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Reviewed by: Alicia DiFranco, Middle School Librarian Title: Starfish Author: Lisa Fipps
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Year: 2021 Good for Grades: 6-8 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic, Novels in Verse
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: contains bullying/ fat shaming
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: Recommended by John Schu in The Gift of Story
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
It's a pleasure to watch Ellie learn to stretch herself and how to occupy her space in the world.
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Review:
Twelve-year-old Ellie has struggled with weight issues her whole life. She is given the nickname “Splash” at her 5th birthday party and it has followed her all the way to middle school where she faces constant bullying from her classmates. To make matters worse, her thin mother is constantly putting her on diets, taking her to different doctors to “fix” her and even suggests dangerous bariatric surgery. Ellie has developed her Fat Girl Rules as a way of coping with her size. She finds comfort in her friend Viv, her loyal pug, and swimming solo in her backyard pool. It is here that she feels free, can spread herself out and feel weightless. When Viv has to move, bullying becomes even worse at school and Ellie is finding it even harder to follow her Fat Girl Rules. With the help of Catalina, a new girl next door, a psychiatrist who “gets” her and a supportive Dad, Ellie comes to realize that she can stand up to the bullies both at school AND at home, and that there is a space for everyone no matter their size. This is a great middle school read for both those who feel self-conscious about themselves and those who should be more thoughtful about how they treat their classmates. This is a great book club/ lit circle book as it would spark conversations about the school and classroom environments. Highly recommend!
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