Starfish

by: Lisa Fipps

Ellie has been bullied because of her weight since she was five. She had worn a whale swimsuit to her fifth birthday party and made a big splash in the pool. To avoid more bullying, she came up with the Fat Girl Rules, "no making waves," and "avoid eating in public," and "don't move your body so fast that it jiggles." But she's found her space. Where she can escape and be weight-less: The swimming pool. In the water, she can spread herself out like a starfish and take all the room she wants. The pool is also where she can escape her her pushy mom, who seems to think that criticizing Ellie's weight will motivate her to lose weight. Thankfully, she has allies in her dad, her new friend Catalina who likes her for who she is, and her therapist. "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." (from book summary)

What I Thought:

This is a book written in verse , a style I don't normally read in. Nonetheless, it was written beautifully and the book was written in a way where you felt connected. As for the characters, I couldn't be more disgusted with the mom, (who bullies their child?) and her brother (you already know she is being made fun of in school, why do it at home?!?) I wanted to reach through the pages of the book and scold them. The book Starfish is amazing and I definitely recommend you to read it.