Benjamin cites The Secret Garden, Harriet the Spy, and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler as shaping her reading life as a child. The Thing About Jellyfish was inspired in part by a trip Benjamin took to an aquarium, and influenced a novel she had been developing about a girl in middle school and her sibling. [2] Jellyfish research [ edit ] This life cycle reversal can be repeated, and in perfect conditions, it may be that these jellyfish would never die of old age. After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting--things don't just happen for no reason. 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. The Thing About Jellyfish is a 2015 children's novel written by Ali Benjamin, her fiction debut. [1] Plot summary [ edit ] As usual, Ruth Paul's rhyming text is great fun to read aloud ("Swordfish slashed, Swordfish sliced, Swordfish dreamed of Jellyfish diced") and her striking illustrations are full of colour, contrast and movement. Emma Wood, Otago Daily Times

Immortal jellyfish are thought to have originated in the Mediterranean Sea, however they are now found in oceans all around the world. It is thought this recently noticed invasion may have been predominantly caused by humans.It is a middle-grade novel that centers to Suzy Swanson and her mission to unravel the mystery (or prove her theory) behind her ex-best friend's death. She can't accept the idea of "sometimes, things just happen"-- that her ex-best friend died of drowning when she's a good swimmer. She didn't believe in this. 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. No wonder I Am Jellyfish won Best Picture Book at this year’s New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Sterling rhyming, immersive illustrations, action, compassion, and a glow-in-the-dark cover to encourage littlies to turn off the light at bedtime. Mary de Ruyter, North and South Publishers Weekly gave the novel a starred review, calling it "a shining example of the highs and lows of early adolescence, as well as a testament to the grandeur of the natural world." [8] Jacqueline Kelly, reviewing for The New York Times, said it was "heartfelt and fascinating" and believed "a lot of children [...] might not only benefit from this book but also [would] find themselves deeply moved by it." [9] Awards [ edit ] The Thing About Jellyfish is the heartrending tale of Suzy Swanson, a little girl who just encountered the Worst Thing: death. To make sense of her grief, Suzy turns to the wonders of the universe and the dazzling expanse of her imagination.

Middle School years are challenging years for kids. My own 34year old daughter says they were the most painful years of her life. -- we've read books on the theme before about 'The awkward years'.... Or 'the bully'...,, or 'friendships falling apart' ....... But you've never read any of them that with the marvels of the jellyfish. You'll be surprised how much you'll learn...'fascinating'!!! You'll read about the scientistsGillette, Sam (26 September 2016). "Reese Witherspoon's Book-To-Movie Club". People . Retrieved 10 June 2018. Morefield, Juliet (12 August 2015). "The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin". School Library Journal . Retrieved 10 June 2018.

Ali Benjamin (2015). "Interview With Ali Benjamin - 2015 National Book Award Finalist, Young People's Literature" (Interview). Interviewed by Tim Manley. National Book Foundation . Retrieved 10 June 2018. I was super excited to read The Thing About Jellyfish because I noticed a review that said "she’s probably on the autism spectrum" though it never explicitly says. I love mental health of this nature and especially autism and asperger's syndrome which I know quite a bit about. And yeah there are some pretty textbook signs that are used in the course of the story. This glorious celebration of the jellyfish’s sometimes-forgotten role in the world of the ocean serves as a reminder that it takes all fish to create a harmonious ocean. The colour palette glows in the depths of the ocean, while the rhyme is gentle and clever. Sarah Forster, The Sapling Science Plays Lead Role In New Book Aimed At Young Adults". WBUR. 28 September 2015 . Retrieved 10 June 2018. Jellyfish outwits predatory Swordfish by luring him into the darkest depths of the ocean. But when Swordfish encounters a predator of his own, Jellyfish comes to his aid and teaches him a lesson in the process.

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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."