Cover Image for Starfish

Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this poignant debut novel-in-verse.

Starfish

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"This is a big beautiful book about a big beautiful girl. . . An honest, heartbreaking, hilarious novel in verse from a debut author with a delicious voice." —Sonya Sones, award-winning author of What My Mother

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.

Estimated Ship Date for Winners: December 14th, 2020

Author

Lisa Fipps

Lisa Fipps is a library marketing manager. Starfish is her debut novel. She lives in Kokomo, Indiana.

Book Details

Publisher Penguin Teen
Genre Middle Grade
Publication Date Mar 09 2021
ISBN 9781984814500

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