The Thing About Jellyfish is a realistic fiction book about a young girl who is trying to process the loss of her best friend. The book is easy to read, yet it has more mature themes like death.

Suzy Swanson, the protagonist, is suspicious of how her best friend, Franny died. She was told that Franny drowned on a vacation in Maine, however, after a school field trip, Suzy is convinced that Franny was stung by an Irukandji jellyfish.

Before her death, Franny began to become friends with the popular girl group and forgot about Suzy. Suzy tried to win Franny back, but before she could, Franny died.

Devastated at Franny’s death, Suzy stopped speaking because she did not see anything positive to say. Her parents were so worried about her that they sent her to a therapist, Dr. Legs.  Not speaking also prevented Suzy from making new friends.

The story is told from Suzy’s point of view. It depicts how she processed the last few months of their friendship and the months following Franny’s death. I would give this book an 8/10 overall and would recommend this for teens who are going through a death or losing a friendship.

-Janna G.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.