Starfish

Books | Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Bullying

4.7

(505)

Lisa Fipps

A PRINTZ HONOR BOOK • Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this poignant novel-in-verse. “In her debut novel, Starfish, Lisa Fipps confronts diet culture and fat phobia head-on. . . . The book reads as if Ellie herself is writing these poems, which are accessible and engaging.”—The New York Times Book ReviewEver since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she's been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules—like "no making waves," "avoid eating in public," and "don't move so fast that your body jiggles." And she's found her safe space—her swimming pool—where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. It's also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie's weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life--by unapologetically being her own fabulous self.

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More Details:

Author

Lisa Fipps

Pages

256

Publisher

Penguin

Published Date

2021-03-09

ISBN

1984814516 9781984814517

Community ReviewsSee all

"I loved everything about this book!!!!!"

Isabella Valente

"This was a good book, but I feel bad for her because her mom isn’t…the nicest person."

Mayo :)

"so raw and heartbreaking, did not expect the emotion behind this one "

Emma Carroll

"This was a beautiful book "

J e

Jeff edonick

"Actual rating: 3.5 stars<br/><br/>I started this book strongly relating to Ellie and all the horrible things said to her. That was (and is) my experience as a fat person. The bullying from classmates, family and medical professionals. I did feel some of the situations were a bit overkill (like the scene in the restaurant with the dad high-fiving the son and the whole lost dog/cake incident) but perhaps the author has experienced those things. I think you can still get the message of the book without those scenes. I also felt the therapy was too quick, as was her mom seeing the error of her ways. In general the book ends where things are just starting to begin for Ellie--figuring out who she is and what she thinks and believes without outsider's opinions put on her. <br/>"

Liesl Prentice

"Great book for body posutivity, would reccomend!"

B S

Bee Simmons-Noel

"Beautiful language, story, and growth in the characters "

Potato

"I devoured this book in around one day. (Of course, I listened to the audio book of it so that wasn't too hard. Also the narrator did a great job! Highly recommend. ) this book gave a great representation of how Ellie felt. And I was so happy and proud of her for learning to strand up to herself and of course learning how to love everything about her. Including what everyone else saw as her flaws. The fact that the other students just sat there and watch all that horrendous bullying happen to poor Ellie really made me wish I could hit some of those characters. And although "enemy #3" turned out to just be projecting I wish he would have been nicer to Ellie and made an effort to be friend with her. I hope this review helped and that you decide to read this book because it will NOT disappoint. I also thought it did a great job on touching on Ellie's insecurities. Definetly earned that five stars!!"

D S

Diana Slaten

"I’ve read this book before and I love it, it helps to know that Lisa had these problems as a kid just like it did. This novel in verse is a good 5th-8th grade book."

Mia Juneau

"The book starfish is amazing. It teaches me a great life lesson that is very valuable I definitely recommend it for people struggling to find their own self."