It began with a book. And nine young readers. And Ms. Tricia.
Each in their own way, the nine bright minds pictured above stepped into the story of a girl wanting answers that might have something to do with a jellyfish (The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin). They read the novel separately, in their own homes, in the backseat of their family cars during summer vacation, in their favorite reading nooks or thinking hideaways. And then they stepped into the same room together and began to read again — not just from page 1 to page 343, but jumping around, mucking about, imagining the what-ifs, trying to better understand the characters, tracking how the novel feels and plays and changes each time you read it.
And here’s what they came up with!
The Adventures of Timmy! by Timothy Guan
Just one of Tiffany Guan’s many jellyfish hero comics, Fire and Ice.
William Osborne showing off his piece, Mixed-Up Words.
Front cover of Cynthia Cui’s cut-out flip book.
Page 2 of Cynthia Cui’s cut-out flip book.
‘Jelly’ Fish by Mason Tateosian
Flying Jellyfish by Mason Tateosian
Calvin and Jellyfish by Mason Tateosian
Jelly Washington: The Jelly President by Beau Diede
Jellyfish by Beau Diede
Illyria Komljen with her character sketches.
Illyria Kolmjen’s jellyfish illustrations
If Suzy Went to Australia: An Alternate Tragic Ending by Evita Ravet
Luca Leone in his jellyfish costume, sharing his comic The Thing About Jellyfish and Toasted.
The first panel in The Thing About Calvin and Toasted (1 of 2) by Luca Leone
The first panel in The Thing About Calvin and Toasted (2 of 2) by Luca Leone