Starfish by Lisa Fipps review

Summary

Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this poignant debut novel-in-verse.

Ever 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.

Review

I cannot personally relate to Ellie because Im always 100% mean to the people who are bad. This review is just gonna be from a person who’s been straight sized for most of my life. With that out of the way, lets dive into the review!

How does anyone have the right to tell you how to live just because of your weight?

To be short, starfish broke me. I’ve read other books with bullying, none has been so upfront and open. My heart hurt for Ellie so much i wanted to give her a hug.

Ellie has a kind and gorgeous heart. She writes, has a kind heart that she feels bad when she’s being mean to some of her bullies.

Being fat has made an excuse for her mom, siblings and her classmates to bully her. Ellie doesnt feel sad or bad for being fat, but for being bullied and hated on.

Ellie has problems just like with any other Juvenile fiction MC. Her parents fight, older siblings make fun of her, her best friend is moving and shes making a new friend so shes trying to hold on to both of them.

Starfish is not “just” about bullying. Dont get me wrong because bullying is one of the main themes of Starfish. Starfish is so many things. A book about a 12 year old fat girl finding self love, healing, grief and everything that comes with it.