The Thing About Jellyfish: A Story of Grief, Friendship, and Finding Your Voice
The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin is a powerful and poignant middle-grade novel that explores themes of grief, friendship, and finding your voice in the face of loss. The story centers on Suzy, a 12-year-old girl grappling with the sudden death of her best friend, Franny.
Suzy's Journey of Grief and Healing:
Suzy is devastated by Franny's death and retreats into a shell of silence, unable to express her grief or connect with her family. She finds solace in studying jellyfish, fascinated by their mysterious and often misunderstood nature. Suzy believes that Franny's spirit has become a jellyfish, and she embarks on a quest to find her, believing this is the key to healing her own pain.
The Power of Friendship:
While Suzy struggles to cope with her loss, she finds unexpected support in the form of an unlikely friend, Jodi, who is also navigating her own set of challenges. Their friendship, born out of a shared sense of loss and isolation, becomes a source of strength and resilience for both girls.
Finding Your Voice:
Throughout her journey, Suzy discovers the power of her voice. Initially, she feels silenced by her grief, but as she interacts with Jodi and other characters, she gradually begins to articulate her feelings and find her own way of expressing her grief.
Themes Explored:
The Thing About Jellyfish effectively tackles complex themes, including:
- Grief and Loss: The novel authentically portrays the complexities of grief, including anger, denial, and the yearning for connection.
- Friendship: The novel highlights the transformative power of friendship, emphasizing the importance of support and shared experiences.
- Finding Your Voice: The story encourages readers to find their own voice and express their emotions, no matter how difficult they may seem.
- The Nature of Life and Death: Through the symbolic nature of jellyfish, the novel explores the fragility of life and the cyclical nature of existence.
Why You Should Read It:
The Thing About Jellyfish is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with readers long after they finish the final page. It is a story of resilience, friendship, and the power of finding your voice in the face of loss. It is highly recommended for middle-grade readers, as well as adults who are looking for a story that explores the complexities of grief and the human spirit.
