The thing about jellyfish made me laugh, feel frustrated with the characters, and sometimes even made me feel like crying. The thing about jellyfish, by ali benjamin, was never going to be my favorite book, whether or not i read it on a long day serving as a jury prospect. Its broken into sections with headings from the scientific method, which accomplishes two cool things right away. To kill a mockingbird is one such book for me, but so is todays featured book.
It has many activities, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing resources made specifically for this novel and which will keep your students so engaged. The thing about jellyfish hardcover books on the square. In her first solo outing, benjamin coauthor of positive with paige rawls composes a moving portrayal of loss and healing. The thing about jellyfish ebook written by ali benjamin. This novel activities resource unit will help you to teach a lot of comprehension skills. Nov 12, 2015 through netgalley, i had the opportunity to read the thing about jellyfish, by ali benjamin, a middle grade book that will debut midseptember 2015. So suzy devises a plan to travel to australia to prove her hunch. As a reader, i was left with some residual sadness. The thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin, paperback barnes.
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. The book follows suzy swanson, the protagonist and narrator, who theorizes the death of her friend, franny jackson, was caused by a jellyfish sting. The thing about jellyfish by anna stoddard on prezi. Twelveyearold suzy swanson wades through her intense grief over the loss of her best friend by investigating the rare jellyfish she is convinced was responsible for her friends death. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theoryeven if it means traveling the globe, alone. The thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin books on. Movies based on books a list of 610 titles created feb 2018. I think the thing about jellyfish was a very good book. The thing about jellyfish kindle edition by benjamin, ali. Sep 22, 2015 the book s one significant weakness is its lack of diversity. The thing about jellyfish is a 2015 childrens novel written by ali benjamin, her fiction debut.
Death and grief are explored in nongraphic, literary detail. Ali benjamin is a national book award finalist for the thing about jellyfish, and the. The books one significant weakness is its lack of diversity. The book follows suzy swanson, the protagonist and narrator, who theorizes the death of her friend, franny jackson, was caused by a jellyfish. She is a member of new england science writers and has written for the boston globemagazine, martha stewarts whole living, and sesame street. A thrilling alieninvasion novel based on a chillingly nefarious premise. She embarks on this incredible journey and learns about life, death, and love. Itb the thing about jellyfish,how old were suzy and franny when they met. The thing about jellyfish book whatcom county library. The thing about jellyfish book tacoma public library. 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. The thing about jellyfish book olathe public library. 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.
It did keep me turning the pages, because the plot is pretty interesting. Were considering expanding this synopsis into a fulllength study guide to deepen your comprehension of the book and why its important. And i recommend it to anyone who wants a heartwarming caring story. The thing about jellyfish discussion questions death by. This stunning debut novel, a finalist for the national book award, explores how grief can open the world in magical ways.
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. First, it sets the book apart and helps distinguish it from other contemporary realistic fiction. The thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin goodreads. The thing about jellyfish is a sweet sixteen book, my heart leapt even though, i have to admit, i kind of forgot about it. The thing about jellyfish is a 2015 childrens novel written by ali benjamin. But the truth is, it barely even gets you twelve years. Suzy knows better than anyone how franny is a fantastic swimmer. The thing about jellyfish kindle edition by benjamin. Fairfax network fairfax county public schools 732 views. Through netgalley, i had the opportunity to read the thing about jellyfish, by ali benjamin, a middle grade book that will debut midseptember 2015. The thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin was an amazing book. Benjamin points out all the researchers and science referenced in this book are 100% true.
It has the following comprehension and vocabulary unit. 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. She is a member of new england science writers and has written for the boston globe magazine, martha stewarts whole living, and sesame street. Its emotional, sadbuthopeful story is one that young readers will d. Introducing ali benjamin and the thing about jellyfish. Discussion questions for the thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin. Nov 20, 2015 suzy grows and comes to a place of acceptance by the end of the book, but she definitely doesnt go skipping off into the sunset.
It is such a creative story that keeps you connected to the book when you read. The book is about a girl called zu suzy and her best. Most of the story concerns suzys house and her school. Sep, 2015 to be honest, i cant think about this book without disappearing into a puddle of tears. The thing about jellyfish is a fantastic debut novel that is sure to inspire conversations about awkward social moments, grief, and friendship. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin. It was such an easy read and it was a real page turner. Suzy was an amazing character and i could see her becoming a. 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.
The characters are okay, too, and the writing is pretty solid. 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 thing about jellyfish book the indianapolis public. The thing about jellyfish novel unit bundle by esthers. Apr 07, 2016 have you ever read a book that, besides the compelling plot and characters, employs a tone which just pulls you in. One thing i liked is that it played with my emotions and made me feel happy and sad at the same time. The thing about jellyfish, by ali benjamin the new york times. The thing about jellyfish audiobook by ali benjamin.
I snatched it up as quickly as i could and began reading it in earnest that. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the thing about jellyfish. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The horn book lollys classroom the thing about jellyfish. Ali benjamin is a national book award finalist for the thing about jellyfish, and the cowriter for hivpositive teen paige rawls comingofage memoir positive as well as tim howards new york times bestseller the keeper. Beautiful, grieftinged, comingofage story has it all. The thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin a middle grade. This stunning debut novel about grief and wonder was an instant new york times bestseller and captured widespread critic.
Ali benjamins debut novel the thing about jellyfish became an instant classica new york times bestseller, a national book award finalists, and the kind of story that kids who love to feel things gravitate to over and over again. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the thing about jellyfish. 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 i loved this book it is my new favorite. The thing about jellyfish is an amazing book, it gives many different emotions and you can imagine being in the characters situation. After suzys former best friend is lost from a drowning accident, suzy knows something isnt right. The thing about jellyfish ali benjamin, 2015 little, brown books for young readers 352 pp. 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. The thing about jellyfish, book by ali benjamin paperback. 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.
Suzy swanson has always known many things that other people dont. The thing about jellyfish, by ali benjamin little, brown and company, 2015. It is based on the novel the thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin. The one thing she changed was the dates of diana nyads cubaflorida swim. Itb the thing about jellyfish,which jellyfish is the most dangerous in the world. The thing about jellyfish book midcontinent public. Other than anaya, whose name implies she might be south asian, the other characters present white.
Suzanne suzy or zu swanson is the main character and narrator for the novel. My favorite thing about the book is that suzy thought about things instead of going head on into craziness. And before you know it, the book is over and your eyes are misty and youre missing the characters already. The moods this book gave me were anxious, nervous, and excited. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. I wished we hadnt gone any farther out, that we hadnt tried to see ourselves. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The thing about jellyfish is one of those brilliant, heartbreaking novels that take you by surprise.
Mar 26, 2019 the thing about jellyfish, by ali benjamin, was never going to be my favorite book, whether or not i read it on a long day serving as a jury prospect. Get this huge novel unit bundle for the novel for the thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin. 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 book columbus metropolitan. The thing about jellyfish book chicago public library. The thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin, paperback. The thing about jellyfish paperback norwich bookstore. Itb the thing about jellyfish,who is the main character. Simile personal connection metaphor nearby, in a different. 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. This study guide consists of approximately 64 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis.
The book s one significant weakness is its lack of diversity. Buy the paperback book the thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin at indigo. Suzy likes to think about the more important things in life. Now available in paperback, this stunning debut novel about grief and wonder was an instant new york times bestseller and captured widespread critical acclaim, including selection as a. I love all of the references to current events and current things that kids like, but i really liked the way the facts about jellyfish were interspersed throughout the book. In this book, suzy swanson processes the death of her old friend franny and the end of a friendship. The thing about jellyfish, by ali benjamin the new. To put it simply, the thing about jellyfish is an amazing novel that should appeal to readers way beyond its intended middle school audience. A scientific approach to the thing about jellyfish. Editorial content for the thing about jellyfish kidsreads. Do you think this connection was important to the story. Suzy swanson believes that you can become invisible by staying quiet. The thing about jellyfish book denton public library.
What are the results of zus interactions with the other characters. 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. Suzy swanson has always known things that others dont. This resource has differentiated activities that you can use to teach indepth comprehension skills for this novel. She is a member of new england science writers and has written for the boston globemagazine, martha stewarts whole living, and. Introducing ali benjamin and the thing about jellyfish duration. This summary of the thing about jellyfish includes a complete plot overview spoilers included. 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. Ali benjamins comingofage story the thing about jellyfish is reminiscent of the creature in its title transparent, haunting, yet absolutely wonderful. Itb the thing about jellyfish,what exhibit did suzy go to. The thing about jellyfish novel activities unit by esthers.
The thing about jellyfish but 12yearold suzy wont believe it. I think i learned more about jellyfish from reading this book than i did in all of my years as a volunteer at the seattle aquarium. Read the thing about jellyfish by ali benjamin available from rakuten kobo. The thing about jellyfish book central arkansas library system. She successfully captures the anxieties of middle school through suzys confusion and painthe dedication of the thing about jellyfish reads, for curious kids everywhere. She knows there are 150 million jellyfish stings on the planet every year. The thing about jellyfish is an amazing book, it gives many different emotions and you can imagine being in the character s situation. Usually, im annoyed with books that present a dead character in a story and even. Suzanne suzy or zu swanson is the main character and. Mar 03, 2016 kids book read aloudfancy nancy peanut butter and jellyfishkids books read alongannas mom duration. The thing about jellyfish ebook king county library.
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