"In her debut novel, Starfish, Lisa Fipps confronts diet culture and fat phobia head-on. Her strength in accepting herself and learning to defy her Fat Girl Rules is an inspiring reminder to all readers that they deserve to 'take up space.'" - Horn Book The truth is, / I'm unhappy because / they bully me / about being fat'). "Ellie's simple and powerful free-verse poems intensify her emotional turmoil and smoothly destroy stereotypes ('They think I'm unhappy / because I'm fat. School guidance counselors, school psychologists, and social workers will appreciate the realistic portrayal of Ellie's therapist and the benefits of therapy for children and adults." - School Library Connection The story is very engaging and readers will not want to put it down. "This beautiful, heartbreaking, and powerful novel-in-verse would pair well with media literacy lessons on body imagery, bullying, and victim shaming. The intense focus mirrors a lot of experience, and readers will be glad to see Ellie eventually 'starfishing-starting to claim my right to take up space.'" - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "In this free-verse novel, Fipps is laceratingly authentic about the kind of 'teasing' and 'help' that Ellie is constantly subject to, and the family dynamic, wherein her father dislikes her mother's treatment but rarely intervenes, is sadly believable. A must-have for libraries serving teens and tweens." - School Library Journal, starred review True joy comes in watching Ellie gain confidence in herself and standing up to the bullies, even when they're family. Ellie's story is heartbreaking and raw at times, and Fipps paints a realistic picture of bullying in a world that equates thinness with beauty. Once readers start, it will be difficult for them to put this book down. "A charming novel in verse about a girl struggling with self-worth. Fipps's use of verse is as effective as it is fitting Ellie dreams of becoming a storyteller and poet 'to help people feel what it's like/ to live in/ someone else's skin.' A triumphant and poignantly drawn journey toward self-acceptance and self-advocacy." - Publishers Weekly, starred review Make room in your heart for this cathartic novel" - Kirkus Reviews, starred review The text places readers in Ellie's shoes, showing how she is attacked in many spaces-including by strangers on public transit-while clearly asserting that it's other people who need to change. "Fipps' verse is skillful and rooted in emotional reality. "Fipps bursts onto the middle-grade scene with her debut, a verse novel that shines because of Ellie's keen and emotionally striking observations.Ellie's story will delight readers who long to see an impassioned young woman seize an unapologetic victory." - Booklist, starred review
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