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Starfish

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By Lisa Fipps
New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2021. Verse fiction.

11-year-old Ellie Montgomery-Hofstein is bullied everyday of her life because she is fat. Ever since her fifth birthday party when she cannonballed into the pool with a massive splash, the kids at Ellie's school and even her mom, brother, and sister bully her relentlessly because of how she looks. The bullying and torment prompts Ellie to create the "Fat Girl Rules" to help her fit in and stay invisible. When her best friend Viv moves away, Ellie feels all alone and without an ally -- especially as her mother's threat of bariatric surgery (which Ellie knows is dangerous) becomes more severe. Fortunately, Ellie's compassionate father notices how upset these words are making Ellie and helps her find a therapist to work through her problems. She also finds a new friend in her new neighbor Catalina, who helps her feel loved and accepted for who she is.

This debut novel is an emotional powerhouse made all the better by Ellie's powerful voice. Ellie considers herself a poet, so it is fitting that this novel is written in verse that allows her voice to shine through. The bullying that Ellie endures -- especially from her own family members -- is pretty intense, but readers will celebrate as Ellie learns to self-advocate and demand that she be treated better. The scenes of Ellie in therapy will be especially helpful for young readers struggling with self-acceptance and not knowing how to defend themselves. This is a triumphant novel about a girl becoming comfortable taking up space in this world. 
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