was hurt but it felt like an unreal way that someone would grief, truly amazing story-unknown

Kid loves the book

In her debut novel, The Thing About Jellyfish, Ali Benjamin manages to beautifully weave together multiple conflicts through the single character of Suzanne Swanson. At twelve years old, Suzy deals with a problem even adults struggle with into their later years: things change. “Sometimes, things just happen” her mom says to her after delivering news that Suzy’s best friend, Franny, drowned. As Suzy delves into the past to figure out what could’ve possibly led Franny, an excellent swimmer, to drown, she discovers something many people never figure out––she and Franny weren’t really friends at all when she died. Eccentric, smart, and sometimes just plain weird Suzy delves into her own theory of how Franny must’ve died: a jellyfish sting.While there’s so many things to say about how much I enjoyed reading this, one thing I must commend is the amount of research that must’ve gone into writing this middle-grade novel. There were so many wonderful scientific tidbits that I, a once marine-biology nut, found myself right at home in Benjamin’s hands as she took me through Suzy’s story. The scientific jargon never bogged down the writing style and made for a quirky read.Speaking of quirky, it was refreshing to finally see a female protagonist who was into science. Too often are young women in literature given stereotypically feminine hobbies (i.e. poetry, creative writing) and gifted in their English classes––which is great! But currently, there’s a problem in America with girls feeling excluded from STEM areas. In my mind, Suzy Swanson grows up to become the world’s leading expert on the Irukandji jellyfish.The writing also never struck me as middle-grade, which is probably why I was able to finish the entire novel in one sitting. When I found out that this was not Young Adult, as I originally thought, I was a bit apprehensive since I’ve never been a big fan of middle-grade, though I’m glad I got past my preconceptions about the genre.My only disappoint with this novel was the lack of confrontation between Suzy and Franny. While I loved their relationship arc––the whole “we were best friend’s but now you’re their friend and you’re mean to me now” plight––I was really itching for an eruption at the end of all the build-up. Suzy passively allowed Franny to bully her for an entire school year, and in the end that all summed up to Suzy making a desperate attempt to appeal to her friend. I would’ve loved an explosive conversation between the two of them that finally brought out the malice that Suzy clearly has, something that would’ve justified the feelings of guilt that Suzy carried the entire novel.Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to what Ali Benjamin has in store for us next. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go through my daily life again without realizing one of the many lessons her novel taught me: Shakespeare is inside all of us.

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.

I’m 42, and This was a gift for my 13 year old niece, but I read it before so I could comment and talk to her about it. I LOVED IT!Kind of makes you remember how one feels as a teenager. Super recommended!