"Does everybody
make somebody
feel like a nobody?"
Using humor and a huge dose of heart, Lisa Fipps bestows on us this wonderfully powerful novel in verse about Ellie, a middle schooler bullied (worst of all, by her mom) for her weight.
There is so much to love in here that I don't know where to start putting my thought to the page. I love Ellie's quiet strength as she fights to learn how to defend herself. I want to hug her close and shield her from all her mom's venom and her classmates' taunts, but there's such a great message for kids to learn how to stand up for themselves in a positive way. Also for adult readers--our words and actions, and indeed our inactions, can have a huge impact.
I also really like the overall message of acceptance. It's not just a book about a girl struggling with her weight, but other ways we look down on and stereotype people. And hopefully it will help readers be kinder to one another.
As far as technical things go, the format is great. As a novel in verse, Fipps sets a new scene on just about every page with its own separate poem. It makes for an easily digestible story that would be great for struggling or reluctant readers.
make somebody
feel like a nobody?"
Using humor and a huge dose of heart, Lisa Fipps bestows on us this wonderfully powerful novel in verse about Ellie, a middle schooler bullied (worst of all, by her mom) for her weight.
There is so much to love in here that I don't know where to start putting my thought to the page. I love Ellie's quiet strength as she fights to learn how to defend herself. I want to hug her close and shield her from all her mom's venom and her classmates' taunts, but there's such a great message for kids to learn how to stand up for themselves in a positive way. Also for adult readers--our words and actions, and indeed our inactions, can have a huge impact.
I also really like the overall message of acceptance. It's not just a book about a girl struggling with her weight, but other ways we look down on and stereotype people. And hopefully it will help readers be kinder to one another.
As far as technical things go, the format is great. As a novel in verse, Fipps sets a new scene on just about every page with its own separate poem. It makes for an easily digestible story that would be great for struggling or reluctant readers.