Dickens & Rumi
Cover of THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH

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THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH

Ali Benjamin

A seventh grader grapples with her friend's unexpected death. (Ages 12 and up)

Ages 11+Source checked

Why this age? Best suited to mature middle-grade readers because it centers on a friend's death, grief, guilt, and difficult friendship changes, while offering accessible science and emotional reflection. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age11+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character5/5
  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Romance1/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Courage & resilience3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character5/5
Why this rating?

Suzy’s childhood best friend dies before the story begins. The loss, grief, and search for answers drive the entire plot, though the death itself is not shown.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Features age-appropriate middle-school language, including minor instances of school-age teasing.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Early adolescent interest in boys and changing social dynamics appear, but romance is not the main focus.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

The death, ocean dangers, and Suzy's anxious theories can be unsettling, but the book is not horror-focused.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

No substantial physical violence is central; the plot involves a suspected jellyfish sting and occasional social cruelty.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Suzy faces grief, social difficulty, and uncertainty while pursuing answers and gradually confronting painful truths.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Suzy's imaginative theorizing, research, questioning, and attempts to connect scientific ideas to personal loss strongly encourage curiosity.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse set of friends and peers common in a contemporary American middle school setting.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

Rich with scientific facts about jellyfish and the process of scientific research.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

The importance of empathy and connection is central to the emotional arc.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong positive messages about grief, scientific inquiry, and the reality that life is messy.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist demonstrates strong curiosity and dedication, though she makes flawed choices common to her age.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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