Jellyfish Age Backwards: Nature's Secrets to Longevity

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Through Suzy's quest to prove her theory, the reader is treated to a handful of fascinating facts about jellyfish. I now know that jellyfish don't have brains, that some species can clone themselves and the various fatal effects of a jellyfish sting. I am sure my new found jellyfish expertise will come in handy someday, but for now they're just making me paranoid of swimming in open water. No more swimsuits for me.

The Thing About Jellyfish is the heartrending tale of Suzy Swanson, a little girl who just encountered the Worst Thing: death. To make sense of her grief, Suzy turns to the wonders of the universe and the dazzling expanse of her imagination. I had a review typed up and the wi-fi crash at the library ate it, and I don't really feel like messing with this much more, so I'm going to go with pros and cons and be done with it. In 2019, Ruth was made an Arts Foundation Laureate, receiving the Mallinson Rendel Illustration Award.

Who discovered immortal jellyfish?

Ali Benjamin wrote a book to be very proud about... she makes science come alive --and has us fall deeply in love with our young narrator. Every year, more people are reading our articles to learn about the challenges facing the natural world. Our future depends on nature, but we are not doing enough to protect our life support system. Pollution has caused toxic air in our cities, and farming and logging have wreaked havoc on our forests. Climate change is creating deserts and dead zones, and hunting is driving many species to the brink of extinction. This is the first time in Earth's history that a single species - humanity - has brought such disaster upon the natural world. But if we don't look after nature, nature can't look after us. We must act on scientific evidence, we must act together, and we must act now. It’s a story that warrants repeated readings, for entertainment and to appreciate the small but mighty hero Jellyfish. Hannah Taylor-Rose, Magpies Although I enjoy religious and spiritual books, I loved how this had the same emotional impact on me without the religious aspect. I was surprised how learning scientific facts about jellyfish, with a bit of philosophical thought thrown in, could be so emotional and thought provoking.

The jellyfish’s mouth is found in the centre of its body. From this small opening it both eats and discards waste. And it serves another purpose, too – by squirting a jet of water from its mouth, the jellyfish can propel forward! Cool, eh? But you like it when I tell you things. You don’t need me to ask you questions. You have never once called what I do constant-talking.In 2019 she was awarded the Arts Foundation Mallinson Rendel Laureate Award, and in 2023 she was University of Otago College of Education Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer in Residence Fellow. I was super excited to read The Thing About Jellyfish because I noticed a review that said "she’s probably on the autism spectrum" though it never explicitly says. I love mental health of this nature and especially autism and asperger's syndrome which I know quite a bit about. And yeah there are some pretty textbook signs that are used in the course of the story. I LOVE jellyfish... Okay, I used to love jellyfish, because this book totally killed that love. I didn't know jellyfish were a menace in the ocean. The facts... or should I say, the HARD TRUTHS about jellyfish all come out in The Thing About Jellyfish. Jellyfish are the villain and we see them from so many "based on real life" facts, including the authorities on jellyfish.

It is a middle-grade novel that centers to Suzy Swanson and her mission to unravel the mystery (or prove her theory) behind her ex-best friend's death. She can't accept the idea of "sometimes, things just happen"-- that her ex-best friend died of drowning when she's a good swimmer. She didn't believe in this. During a school trip in an park full of aquatic animals, she learned about invisible jellyfish. And she assumed that maybe her best friend has been killed by a jellyfish sting. Problem was these signs weren't incorporated the way a person with autism would act. For example, Suzy chooses not to speak for a time and has a very logical reason why she chooses to be silent. Someone on the spectrum may be selectively mute but its not for some "reason." If they are selectively mute its not something that they choose to do and not do. It's about comfort level. It's organic. The way The Thing About Jellyfish portrays selective mutism in autistic children is how you would imagine a child without autism would choose to be silent.Sometimes you want things to change so badly, you can’t even stand to be in the same room with the way things actually are. When the medusa of this species is physically damaged or experiences stresses such as starvation, instead of dying it shrinks in on itself, reabsorbing its tentacles and losing the ability to swim. It then settles on the seafloor as a blob-like cyst. Middle School years are challenging years for kids. My own 34year old daughter says they were the most painful years of her life. -- we've read books on the theme before about 'The awkward years'.... Or 'the bully'...,, or 'friendships falling apart' ....... But you've never read any of them that with the marvels of the jellyfish. You'll be surprised how much you'll learn...'fascinating'!!! You'll read about the scientists Maybe this is what happens when a person grows up. Maybe the space between you and the other people in your life grows so big you can stuff it full of all kinds of lies.” An impressive glow-in-the dark cover sets the tone for this luminous book about an unassuming little jellyfish who discovers she holds considerable power within.

The Thing About Jellyfish is a heartfelt and touching story of grief, acceptance, friendship, family and fitting in. A profound novel with a plausible voice of a girl who grieved of her loss and sought for the answers at the same time.Kelly, Jacqueline (2015-10-09). " 'The Thing About Jellyfish,' by Ali Benjamin". The New York Times . Retrieved 2016-03-09. I will admit that this cover totally sold The Thing About Jellyfish to me. It's melancholy but hopeful... We understand immediately that the jellyfish are a symbol of a greater idea. An adult and a middle grader would be attracted to the illustration, perfect for those buying for a young reader and a young reader both.