[Steeplechase and BWF] Spineless by Juli Berwald- 3.5 stars

[Jen K]

3.5 stars rounded up because it is important work and I appreciated the research and the advocacy. Berwald took a marine class during her study abroad in Israel and was hooked. Her studies continued to pursue marine biology but due to real life eventually focused into an obsession with jellyfish. When prompted to do something that matters, Berwald took on the task to share the story of jellyfish especially in the context of current climate change challenges and pollution. She seeks out experts in the field, attends conferences and attempts the allusive chase for jellyfish blooms. Much is learned on her journey about jellyfish and ocean science in general. Jellyfish hitch rides on ships invading areas that had never held the species and they make use of the plastic in the sea to lay their eggs to grow their polyps but they also support the ocean ecosystem possibly even as a keystone species.

The research done by Berwald was really impressive especially as a persistent side project. She has done well to publish and advocate for both jellyfish and ocean ecosystems. While some of the memoir part was a lovely foil to the research especially Peanut, Butter and Jelly, other comments felt dated and unnecessary to story of jellyfish.

Steeplechase: Nature x 94
BWF Tenacious Trailblazers: Letter S only