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Ali Benjamin
Age Rec: 6th-8th Grades
Themes: Friendships, Popularity, Grief, Science & Jellyfish
The main character, Zu’s, brother directly states, ‘You couldn’t pay me to go back to middle school.’ This quote sheds light on the themes of popularity and social hierarchies which thread throughout the book. These are universal challenges all kids face, but are particularly difficult for those who are less fluid at navigating social dynamics.
Zu (short for Suzanne) lost her best friend, Franny, to a tragic drowning accident. The impossible nature of accepting childhood death, combined with the fact that Franny was a strong swimmer, leaves Zu searching for answers.
As she struggles to make sense of this horrific loss, she seeks answers in the world of jellyfish. She studies various species all while trying to prove that a rare, venomous jellyfish sting led to Franny’s drowning.
Zu is a middle schooler who is far more fascinated by critters and science than boys and beauty. The year prior to Fanny’s death had been rough, as the two girls had begun to drift apart. The childhood best friends were forging separate paths; Franny was turning into someone she swore she’d never be, hanging out with the “popular” crowd. This novel beautifully captures the delicate dance of trying to maintain old friendships while navigating new ones.
While navigating the loss of Franny, Zu doesn’t want to parrot the responses she thinks people want to hear, so instead, she opts for complete silence. Her scientific knowledge is the lens through which she tries to make sense of things. She researches various jellyfish and scientists around the world who may have the answers.
In an effort to find the information that may give her some peace and solace, she plans a secret trip to Australia to seek out a particular jellyfish expert. This is when it all comes unraveled. But sometimes unraveling is needed to weave a stronger piece to withstand the future.
Ali Benjamin
Age Rec: 6th-8th Grades
Themes: Friendships, Popularity, Grief, Science & Jellyfish
The main character, Zu’s, brother directly states, ‘You couldn’t pay me to go back to middle school.’ This quote sheds light on the themes of popularity and social hierarchies which thread throughout the book. These are universal challenges all kids face, but are particularly difficult for those who are less fluid at navigating social dynamics.
Zu (short for Suzanne) lost her best friend, Franny, to a tragic drowning accident. The impossible nature of accepting childhood death, combined with the fact that Franny was a strong swimmer, leaves Zu searching for answers.
As she struggles to make sense of this horrific loss, she seeks answers in the world of jellyfish. She studies various species all while trying to prove that a rare, venomous jellyfish sting led to Franny’s drowning.
Zu is a middle schooler who is far more fascinated by critters and science than boys and beauty. The year prior to Fanny’s death had been rough, as the two girls had begun to drift apart. The childhood best friends were forging separate paths; Franny was turning into someone she swore she’d never be, hanging out with the “popular” crowd. This novel beautifully captures the delicate dance of trying to maintain old friendships while navigating new ones.
While navigating the loss of Franny, Zu doesn’t want to parrot the responses she thinks people want to hear, so instead, she opts for complete silence. Her scientific knowledge is the lens through which she tries to make sense of things. She researches various jellyfish and scientists around the world who may have the answers.
In an effort to find the information that may give her some peace and solace, she plans a secret trip to Australia to seek out a particular jellyfish expert. This is when it all comes unraveled. But sometimes unraveling is needed to weave a stronger piece to withstand the future.