Skip to main content

Starfish

Image
By

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. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

De la hora del cuento: La letra "F"

By
Cuentos Gustavo: el fantasmita timido Por Flavia Z. Drago Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2020. Libro ilustrado. "Conoce a Gustavo. Él es un fantasma y como a cualquier ser paranormal le encanta hacer lo que le es normal: atravesar paredes, hacer volar objetos y brillar en la oscuridad. También le encanta tocar el violín. Pero Gustavo tiene un problema. Él es muy, muy tímido, y aunque su deseo más grande es tener amigos, nunca se ha atrevido a hablarle a ninguno de los monstruos en su pueblito. Con el Día de Muertos cerca, ¿se atreverá Gustavo a dejar que lo vean?" --Editor Cuentitos ¡Yo sola! Por Sumana Seeboruth y Maribel Castells Concord : Barefoot Books, 2023. Pequeño libro ilustrado. "Yo sola. ¡No, no, no! Puedo hacerlo. ¡Vete, vete, vete! Esta niña no quiere que la ayuden ... hasta que su hermana mayor necesita ayuda. ¡El trabajo en equipo es divertido!" --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "F" El bosque en familia Maisy juega fútbol Lo...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Story Time: The Letter "F"

By
Preschool Time Family of Friends Written by Varsha Bajaj Illustrated by Ishaa Lobo New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025. Picture Book. Isha can't wait for her birthday party. Nani, her fun-loving grandmother, is coming all the way from India to be there! So when Nani has to postpone her trip, Isha is crushed. She no longer feels like celebrating. Fortunately, she has a whole neighborhood of friends to cheer her up, and they all work together to make her day truly special. This moving intergenerational story shows the impact that chosen family can have and is a wonderful reminder to appreciate all the important people in our lives. --Publisher Preschool Time Found By Salina Yoon New York: Walker Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Bloomsbury, 2014. Picture Book. Upon finding a toy rabbit in the forest, Bear tries his very best to return it to its home but by the time its owner appears, Bear has become attached to Bunny. --Editor Toddler Time On All Fours By Gaëtan Dorémus Brooklyn...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Alina in Her Roots

By
Alina in Her Roots Written by Shenaaz Nanji Illustrations by Beena Mistry Toronto, ON : Second Story Press, 2026. J Intermediate. 91 pages. Alina is traveling by herself from her home in Canada to Nairobi, Kenya. But it's more than just a vacation to visit her favorite cousin Safi - Alina is on a secret mission to find her roots. Her family history started in India with her great-great-great-grandparents. Her parents were born in Kenya, then moved to Canada where she was born. She's heard stories about Kenya but wants to know where she fits in and to find what she is missing. Nairobi is a welcoming, vibrant, exciting place where so much feels so different. Alina writes journal entries to her Nani about her experiences, finding ways to make her own stories through matatu rides, trips to the market, a safari, and meals shared with new loved ones. This is a really well-written, cheerful and reassuring realistic fiction about the adventure of exploring different places and cultures...
Post a Comment
Read more