Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
A marine biologist makes the discovery of a lifetime when called to rescue the inhabitants of a small Maine island being menaced by a giant, glowing jellyfish in this richly imagined, wholly original debut. Dr. Jo Ness prefers jellyfish to people. Her best friend, Aldo, was the exception, but he died seven months ago. So she spends her days hidden away at an underfunded aquarium with her specimens and a draft of the jellyfish guide she and Aldo had been working on together. His voice is alive in the notes in the margins, and it’s enough. Almost. Until she receives a call from Nadia, one of the few other humans she’s loved but whom she hasn’t heard from in years, asking for her help. Nadia tells her a grand tale of a giant jellyfish terrorizing her tiny island off the coast of Maine and sends a grainy video of the creature. Frankly, the footage looks fake, but Jo drops everything to fly across the country to see Nadia again, and to find this supposed sea beast. She couldn’t save Aldo, but perhaps she can help Nadia. But when Jo arrives on Shattering Point, Nadia is nowhere to be found, and the islanders she meets each have something different to say about the creature they’ve dubbed Clementine . . . a jellyfish who changes all who see it. At turns an ode to classic sea monster stories and a vibrant tale of human connection, The Jellyfish Problem is an unforgettable debut that announces a new talent.
Is The Jellyfish Problem appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
A contemplative story about grief, human connection, and scientific wonder centered on a reclusive marine biologist investigating mysterious sea creature sightings. Contains themes of death and loss but handles them gently with no graphic content.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death of a loved one and grief.
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Readers who love gentle mysteries, marine biology, and stories about characters learning to reconnect with the world will be drawn into this emotional sea monster tale.