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Publisher's Summary

A stunning debut about how grief can open the world in magical ways.

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.

©2015 Ali Benjamin (P)2015 Hachette Audio
Children's Audiobooks Fish & Marine Life Literature & Fiction Animal Fiction
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What the critics say

"Reminiscent of works by Jennifer L. Holm and Sharon Creech, Benjamin's novel is a shining example of the highs and lows of early adolescence." ( Publishers Weekly)
"A painful story smartly told, Benjamin's first solo novel has appeal well beyond a middle school audience." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"Seventh-grade narrator Suzy Swanson will win readers' hearts as she silently struggles to come to terms with her complex emotions over the death of her former best friend." ( Shelf Awareness)

What listeners say about The Thing About Jellyfish

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • Hockey24
  • 2017-10-17

The thing about jellyfish

I loved this book it is my new favorite. And I recommend it to anyone who wants a heart-warming caring story. One thing I liked is that it played with my emotions and made me feel happy and sad at the same time.

5 people found this helpful

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  • Mary Cantwell
  • 2020-02-19

Not a kids book

Disappointed that they had gay brother in the story and they kissed. Not a good children’s book.

4 people found this helpful

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  • Kenneth G. Phillips
  • 2020-05-14

LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

..... welp I loved it so like- I do not know what else I can say....

2 people found this helpful

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  • The Mrs.
  • 2018-08-03

Heart touching and brain building

This book should be required reading. It addresses grief in a brilliant, relatable way. My kids were so intrigued by jellyfish that they went to YouTube and leaned Jamie is real!

2 people found this helpful

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  • lenatalie
  • 2022-05-13

enjoyable and transporting

This was an enjoyable listen from beginning to end. I am a 31 year old woman & this book took me back to younger years. just beautiful.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2022-01-05

Disappointed.

It started out fine, a little slow, but fine. As the story when on and you learned about the main characters story, it started to feel so… just… bad. I genuinely started to think that Suzy was a little “cray cray” It was just so much trouble to steal money and fly to Australia to resolve a problem with her dead ex bestie, who, by the way, was a total jerk to her. I wouldn’t recommend this book. I had to read it for school so I wouldn’t have bought it if not. I was just dissatisfied.

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  • KDS
  • 2021-11-26

Great story

I was immediately drawn in to Suzy's character. The insight into her dealing with her friend's death was interesting and heartbreaking. While the story was good, I felt like there still things left unexplained. Maybe that was the point.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book.

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  • Lindsay Liggitt
  • 2021-11-10

So slow

This book was so slow and got no where. It would get a bit confusing sometimes, and it was all over the place.

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  • SLS
  • 2021-06-09

Nope nope and nope on a rope

Sorry if this offends some people but this book was a no go. Some of the facts in there were untrue and it was also the narrator she is idk I hate to say this but this is one of the worst books I’ve ever read and it’s not good I highly recommend you don’t use your credit on this because it’s not worth it and not what the it looks like.

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  • rebekah omas
  • 2021-06-08

Sweet character, great jellyfish facts

I enjoyed this quick read and loved the main character. Loved the flashbacks mixed with the current struggle.