The Thing About Jellyfish (2015) by Ali Benjamin

1001 Novels: A Library of America

The Thing About Jellyfish (2015)

by Ali Benjamin 

Stoughton, Massachusetts

Massachusetts: 12/30

  Another insufferable YA title from the 1001 Novels: A Library of America list, this one about a 12 year old in suburban Massachusetts who grapples with the loss of her friend, who drowns while on vacation.  Little Suzy has issues besides this one- including recently divorced parents, but it will come as absolutely no surprise to anyone who has read even a single YA title that she becomes fixated on the cause of her friend's death, which she believes was caused by the sting of a jellyfish.

  Suzy's pre-adolescent angst takes the form of a refusal to speak which is quirky but seems to be pretty common among bookish 12 year old girls the world over.  Everyone is understanding- here parents take her to a therapist who seems content to charge them for weeks of sessions that consist of utter silence.   Here teacher is fine with her not speaking in class, but tells her that she will have to give an oral presentation on a subject of her choosing- required of all students.  Suzy, of course, pick Jellyfish. 

  And that is the book for you. I don't think I missed anything.  There is no doubt that The Thing About Jellyfish was a huge hit and that I have a minority opinion.  It was nominated for a National Book Award (Children's Literature, I'm hoping) and Reese Witherspoon optioned the films rights and inked Millie Bobbie Brown to star back in 2019- I guess the pandemic put a stop to that, and there is no way that MBB could play a 12 year old now.