Hi y’all!

Happy true summer! Wow it is suddenly really hot out and I have to admit that I am not a fan. Give me all the fall vibes — cooler weather, changing leaves and pumpkin everything. We just got back from an truly magical vacation visiting my grandma. It was so wonderful to be with her and so relaxing. Without meaning to, I took a little blog hiatus which I find always helps me come back to my reading and blogging life with more determination and excitement!

Today I am here with a review of Starfish by Lisa Fipps. We read this for book club a few months ago and I loved it. Such a moving, powerful, important book!

Book Summary: “Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this debut novel-in-verse.
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.”

I loved the novel in verse style, one of my favorite literary tropes. There is something extra powerful about writing a story in verse. And this is done exceptionally well. I always love books in verse and this was a beautiful addition to that style for me. The story is very powerful and poignant because of the novel in verse form. The ways the words are falling from line to line show Ellie’s emotions and hurt in unique and moving ways. I particularly liked the titles of the verses. They shared poignant details about Ellie’s story while also being concise.

This book tackles difficult issues, especially intense bullying but also offers beautiful lessons about where worth comes from. There is intense bullying without easy answers in this book. My mouth fell open several times, and I also was shocked by where the bullying came from — classmates, her brother, even her mother. I could hardly believe the conversations she had to endure especially about surgery. That is contrasted with Ellie’e journey to find her own worth and not be dictated by what others believe about her. There are beautifull lessons for us all about self esteem, personal worth, how to defend without striking back, having difficult conversations, and finding people who care for you no matter what. I loved the people Ellie finds that help her see her inherent worth and grow in her self confidence.

My favorite elements were the connections Ellie made with others that helped her find her own confidence and strength to defend herself. Ellie has a lot of difficult things in her life. She has endured so much and from people who should be her defenders. But she also has some true advocates and I loved seeing how she interacts with her dad, Catalina (friend and new neighbor) and her therapist who is incredible! I was blown away by the ways she teaches Ellie about self esteem, defending yourself, understanding hurt and trauma and feeling beautiful. These people truly change Ellie’s life for the better and they make this book a beautiful story.

I loved this book and the incredible conversations it sparked for our group. It tackles tough issues with grace and beauty. This is an important and moving book!

What books have stuck with you for their powerful, important messages?
What stories about bullying have moved you?