That Thing (10 Stories to Make a Difference)

High school student Jayla never expected to be doing an internship – they’re for wealthy students with the right background, or so she thinks. But as a prizewinner in an academic competition, she finds herself spending her summer at an aquarium, and can’t wait to research the behaviour of the resident giant octopus Frazier. However when she becomes accidentally trapped in a tank with another intern, something astonishing happens as Frazier provides a lesson in the value of curiosity and kindness to animals.

For readers aged 10 and up, That Thing suggests that our indifference to other animals also reflects how we treat each other. Written by debut writer Avital Balwit, this thought-provoking story is brought to life with watercolour washes from award-winning illustrator Alexis Deacon. The book is part of Pop Up Projects’ 10 Stories to Make a Difference collection. The collection features a mix of well-known and emerging writers and illustrators, giving a platform to untold stories and diverse new voices. This edition is a beautiful clothbound hardback.