well-written fast read w/ skillful character development, pace, & substance

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thank you so much Bookish First for an advanced copy of STARFISH by Lisa Fipps. brief synopsis: Ellie has close, meaningful friendships, a talent for writing & studying, & a love for swimming in the pool. But she’s also severely bullied by her classmates, mother, doctors, & society for being fat. set in Texas. written in poetry. well-written fast read w/ skillful character development, pace, & substance. I especially appreciated many parts of STARFISH, but here are a few. (1) while other books like ONE TO WATCH reduced the protagonist to a one-dimensional fat character, STARFISH addresses explicitly during a therapy session that Ellie is has a complex personal identity in addition to being fat. this part is so well-done that I’m struggling to relay it adequately. (2) Ellie’s traumatizing relationship w/ her mother is compelling & well-done- reminded me of POET X. (3) a subtle interfaith twist, as her father is Jewish. (4) best-ever portrayal of therapy in a book by a non-therapist. tbh helped me recover from reading GROUP. notable quotation: “that’s what the best books do / they make you think / and rethink / how you see / yourself / others / and the world.” highly recommend STARFISH by Lisa Fipps — 5 stars