This is a book that everyone needs to read. EVERYONE.
11-year-old Ellie has been bullied about her weight for years - ever since she wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash. Since then, she's had to deal with being bullied. She's bullied at school. She's bullied at home. She's bullied by random strangers in other places. She's been bullied so much that she has internalized the words that others have said; she has even created a set of "Fat Girl Rules" that she tries to follow under the belief that doing say will make things better.
While her mother keeps putting Ellie on diets and wants her to have bariatric surgery- AT 11 YEARS OLD!! - her father finally realizes just how bad the bullying has gotten for her and helps by getting her in to see a psychologist while also promising Ellie that he will NEVER allow her mom to force her to get surgery. The growth that Ellie has in counseling, learning that she is allowed to exist and take up space in the world, is amazing to see.
The growth Ellie makes while in counseling is why I think everyone needs to read this book. It is great for anyone who has ever been bullied, but it is also great for people who bully - whether they do it intentionally or not. And this book will help those unintentional bullies realize that their words and actions hurt just as much as intentional bullies.
The audiobook, narrated by Jenna Lamia, was really good. There were several times that I found myself close to or even in tears from what Ellie was going through at 11 years old. The performance by Lamia was powerful and really helped add to the powerful words written by Lisa Fipps. And the most powerful word of all? Starfish. I hope everyone who reads or listens to this book also learns to starfish.
11-year-old Ellie has been bullied about her weight for years - ever since she wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash. Since then, she's had to deal with being bullied. She's bullied at school. She's bullied at home. She's bullied by random strangers in other places. She's been bullied so much that she has internalized the words that others have said; she has even created a set of "Fat Girl Rules" that she tries to follow under the belief that doing say will make things better.
While her mother keeps putting Ellie on diets and wants her to have bariatric surgery- AT 11 YEARS OLD!! - her father finally realizes just how bad the bullying has gotten for her and helps by getting her in to see a psychologist while also promising Ellie that he will NEVER allow her mom to force her to get surgery. The growth that Ellie has in counseling, learning that she is allowed to exist and take up space in the world, is amazing to see.
The growth Ellie makes while in counseling is why I think everyone needs to read this book. It is great for anyone who has ever been bullied, but it is also great for people who bully - whether they do it intentionally or not. And this book will help those unintentional bullies realize that their words and actions hurt just as much as intentional bullies.
The audiobook, narrated by Jenna Lamia, was really good. There were several times that I found myself close to or even in tears from what Ellie was going through at 11 years old. The performance by Lamia was powerful and really helped add to the powerful words written by Lisa Fipps. And the most powerful word of all? Starfish. I hope everyone who reads or listens to this book also learns to starfish.