Ali Benjamin

Ali Benjamin is an American author based in Williamstown, Massachusetts, who gained recognition for her work in both young adult fiction and collaborative non-fiction. Her breakthrough came with "The Thing About Jellyfish," a novel that became a National Book Award finalist and New York Times Best Seller in 2015. The success of "The Thing About Jellyfish" led to its acquisition by Reese Witherspoon's production company for film adaptation. The novel, which follows a young girl's scientific investigation into her friend's drowning, has been noted for its potential to inspire young women to pursue STEM fields. Benjamin has also established herself as a successful co-author, collaborating on significant non-fiction works. Her co-writing credits include "The Keeper: The Unguarded Story of Tim Howard" (2014) and "Positive: A Memoir" (2014) with Paige Rawl, the latter becoming the first non-fiction selection for The Today Show book club. Her writing style combines scientific inquiry with emotional depth, stemming from her original attempt to write a non-fiction book about jellyfish for adults. The success of "The Thing About Jellyfish" has been reinforced by positive reviews from major publications, including Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly, with the New York Times naming it one of the notable children's books of 2015.

Readers consistently praise Benjamin's ability to blend scientific facts with emotional storytelling in "The Thing About Jellyfish." Parents and teachers report the book resonates with middle-grade readers dealing with loss and friendship challenges. Readers appreciate: - Accurate scientific content that engages young readers - Natural portrayal of grief and healing - Complex characters that reflect real pre-teen experiences - Clear, accessible writing style Common criticisms: - Some find the pacing slow in the first third - Adult readers note predictable plot elements - A few mention the scientific details can overwhelm the narrative Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,200+ ratings) One reader notes: "My 12-year-old didn't want to put it down and started researching jellyfish after finishing." Another writes: "The science feels forced at times, but the emotional core rings true." Benjamin's adult novel "The Smash-Up" receives more varied reviews (3.5/5 on Goodreads), with readers split on its political commentary and modern marriage themes.

The Thing About Jellyfish (2015) A middle-grade novel following 12-year-old Suzy Swanson as she investigates whether a rare jellyfish species could be responsible for her friend's drowning.

The Keeper: The Unguarded Story of Tim Howard (2014) A co-authored autobiography chronicling soccer goalkeeper Tim Howard's journey from his New Jersey childhood to becoming a professional athlete while managing Tourette's syndrome.

Positive: A Memoir (2014) A co-authored memoir with Paige Rawl documenting her experiences growing up HIV-positive and facing bullying in school.

Rebecca Stead writes middle-grade novels that blend science and emotional journeys with mystery elements. Her work "When You Reach Me" explores complex themes through the lens of time travel and childhood friendship.

Kelly Barnhill creates stories that merge scientific concepts with magical elements in middle-grade fiction. Her book "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" combines natural phenomena with personal discovery in ways similar to Benjamin's approach.

Katherine Applegate focuses on young characters processing loss and change through connections to the natural world. Her novel "The One and Only Ivan" examines grief and friendship through the perspective of a gorilla studying human behavior.

Jacqueline Woodson crafts stories about young people navigating personal loss and identity formation. Her work "Brown Girl Dreaming" explores memory and childhood experiences through carefully structured narrative techniques.

Sharon Creech writes about children processing grief and family dynamics through scientific or artistic pursuits. Her novel "Walk Two Moons" follows a protagonist who, like Benjamin's characters, uses observation and investigation to understand loss.