Starfish by Lisa Fipps is one of my favorite MG reads, probably ever. This book is so needed for all middle schools, and despite professional review recommendations, I’d put it in my elementary school library as well.
AUTHOR: Lisa Fipps
ILLUSTRATOR: none
SERIES: none
PUBLISHER: Nancy Paulsen Books
PUBLICATION DATE: March 9, 2021
PAGES: 256
GENRE: novel in verse, realistic fiction
SETTING: Dallas, Texas
GIVE IT TO: upper-ES, MS
AWARDS AND KUDOS
- 4 starred professional reviews
- Michael L. Printz Award – Honor (2022)
- Texas Lone Star Reading List (2022)
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Middle Grade & Children’s (2021)
- Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children’s Literature Nominee (2022)
- Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Nominee (2023)
PUBLISHER’S SUMMARY
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.
THE SHORT VERSION
A gorgeous, emotional, and very needed story.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT STARFISH
Ellie’s strong voice. She’s sarcastic and self-deprecating, funny and honest and sensitive. Starfish is told from Ellie’s viewpoint in a verse format. I read author Lisa Fipps’s note at the end about why she chose to write Ellie’s story in verse format, and I totally agree that verse is the best way to tell Ellie’s story. Ellie is a poet herself, after all.
I loved how Starfish doesn’t end with Ellie losing weight. She may or may not ever lose weight; if she does, it will 100% be on her terms. Rather than Ellie conforming to a particular beauty standard, she learns to stand up for herself and be proud of who she is. The way Ellie learns to stand up for herself is awesome, too, because she doesn’t do it by becoming a bully herself. It’s more about informing others what she will and will not tolerate. Love that!
Starfish reminds me a bit of a middle grade version of Dumplin by Julie Murphy. Dumplin also has a thin mother who constantly nags Dumplin about her weight. Both Dumplin and Ellie had an aunt who died because of complications of her weight. The mother-daughter relationship is important in both stories, and both change and grow as the stories continue. Ellie’s mother, however, was particularly terrible to her in a way Dumplin’s wasn’t, and while she does begin to change a bit by the end, I think Ellie’s mother needs some serious counseling. She still has a very long way to go.
Ellie’s mother aside, I did love how her dad was such an advocate for Ellie. He clearly accepts Ellie as she is, and he understands that Ellie struggles with bullying from her mother, older brother, and classmates.
Ellie’s dad argues with Ellie’s mother many times in the story, always to advocate for Ellie. I honestly do not see Ellie’s parents staying married for much longer. The mom is just off the charts with her vitriol toward Ellie and how she allows Ellie’s brother Liam to bully her right there in front of her and does NOTHING at all. Even though she does start to change by the end, I still think she needs the help of a very good counselor. How could any mother say such mean things to her 11-year old daughter?
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I loved every bit of this book. It’s easy to get into and compelling to read. I finished in less than a day.
DIVERSITY
Ellie and her family are white. Ellie’s friend and neighbor Catalina is Latine, as is her large family.
ARTWORK/ILLUSTRATIONS
No illustrations within the book, but I do love that cover!
THEMES
- overweight, weight issues, body image, bullying, family problems, emotional abuse, toxic mothers, friendship, self-acceptance, therapy
LIBRARIANS WILL WANT TO KNOW
- Would adults like this book? YES! I do recommend this book to adults, even if they don’t normally read middle grade books. It’s an eye-opener for everyone, regardless of age.
- Would I buy this for my high school library? MAYBE – Ellie is only in 6th grade, so it is a bit young for high school. But high schoolers will still identify with Ellie and the bullying she endures. The verse format may also appeal to reluctant readers.
- Would I buy this for my middle school library? YES – No reservations for middle school. This book is a must for every middle school library.
- Would I buy this for my elementary school library? YES – Professional reviewers recommend Grades 5-8 for Starfish, but there isn’t any particular content in it that is inappropriate for elementary. I think 4th graders would also love this book, and despite the reviews, I would purchase it for my elementary library.
MATURE CONTENT
- Language: none
- Sexuality: none
- Violence: emotional abuse
- Drugs/Alcohol: talk of weight loss surgery
- Other: bullying, parents arguing in front of kids
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