Starfish

Ellie, an 11-year-old girl, faces constant bullying about her weight from peers and family members. She follows "Fat Girl Rules" to minimize drawing attention to herself and finds refuge in her backyard pool, where she can float freely like a starfish. Her parents respond differently to her struggles - her mother pushes diets and weight loss, while her father shows unconditional support. A new therapist and a potential friend at school present opportunities for Ellie to develop her confidence. Through verse novel format, the story follows Ellie as she confronts her tormentors and works to accept herself. The swimming pool serves as both literal escape and metaphor throughout her journey. The book addresses body image, self-acceptance, and the impact of both overt and subtle fat-shaming on young people. Its messages about standing up to bullying and finding one's voice resonate beyond size-specific experiences.

Readers connect deeply with the main character Ellie's experiences of bullying and body shaming, with many noting the book helped them process their own similar experiences. Multiple reviews mention crying while reading. Readers appreciated: - Authentic portrayal of fat-shaming and its impact - Strong supportive relationships with therapist and friends - Messages about self-acceptance without focusing on weight loss - Verse format making it accessible for reluctant readers Common criticisms: - Some found the mother's behavior unrealistic or too extreme - A few felt the resolution wrapped up too neatly - Several mentioned it could be triggering for those with eating disorders Ratings: Goodreads: 4.44/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (1,000+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 5/5 (parents), 4/5 (kids) "This book should be required reading for everyone," notes one top Goodreads review. Multiple teachers report strong positive responses when reading it with students.

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🌟 Author Lisa Fipps worked as a journalist and newspaper editor before becoming a children's librarian and writing her debut novel. ⭐ The book won the 2022 Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature and was named a School Library Journal Best Book of 2021. 🌟 The story's main character, Ellie, uses strategies learned in therapy to cope with bullying—techniques real kids can apply to their own lives. ⭐ The book is written entirely in free verse poetry, making it accessible to reluctant readers while tackling complex emotional themes. 🌟 The starfish metaphor in the title comes from the way starfish can regrow their arms when attacked, symbolizing resilience and healing after trauma.