Jelly

After rising sea levels decimate the world, Martha and a small group of survivors live on the back of a colossal, toxic jellyfish. The plot centers on the group's transition from passive survival to active rebellion as they plot a dangerous escape from their drifting, biological prison. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with trauma and death in a direct yet highly absurdist manner. The loss of the 'old world' is treated as a distant, painful memory, and the threat of death is constant but often joked about. The resolution is realistic and hard won, emphasizing the cost of freedom. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story starts with heavy, stagnant atmosphere, mirroring the characters' depression and boredom. As the escape plan forms, the pace quickens, shifting from apathy to high-stakes tension and hope. IDEAL READER: A teenager who enjoys dark humor and feels 'stuck' in their current life, perhaps struggling with the repetitive nature of school or social structures, and who needs to see that even in the strangest circumstances, action is possible. PARENT TRIGGER: Parents might be concerned by the characters' flippant attitudes toward death or the occasional grim imagery of life in a post-apocalyptic environment. PARENT PREP: Read the chapters regarding the 'traumatic event' memories to help contextualize the characters' current behaviors. The book can be read cold but benefits from a discussion about coping mechanisms. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens will focus on the survival adventure and the 'gross-out' factors of living on a jellyfish. Older teens will appreciate the philosophical underpinnings of agency and the critique of societal stagnation. DIFFERENTIATOR: This stands out due to its bizarre, bio-organic setting. It moves away from the typical 'hero's journey' and focuses on the collective struggle against psychological defeat and the sheer absurdity of their existence.