Really great start to this book showing all of Ellie's fears & feelings being a heavier weight than the other kids in school. Think it's really important for others to become more aware realizing how words & actions can affect a person's psyche, this book is a good way to show it. My best friend of many years actually told me of having similar "rules" along with hearing the "if only you lost weight" statement throughout her life, wish this book had been around when she was young.