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Wait time: About 8 weeks
“In her debut novel, Starfish, Lisa Fipps confronts diet culture and fat phobia head-on. . . . The book reads as if Ellie herself is writing these poems, which are accessible and engaging.”—The New York Times Book Review
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.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Awards
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Release date
March 9, 2021 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593341674
- File size: 100196 KB
- Duration: 03:28:44
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- Lexile® Measure: 630
- Text Difficulty: 2-3
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Reviews
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July 1, 2021
Gr 5-8-Eleven-year-old Ellie has been bullied most of her life for being fat. The mean girls are bad enough, but her weight-obsessed mother might unintentionally be her worst enemy-what mother pushes bariatric surgery on her tween? Ellie's best friend is moving away, which means that starting sixth grade alone is only going to be that much tougher. With the gentle encouragement of a new therapist insistently recommended by her trying-to-be-an-ally father, Ellie learns to bravely confront her attackers, including her angrily dismissive brother and less than supportive sister. In finally breaking her own self-destructive "Fat Girl Rules"-Make yourself small. Move slowly so your fat doesn't jiggle-she begins to accept the unconditional love she deserves. Fipps's debut novel in verse finds an ideal collaborator in perennially youthful Jenna Lamia, who resonantly nurtures Ellie from scared to stronger, worried to wow, victim to vibrant. Lamia's evident Spanish fluency also enhances Ellie's growing friendship with her new neighbor, Catalina, and her welcoming Latinx family. VERDICT Fipps's empowering, feel-good title proves to be an ideal antidote to middle school bullying. Libraries will want to stock multiple formats for eager readers.-Terry Hong, Smithsonian BookDragon, Washington, DC
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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