The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

“The Thing About Jellyfish” is a novel written by Ali Benjamin, published in 2015. This young adult fiction book deals with themes of friendship, grief, and the complexities of growing up.

The story revolves around Suzy Swanson, a twelve-year-old girl who is struggling to come to terms with the sudden and inexplicable death of her best friend, Franny Jackson. Feeling lost and unable to cope with the idea of Franny’s drowning, Suzy becomes obsessed with the idea that a rare jellyfish sting might have been the cause of her friend’s death.

The narrative alternates between Suzy’s present-day struggles and her vivid recollections of her friendship with Franny. Suzy becomes determined to prove her theory about the jellyfish, believing that this could somehow offer her closure and understanding.

As Suzy embarks on a scientific quest to prove her theory, she also navigates the complexities of middle school, her strained relationship with her parents, and her efforts to understand herself and her place in the world. The book explores themes of grief, isolation, the search for meaning, and the importance of communication and understanding.

“The Thing About Jellyfish” is celebrated for its poignant portrayal of grief and the emotional journey that Suzy undergoes. The book is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking, as it delves into the challenges of adolescence while addressing the universal experience of loss and the ways in which people cope with it.