Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Written By: Lisa Fipps

Genre: Middle Grade/ Poetry

Synopsis:

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

Format: Hardcover, 256 Pages

Setting: Texas

Awards: Michael L. Printz Award Nominee (2022), Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Nominee (2023), Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature Nominee (2022), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Middle Grade Children's (2021)

Goodreads Rating: 4.47

*Please note, all books are pre-loved, but have been carefully looked through to ensure they are not missing any pages and are in good condition. If there are any visible flaws, these will have been noted in the product photo.