After suzys former best friend is lost from a drowning accident, suzy knows something isnt right. This was our groups first young adult book, and while the setting took us back to middle school memories some fond, some not so fond, the issues and struggles were ageless. The thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin goodreads. Set in the fictional town of south grove, massachusetts, the thing about jellyfish 2015, american author ali benjamins debut childrens novel, follows suzy zu swanson, a seventhgrade girl who is extremely sad about the recent death of her close friend, franny jackson. Oddlot entertainment has acquired the screen rights tothe thing about jellyfish, with gigi pritzker set to produce with bruna papandrea and reese witherspoon. A short video clip on the authors introduction of the book, the thing about jellyfish. Anyway, ursula le guin probably chose portland as the setting for this novel because. The thing about jellyfish story map multileveled lesson. I snatched it up as quickly as i could and began reading it in earnest that. May 5, 2018 a complete guide for this wonderful book about a young girls journey through grief and discovery. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. I snatched it up as quickly as i could and began reading it in earnest that night. Authors purpose for writing the thing about jellyfish interviewing ali benjamin, author of the thing about jellyfish reading reflection summarizing chapters setting i.
This almost reminds me of spirited away, with the aspect that extraordinary beings are doing pretty mundane tasks, but instead of being centered around a bathhouse, this is more global and modern, more like the epilogue of. Oddlot principal gigi pritzker will produce with bruna papandrea and r. Oct 16, 2016 our rgc groups second book was ali benjamins the thing about jellyfish this was our groups first young adult book, and while the setting took us back to middle school memories some fond, some not so fond, the issues and struggles were ageless. This book is called, the thing about jellyfish, written by ali benjamin. So, okay, the lathe of heaven was published in 1971, and back then 2002 was the future, while for us, it was just the year the first spiderman and austin powers movies came out. Great for classroom decorations, or to act as a companion to a novel study of the thing about jellyfish. Ali benjamin produces a point of view, never before seen from a child character. Jul 07, 2017 the thing about jellyfish is a beautifully written middlegrade novel and is full of clever and witty writing.
Most are not dangerous, but some can cause serious damage within minutes, while others can. Authors purpose for writing the thing about jellyfish interviewing ali benjamin, author of the thing about jellyfish reading reflection summarizing chapters setting in the thing about jellyfish main idea all about suzy suzy and me character growth and change. Aug 26, 2016 discussion questions for the thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin. This book makes a number of references to evolution, the universe expanding, an immortal type of jellyfish and the earth being billions of years old. Our rgc groups second book was ali benjamins the thing about jellyfish. Jun 25, 2016 12 quotesfrom carl sagans photo of the dot to the first photo of earth from space. Not after her best friend, franny, who was an excellent swimmer drowns while swimming at sea. The moods this book gave me were anxious, nervous, and excited. Set in the fictional town of south grove, massachusetts, the thing about. Includes the following graphic organizers for the story the thing about jellyfish. She knows about the sleep pattern of ants, that there are about 150 million jellyfish stings on earth every year, and knows that every average middle school kid contains about 20. Suzy, zu, loses her best friend and in dealing with this tragic, unexpected loss, decides to minimize her speaking with the outside world. Convinced that frannys death was the result of a freak jellyfish sting, she crafts a plan to prove the truth, even if it means traveling around the globe alone.
Introducing ali benjamin and the thing about jellyfish youtube. The thing about jellyfish, by ali benjamin the new york times. Introducing ali benjamin and the thing about jellyfish. A worldly, determined, exploring point of view that really dominates the entire novel in a good way. The book is about a girl called zu suzy and her best. Teachingbooks multileveled lesson the thing about jellyfish. Sep 14, 2015 author ali benjamin introduces her new novel, the thing about jellyfish. The thing about jellyfish, ali benjamin the thing about jellyfish is a 2015 childrens novel written by ali benjamin, her fiction debut. Suzy likes to think about the more important things in life. Parents need to know that the thing about jellyfish is a comingofage story about seventhgrader suzy swanson, whose best friend has just died by drowning.
A jellyfish, if you watch it long enough, begins to look like a heart beating. This study guide consists of approximately 64 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the thing about jellyfish. Little, brown and company, a division of hachette book group inc. Most of the story concerns suzys house and her school.
There was a little apprehension, though, too, because my friend and fellow booklover. Aug 18, 2015 the thing about jellyfish, ali benjamin the thing about jellyfish is a 2015 childrens novel written by ali benjamin, her fiction debut. The thing about jellyfish is an excellent novel by ali benjamin that is a welcome addition to the middle school reading list. The thing about jellyfish takes its readers on a wild adventure that factually attempts to prove a young girls belief in her friends abilities. When suzy is told franny drowned in the ocean during a beach vacation, she cannot accept this as a possibility.
Sep 22, 2015 in middle school, where worst thing can mean anything from a pimple to public humiliation, suzy zu swanson really has a reason to be in crisis. Mar 26, 2016 the thing about jellyfish is an amazing book, it gives many different emotions and you can imagine being in the characters situation. The main character is suzy and she doesnt talk anymore. As she prepares, she learns astonishing things about the universe around her and discovers the potential for love and hope in her own backyard. The thing about jellyfish but 12yearold suzy wont believe it. Author ali benjamin introduces her new novel, the thing about jellyfish.
Ming palace is the chinese restaurant where suzy and her father always ate. The thing about jellyfish is a young adult book centered on grief at a young age. The thing about jellyfish is a 2015 childrens novel written by ali benjamin, her fiction debut. The thing about jellyfish, book by ali benjamin paperback.
The thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin scholastic. Ali benjamins the thing about jellyfish is an intriguing story about a 7th grade girl named suzy who has an unusual perspective on the world. Bill anders, earthrise december 24, 1968 pale blue dot february 14, 1990 two images of earth presented by mrs. Benjamin was constantly sending me through moments of laughter and joy as well as moments of true sadness that lingered with me, pulling at ever single little string in my heart. Oct 11, 2015 one that fits the bill is ali benjamins heartfelt and fascinating fiction debut, the thing about jellyfish, which has been nominated for a 2015 national book award. The thing about jellyfish was the best book that i have ever read and i would give it a definite 1010. Suzy believes time and space are the same thing, and that all moments in time may exist simultaneously. The thing about jellyfish is a sweet sixteen book, my heart leapt even though, i have to admit, i kind of forgot about it. In a desperate, misguided attempt to win franny back, lackofsocialskillsbutsupersmart suzy does. One that fits the bill is ali benjamins heartfelt and fascinating fiction debut, the thing about jellyfish, which has been nominated for a 2015 national book award. Aug 29, 2017 jellyfish are common around the world, and some of them sting. A worldly, determined, exploring point of view that really dominates the entire novel. Death and grief are explored in nongraphic, literary detail.
The thing about jellyfish throughout the book suzy figures out that franny actually died because she got stung by a jellyfish, and then she drowned after that. Suzy swansons childhood friendship with franny fizzled in sixth grade. The thing about jellyfish main events tone and mood settings the tone of the author was focused and sometimes like she was trying to convince you something. The setting is probably one of the most unusual ive read and lord jellyfish is by far the most unique take on a character. She embarks on this incredible journey and learns about life, death, and love. Suzy swanson has always known many things that other people dont.
The thing about jellyfish setting eugene field memorial middle school. With these multileveled lessons, students are encouraged to explore the important elements of any fiction text to support comprehension. Also includes two customizable spaces to respond to questions, reflections, or learning targets. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Suzy swanson believes that you can become invisible by staying quiet. The thing about jellyfish ali benjamin, 2015 little, brown books for young readers 352 pp. Discussion questions for the thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin. The thing about jellyfish setting ali benjamin this study guide consists of approximately 64 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the thing about jellyfish. Most are not dangerous, but some can cause serious damage within minutes, while others can be deadly to people who are allergic. If you are the publisher or author of this book and.
Oddlot entertainment has acquired the screen rights to the thing about jellyfish, with gigi pritzker set to produce with bruna papandrea and reese witherspoon. The thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin overdrive. Jellyfish have existed more than six hundred million years, three times older than the dinosaurs. The thing about jellyfish, by ali benjamin the new. Jellyfish are common around the world, and some of them sting. Jun 27, 2016 jellyfish have existed more than six hundred million years, three times older than the dinosaurs. Sep, 2015 the thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin. But were also the only ones who can decide to change. The book starts in suzy swasons present and excerpts from suzys past are sprinkled throughout the book. Call 911 if the person displays signs of a severe allergic reaction the sting is from a box jellyfish. We had a very interesting discussion about grief, individuality, friendship, bullying, and. Everything you need to turn the thing about jellyfish into a unit of study is included, including reading comprehension skills and lessons, and deep thinkin. This book touches on many subjects including bullying and grief, all while using the study of jellyfish to teach students a wonderful lesson about life. The thing about jellyfish is a beautifully written middlegrade novel and is full of clever and witty writing.