The Thing About Jellyfish

The Thing About Jellyfish

By Ali Benjamin

50 ratings 70 reviews 29 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 3 - 8Y546150
This stunning debut novel about grief and wonder was an instant New York Times bestseller and captured widespread critical acclaim, including selection as a 2015 National Book Award finalist! Oddlot Entertainment has acquired the screen rights to The Thing About Jellyfish, with Gigi Pritzker set to produce with Bruna Papandrea and Reese Witherspoon.

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.
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN-13: 9781509821341
ISBN-10: 1509821341
Published on 10/22/2015
Binding: Hardcover

Book Reviews (71)

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The Thing About Jellyfish is about Suzy, also known as Zu, who recently lost her best friend in a drowning accident. The thing is, Suzy knows that Franny was an excellent swimmer-she couldn't have just drowned. There has to be another explanation, not that anyone believes her. She decides to find out what really killed her best friend. Then she becomes obsessed with jelly fish-especially the Irukandji, a rare, invisible, deadly jellyfish. And she becomes obsessed with finding a doctor who will believe her, and help her prove to everyone the truth. Suzy has a roller coaster of emoticons of sadness, fear, anticipation and confusion. Meanwhile she has stopped talking. One thing I liked about this book was that in between the chapters of the present day of Suzy, she will be having memories of her and Franny. I think that was important to highlight the friendship, and the growth of Suzy. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

If you ever had a moment in your life when something just crushes you so hard, this is the book I would recommend. Telling a story about a intelligent 12 year old girl named Suzy who looks out for the real reason why Franny died. The book makes you feel like you're really there, watching all the moments happening in Suzy life. Words itself, express it all. And just by reading it, you just don't want to stop from there. However, the ending was okay, I guess.

This is about a girl named Suzy and she knows a lot more than anyone. Especially jellyfish. She wondered about how Franny drowned. Read to find out!

The Thing About Jellyfish is about Suzy, also known as Zu, who recently lost her best friend in a drowning accident. The thing is, Suzy knows that Franny was an excellent swimmer-she couldn't have just drowned. She decides to find out what really killed her best friend. Then she becomes obsessed with jelly fish-especially the Irukandji, a rare, invisible, deadly jellyfish. And she becomes obsessed with finding a doctor who will believe her, and help her prove to everyone the truth. Suzy has a roller coaster of emoticons of sadness, fear, anticipation and confusion. Meanwhile she has stopped talking. One thing I liked about this book was that in between the chapters of the present day of Suzy, she will be having memories of her and Franny. I think that was important to highlight the friendship, and the growth of Suzy. I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Ever since her best friend drowned on vacation, Suzy has never been the same. She has stopped speaking completely, and has no friends. She's even convinced that her friend was stung by a rare, invisible jellyfish, the Irukandji. Determined to find a doctor who can prove that her friend was stung, Suzy sets off on a rollercoaster if emotions: fear, sadness, nervousness, excitement. Ali Benjamin writes an "achingly heartfelt debut" about a girl , who is going through the tough stage of adolescence, all while finding herself in the process. This book was so good, I literally could not put it down.

Suzy's best friend Franny just drowned. While at an aquarium Suzy finds out about a rare jellyfish sting, and is convinced that the sting is the reason that Franny drowned. Suzy thinks this because she knew Franny was a good swimmer. Suzy wants to prove her hypothesis right! Will she?

i read this book right when i received and ultimately loved it. its about a girl whose friend had died swimming...but because the friend was such a great swimmer Suzy, the main character, decided that she was stung by an extremely deadly jellyfish. as she does research she convinces herself even more so. every other chapter or so the book has a flashback of when Franny, the drowned friend, was alive and they were friends. Ali Benjamin beautifully shows their relationship and Suzy evetually realizes that sometimes things just happen. i hated that Suzy's older brother was gay and that's why i give this book 4/5 instead of 5/5 like it deserves. but the storytelling is amazing and i would read it again!

The Thing About Jellyfish was a sad but excellent book. It will be very touching and makes you very emotional. The author brings the words to life.

This is more if a girl book, but I read it anyway. I wish I didn't. It was sad and I don't like sad stories no matter how they end.

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