Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Audiobook
$0.00
with membership

Hardcover
$11.33

Paperback
$7.18

$11.33 with 37 percent savings

List Price: $17.99

FREE pickup Friday, July 26 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 17 hrs 42 mins

THE UPS STORE

1.27 mi | ASHBURN 20147

How pickup works

In Stock

$$11.33 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Sold by

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Payment

Secure transaction

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Details

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (126) from $1.64

A must read for YA/Middle Grade! My Level 10 Life-Erin & Dusty Branscom

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Lisa Fipps

Follow

Starfish Hardcover – March 9, 2021

by Lisa Fipps (Author)

4.7 1,776 ratings

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$11.33","priceAmount":11.33,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"33","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"n3xcdxkduUhVw65PqLCLiIkl2JRML6W%2B5bjI6MpsezOPbvz97rYWqLzqfm7dERvJTpoIzKFu9%2FSaV1b3jVtAdtixfSl5eguPewcv31QXUb%2FHxIAkZ7b%2FsHC6rIpPGkEJrWvYIC3EMmgMAkhVQn%2Fz7w%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$7.87","priceAmount":7.87,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"7","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"87","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"n3xcdxkduUhVw65PqLCLiIkl2JRML6W%2Bo5zY72oviX7AFlwRY9lIvweCaPvK7Im9pGe%2F5QklvKSiAspM1FhyGHjOtAxQEJtQn%2FiHb7sHTf4FEVHZLJczpUS7kzoH%2FCairFCFrqTaxO6yU7wO9ylyGkuR4WUDVkpL4qAchUbd4l1l0xREHHRuT4IctwkaRNfi","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}],"desktop_buybox_group_2":[{"displayPrice":"$11.33","priceAmount":11.33,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"33","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"n3xcdxkduUhVw65PqLCLiIkl2JRML6W%2B5bjI6MpsezOPbvz97rYWqLzqfm7dERvJTpoIzKFu9%2FSaV1b3jVtAdtixfSl5eguPewcv31QXUb%2FHxIAkZ7b%2FsHC6rIpPGkEJrWvYIC3EMmgMAkhVQn%2Fz7w%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"PICKUP","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":2}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

A Printz Honor winner!

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

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.

Reading age

10+ years, from customers
Print length

256 pages
Language

English
Grade level

5 - 6
Lexile measure

HL630L
Dimensions

5.81 x 0.87 x 8.56 inches
Publisher

Nancy Paulsen Books
Publication date

March 9, 2021
ISBN-10

1984814508
ISBN-13

978-1984814500
See all details

Frequently bought together

$11.33

Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls (Cece Rios, 1)

$7.79

Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26

Only 17 left in stock (more on the way).

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

Playing the Cards You're Dealt (Scholastic Gold)

$9.49

Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

Some of these items ship sooner than the others.

Show details Hide details

Choose items to buy together.

Megan E. Freeman
1,350
Paperback
in Children's Dystopian Fiction Books
$7.59
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Chris Baron
94
Paperback
$7.49
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Christian McKay Heidicker
771
Paperback
Teachers' pick
$8.19
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Lisa Fipps
31
Hardcover
$15.91
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Holly Goldberg Sloan
5,507
Paperback
Teachers' pick
$7.74
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon
Rajani LaRocca
311
Paperback
$8.50
Get it as soon as Friday, Jul 26
FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon

From the Publisher


	Starfish	And Then, Boom!

Customer Reviews	1,776	31
Price	$7.18	$15.91
Check out more from Lisa Fipps:	A Printz Honor Winner! Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this highly acclaimed debut novel-in-verse.	A gripping new novel-in-verse by the author of the Printz Honor-winning Starfish, featuring a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up-A charming novel in verse about a girl struggling with self-worth. Ellie is a middle school girl who is bullied every day for her weight. Whether it comes from classmates, siblings, or even her mother, Ellie is constantly bombarded with comments about her size. Luckily, her friends help keep her head up most of the time. When her best friend Viv moves away, a new friend, Catalina, fits right into her place. Ellie's dad is also an ally; he stands up to Ellie's mom and decides to take Ellie to a therapist. With the help of Dr. Wood, Ellie learns how to feel comfortable in her own skin. Once readers start, it will be difficult for them to put this book down. Ellie's story is heartbreaking and raw at times, and Fipps paints a realistic picture of bullying in a world that equates thinness with beauty. Ellie's own family, except for her dad, also buy into that ideal, calling her "Splash," making fun of her, and cataloguing everything she eats. True joy comes in watching Ellie gain confidence in herself and standing up to the bullies, even when they're family. The race of most characters is not mentioned. Catalina and her family are Mexican American. VERDICT A must-have for libraries serving teens and tweens.-Lisa Buffi, Sterling M.S., VAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

“In her debut novel, Starfish, Lisa Fipps confronts diet culture and fat phobia head-on. . . . The book reads as if Ellie herself is writing these poems, which are accessible and engaging.”—The New York Times Book Review

* “Fipps bursts onto the middle-grade scene with her debut, a verse novel that shines because of Ellie’s keen and emotionally striking observations. As she draws readers in with her smart and succinct voice, Ellie navigates the difficult map of knowing she deserves better treatment while struggling with the conflict that's necessary to achieve it. Fipps hands her young narrator several difficult life lessons, including how to self-advocate, how not to internalization of the words of others, and what it means to defend yourself. Ellie's story will delight readers who long to see an impassioned young woman seize an unapologetic victory.”—Booklist, starred review

* “Fipps’ verse is skillful and rooted in emotional reality. The text places readers in Ellie’s shoes, showing how she is attacked in many spaces—including by strangers on public transit—while clearly asserting that it’s other people who need to change. . . . Make room in your heart for this cathartic novel”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “Affirming representation of fatness. . . . Fipps’s use of verse is as effective as it is fitting; Ellie dreams of becoming a storyteller and poet ‘to help people feel what it’s like/ to live in/ someone else’s skin.’ A triumphant and poignantly drawn journey toward self-acceptance and self-advocacy.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* “A charming novel in verse about a girl struggling with self-worth. . . . Once readers start, it will be difficult for them to put this book down. Ellie’s story is heartbreaking and raw at times, and Fipps paints a realistic picture of bullying in a world that equates thinness with beauty. . . . True joy comes in watching Ellie gain confidence in herself and standing up to the bullies, even when they’re family. . . . A must-have for libraries serving teens and tweens.”—School Library Journal, starred review

“In this free-verse novel, Fipps is laceratingly authentic about the kind of ‘teasing’ and ‘help’ that Ellie is constantly subject to, and the family dynamic, wherein her father dislikes her mother’s treatment but rarely intervenes, is sadly believable. . . The intense focus mirrors a lot of experience, and readers will be glad to see Ellie eventually ‘starfishing—starting to claim my right to take up space.’”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“This beautiful, heartbreaking, and powerful novel-in-verse would pair well with media literacy lessons on body imagery, bullying, and victim shaming. The story is very engaging and readers will not want to put it down. School guidance counselors, school psychologists, and social workers will appreciate the realistic portrayal of Ellie’s therapist and the benefits of therapy for children and adults.”—School Library Connection

“Ellie’s simple and powerful free-verse poems intensify her emotional turmoil and smoothly destroy stereotypes (‘They think I’m unhappy / because I’m fat. / The truth is, / I’m unhappy because / they bully me / about being fat’). Her strength in accepting herself and learning to defy her Fat Girl Rules is an inspiring reminder to all readers that they deserve to ‘take up space.’”—Horn Book

“Readers will rejoice as Ellie gains the strength to confront bullies with intelligence and honesty, and refuses to allow other people’s cruelty to shape her life.”—Padma Venkatraman, award-winning author of The Bridge Home

“This is a big beautiful book about a big beautiful girl. Meet Ellie, who looks in the mirror and sees someone lovable. Now, if only the rest of the world (and especially her own mother and brother) could see what Ellie sees. This is a story about the colossal cruelty that’s hurled at her because of her weight, and how, with colossal strength, Ellie manages to triumph. An honest, heartbreaking, hilarious novel-in-verse from a debut author with a delicious voice.”—Sonya Sones, author of What My Mother Doesn’t Know

“Lisa Fipps’s spot-on verse gives Ellie a wrenchingly real voice that sings with humor, pain, and hope. Prepare yourself: Once you read this book, your heart will never be the same.” —K. A. Holt, author of House Arrest

About the Author

Lisa Fipps is a graduate of Ball State University, an award-winning former journalist, a former director of marketing for a public library (where she won the Sara Laughlin marketing award), and an author of middle-grade books. Starfish is her debut novel. She lives in Kokomo, Indiana.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

FOR JUST A WHILE

I step down into the pool.
The water is bathwater warm
but feels cool
compared to the blisteringly hot air.
Kick. Gliiiiiiide.
Stroke. Gliiiiiiide.
Side to side
and back again.
Dive under the surface.
Soar to the top.
Arch my back.
Flip. Flop.

As soon as I slip into the pool,
I am weightless.
Limitless.
For just a while.

NAME-CALLING

Eliana Elizabeth Montgomery-Hofstein.
That’s my name.

My bestie, Viv,
and my parents call me
Ellie or El.

But most people call me Splash

or some synonym for whale.

Cannonball into a pool,
drenching everyone,
and wear a whale swimsuit
to your Under the Sea birthday party
when you’re a chubby kid
who grows up to be a fat tween
and no one will ever let you live it down.

Ever.

SPLASH IS BORN

Now, whenever I swim,
I use the steps to ease into the water,
careful not to make waves,
because the memory
of my pool party plays
in my head like a video on a loop.

It was my fifth birthday.
I wanted to be the first one in, so
I ran to the edge and
leapt into the air and
tucked my knees into my chest.

Water sprayed up
as I sank down.
I bobbed to the surface,
expecting cheers for
the splashiest cannonball ever.

That didn’t happen.

“Splash spawned a tsunami!”
my sister, Anaïs, shouted.
“She almost emptied the pool,”
my brother, Liam, chimed in.
I dove under,
drowning my tears.

I wish I could tell everyone
how they made me feel that day—
humiliated,
angry,
deeply sad.

But every time I try to stand up for myself,
the words get stuck in my throat
like a giant glob of peanut butter.

Besides, if they even listened,
they’d just snap back,
“If you don’t like being teased,
lose weight.”

FAT GIRL RULES

Some girls my age fill
diaries with dreams and
private thoughts.

Mine has a list of
Fat Girl Rules.

You find out
what these unspoken rules are
when you break them—
and suffer
the consequences.

Fat Girl Rules
I learned
at five:
No cannonballs.
No splashing.
No making waves.

You don’t deserve
to be seen or heard,
to take up room,
to be noticed.

Make yourself small.

WHAT, WHY, WHO, HOW, WHEN

The first Fat Girl Rule
you learn hurts the most,
a startling, scorpion-stinging soul slap.

Something’s changed, but you don’t know
what.
You replay the moment in your mind from
every possible angle, trying to understand
why.
Why the rules exist and
who.
Who came up with them and
how.
How does anyone have the right to tell you
how to live just because of your weight?

Mostly, you remember the smack of
the change.
One minute you were like
everybody else, playing around, enjoying life,
and then,
with the flip of an unseen cosmic switch,
you’re the fat girl,
stumbling,
trying to regain your balance.
Acting as if you know what you’re doing, like
when
you used to play dress-up
and tried to walk
in high-heeled shoes.

THE GIFT

Every time I see a pudgy preschooler,
I want to hand her my list,
like the answer sheet for a test,
to spare her the pain of learning
the rules firsthand.

But instead,
I give each girl the gift
of more days,
weeks,
and months
of a normal life.

Whatever that is.

BELLIES DANCING

Viv’s mom caught her dad with
another woman and said Texas
wasn’t big enough for the three of them.
So now my best friend has to move
to Indiana.

In my backyard, we livestream
the Latin Music Festival
on an outdoor screen
as part of her going-away party.

Viv starts belly dancing
like she learned in a class at
the Dallas Public Library,
where her mom was a librarian.
I follow her lead and
our arms morph into snakes
as our hips figure-eight.

My dog, Gigi, a pug,
runs circles around us as
we sing at the top of our lungs
along with the bands and
dance with complete abandon,
like you do when you’re alone in your room
trying out some new moves
or making up some of your own.

Except it turns out
we’re not
alone.

THE NEW NEIGHBOR

Mid-twirl, I open my eyes to see
a girl’s head pop up over the fence,
then disappear and reappear.

This trampoline girl
saw me shake parts of me
I didn’t even know I had.

“What do you think you’re doing?”
I stop dancing so fast
I about give myself whiplash.

I see her head again.
“IheardDíasDivertidos.”
She says it so quickly it’s like one word.
She disappears and reappears.
“Couldn’thelpmyself.”
In a flash,
she climbs over the fence
and lands in front of me.
“I’m Catalina Rodriguez.”

A POET AND A MUSICIAN

Catalina points to the concert on the screen.
“Wow! So you like Días Divertidos, too?
I have all their songs on my playlist.”

“Me too,” I say.

“Who else do you listen to?”

“Don’t get Ellie started.”
Viv rolls her eyes.
If eye-rolling were an Olympic sport,
she’d be a gold medalist.

“I’m a poet, so
I love music because
lyrics are sung poems,” I say.
“Rap and country are my faves.”

“I’m a guitarist,” Catalina says.
“I like all music but love Latin.”

She chooses her words carefully, like me.
But she’s not like me.
Catalina’s skinny
like a pancake.
I’m more like a three-tiered cake.

My fatdar should be sounding the alarm.
Why isn’t it?

THE THING ABOUT FATDAR

Fatdar is a lot like
Spider-Man’s Spidey sense,
a sixth sense.

Somehow we just know when
someone’s about to say
something hurtful or
do something mean.

Even in a crowd,
I can spot a fatphobe,
someone who’s grossed out
by overweight people.
Fatphobes give off this vibe.
Part discomfort.
Part shock.
Part fear.
Part anger.

And all hatred.

SHADOWS

“ ‘Baila conmigo’!”
Catalina shouts as the next song starts
and she dances with us.

“Teach me that one move, Ellie,” she says.
“Which one?”
“The one where you were
kinda kicking your leg
while you spun.”

When I dance
knowing Catalina’s watching,
I feel every pound of my legs,
see my fat shake,
and notice how round
my shadow on the grass is
next to her angles,
so I stop.

Fat Girl Rule:
Move slowly so
your fat doesn’t jiggle,
drawing attention to your body.

But that uncomfortable-in-my-own-skin feeling
fades as the music blares
and Catalina squeal-screams,
going all bananas with us,
during the tribute to Selena.

If dance partners were food,
Catalina and I would be
peanut butter and jelly.
Cookies and milk.
Chips and salsa.
We’re different, but
make a perfect combo,
heads, hips, and hands
moving in sync.

Right on cue as the sun sets,
the katydids start their singing,
fast and furious since
their tempo’s based on heat
or maybe Selena’s bidi-bidi-bom-bom beat.

“Catalina, dale las buenas noches
y ven a casa,” a woman’s voice calls out.
“Gotta go,” Catalina tells us.
“Thanks for letting me crash your party.”

She climbs back over the fence,
then trampolines.
“Can’twaittocomeoveragain.”

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nancy Paulsen Books (March 9, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1984814508
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1984814500
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10+ years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL630L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 6
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.81 x 0.87 x 8.56 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #59,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #110 in Children's Books on Bullying
- #285 in Stories in Verse

Customer Reviews:
4.7 1,776 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Lisa Fipps

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Lisa Fipps is an award-winning former journalist and an author of middle-grade books. STARFISH is her debut novel.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

1,776 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Customers say

Customers find the writing style very well written and emotional. They also say the themes are deep, thoughtful, and brutally honest about the realities of growing. Readers describe the storyline as empowering, riveting, heartbreaking, and inspiring. They say the book has a wonderful message for middle grade readers.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

Writing style Intended readership Themes Emotional storyline Storyline Characters

33 customers mention "Writing style"33 positive0 negative

Customers find the content very well written, amazing, and emotional. They also love the free verse and realism. Readers describe the book as compelling, brutal, riveting, heartbreaking, and inspiring. They mention that it shows the best in people and is incredibly cathartic.

"I loved this book, the content is very well written and it addresses topics that could be a bit touchy in an excellent way...." Read more

"...I could go on and on because I enjoyed the amount of descriptive verse on each page that captured Ellie’s words perfectly of how she felt about her..." Read more

"...An emotional read for sure" Read more

"...The writing is beautiful and poetic. I cried with Ellie and cheered for her as she began to find her power...." Read more

23 customers mention "Intended readership"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good read for middle schoolers, and a quick but important read. They also say it's a wonderful debut novel by Lisa Fipps, and great for children and even adults to learn what it'll be like to be a teenager.

"...It’s also quite easy to read and it can encourage kids to read chapter books because it does not take a long time to read...." Read more

"Man, where was this book when I was growing up!? A fantastic read for everyone, my fifth grade daughter told me about it after her teacher and..." Read more

"...I wish every teacher and student would read this wonderful book!" Read more

"Starfish is a sad , but wonderful book about a young girl coming of age...." Read more

20 customers mention "Themes"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the themes in the book compelling, brutal, and hopeful. They also love the truth, honesty, and reality of Starfish3. Readers also say the book saves lives and makes for good discussion.

"...-old, so probably not the target reader but I loved this book and its message. Engaging believable characters and an important message...." Read more

"This is an insightful story about the struggles of being an overweight child and how society doesn’t see the damage making jokes about weight can..." Read more

"...This book can be a powerful conversation opener. There are hard and big feelings explored and they can be triggering." Read more

"...to the power of words, the power of therapy and the power of knowing your self-worth." Read more

8 customers mention "Emotional storyline"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the emotional storyline empowering, riveting, heartbreaking, and inspiring. They also say the book is sad but wonderful.

"...I love this book! Lisa Fipps' book is beautiful, but also heart-breaking, especially because many of the things that happened to Ellie happened to..." Read more

"Starfish is a sad , but wonderful book about a young girl coming of age...." Read more

"...to stop reading at 4 different points of this book, because it made me so deeply sad and was so relatable to feelings I’ve had in my life...." Read more

"This book was heartbreaking and heart warming all at the same time...." Read more

5 customers mention "Storyline"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline wonderful with a great message for middle grade readers.

"Ellie’s story is important, empowering, and beautifully written. I wish I’d had this book when I was Ellie’s age...." Read more

"This book was really awesome and my daughter loved it. It has a wonderful storyline about how you should accept people for who they are and not..." Read more

"This is a wonderful story with a great message for middle grade readers...." Read more

"...Thank you Lisa for writing this gorgeous story- your words will stay with me! If you haven’t read STARFISH, you should!" Read more

3 customers mention "Characters"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters engaging and believable.

"...Engaging believable characters and an important message. I won’t soon forget Ellie!" Read more

"...Ellie is a strong character, and I am happy that she has people who see her for who she is and are doing everything to take her out of the lousy..." Read more

"...There are strong characters that made my emotions run the gamut...." Read more

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Val

Great Book

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2024

Verified Purchase

I loved this book, the content is very well written and it addresses topics that could be a bit touchy in an excellent way. It’s also quite easy to read and it can encourage kids to read chapter books because it does not take a long time to read. A professor introduced this book to be at my college since I’m a childhood education major.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

heartfelt and engaging

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book was recommended in a fiction club that I am a part of and I read it in one afternoon. I’m 43 years-old, so probably not the target reader but I loved this book and its message. Engaging believable characters and an important message. I won’t soon forget Ellie!

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mary E. Haque

I appreciated Ellie’s places of freedom away from the bullies, not to mention family members!

Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2022

Verified Purchase

My heart goes out to Ellie who lives by her list of Fat Girl Rules to endure everyday life. Her siblings do not help matters as her sister nicknamed her splash (from a big splash she made when she jumped in a pool) and a brother who never stops his snide comments about Ellie’s weight! What struck me most was her mom who constantly looked for remedies for Ellie’s weight and even went as far as taking her to the doctor and she never stopped pointing out Ellie’s eating habits. They never asked Ellie how SHE felt and I was happy her dad, at times, stuck up for her along with her friend’s family next door who accepted Ellie for who she was. I appreciated Ellie’s places of freedom and peace away from it all, like floating in her swimming pool, spread out like a Starfish – her own spot to just BE. Heartbreaking to say the least what Ellie goes through at school with fat shaming bullies and just plain mean kids and I cheered her on as I turned the pages with titles such as, Life Saving Librarians, Shattering Stereotypes and the best one, What Do I Want?! (My favorites pages)
All Ellie wanted was to be seen, heard and treated like a human.
I was ecstatic when Ellie took steps with her new therapist to help herself (Weight of Words) and she slowly came around with learning to be heard and realize her actual value. (One of the best parts was when she finally got her words out to her mom). I loved the fact that she had her notebook to spill her words of pain out and confront so valiantly. I could go on and on because I enjoyed the amount of descriptive verse on each page that captured Ellie’s words perfectly of how she felt about her self, her weight, and most of all -how others made her feel.
A great read Lisa(!) and what a lifeline you’ve supplied to so many in this wonderful heartfelt book! Bravo -

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Traci L

A must read for all middle schoolers

Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2024

Verified Purchase

This is an insightful story about the struggles of being an overweight child and how society doesn’t see the damage making jokes about weight can have. I appreciate the therapist sessions and how the advice can help readers as well as play aN important role in Ellie’s progress toward accepting herself. I also thought it was good to realize that she had issues seeing beyond her struggles to realize others were struggling. An emotional read for sure

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mackenzie VanWarmerdam

Book for All

Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024

Verified Purchase

This book is a must read for anyone that has never felt less than or unseen. It’s what 12 year old me needed and what 31 year old me loved.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Stephanie S. Leslie

Wow

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024

Verified Purchase

Man, where was this book when I was growing up!? A fantastic read for everyone, my fifth grade daughter told me about it after her teacher and librarian told her about it. I loved it and can't wait for my daughter to read it!

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2024

Verified Purchase

Really enjoyed the book. I’ve cried reading it. This book was such an amazing cathartic release as I would stop at parts to push pass my bs past from my own mother putting me on all kinds of diets and asking if I’d want surgery for my ears to look like all the other normal children. Definitely identified with this character as I also fell in love with writing and poems and relying on it for an escape from my reality, just felt heard and not alone while having the exact same emotions just wow. Looking forward to finding anymore books from her.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

LMS

Wonderful

Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2023

Verified Purchase

I first heard about this book through a Facebook ad. I was a bit hesitant to read it for a couple reasons: I am WAY older than the intended audience and I wasn’t too sure about the prose as verse writing style.

But this book tugged at my heart strings. I was bullied in elementary and middle school as well. I was pinched, hit, and kicked. My books were knocked out of my hands. I was called Brace Face and 4 Eyes. Rumors were spread about me. It was pretty much non stop from the time I started school until I left for the day. My parents had no idea how bad it got. It was numerous different people. Trying to stand up to the bullies or protect myself did no good. So after awhile o just took it. I wasn’t bullied for my weight. But bullying is painful regardless.

I am also a writer and a poet. So I definitely related to Ellie that way. I also have a very complicated relationship with my mother.

I also love how this book portrays going to counseling as something normal. No different than going to a doctor for a physical problem. I learned a lot from sitting in on Ellie’s therapy sessions. I also love her friendship with Catalina and how she and her family accept Ellie no questions asked.

I also love that Ellie has a pug. I love pugs so much, so I loved that part of the story.

It was so encouraging to see Ellie learn to love and accept herself. She learns to reclaim her power. She refuses to let the bullies or her mother determine her worth. Even though this is technically a children’s book, I think it should be required reading for everyone regardless of age. I love this book so much. It will stay with me for a long time.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

eddstello

A gem

Reviewed in Mexico on July 27, 2022

Verified Purchase

Written in verse, STARFISH is a fast read 'cause even when it comes to tough topics like bullying and fat-shaming, it does so in such a unique way that you quickly connect with Ellie, the protagonist, and the way she copes with the painful situations in her life. It is very hurtful to realize that sometimes insecurities and fears are born at home, the place where we should feel protected and loved. I am sure that both Ellie and her story will remain in my heart forever. A magnificent debut novel by Lisa Flipps. ⭐️

andy

Wholesome and empowering

Reviewed in Canada on November 27, 2021

Verified Purchase

I wish books like this were out when I was a kid, this book is so cute and powerful. The reading comprehension is not too hard, the pages are small and would be very great for students in middle school and high school. It’s really enjoyable.

Varsha

Powerful

Reviewed in India on June 26, 2024

Verified Purchase

On nearly any list of “must-read” verse novels for middle-graders, I come across Starfish. I finally read it, and I completely understand why it’s on so many lists. There are so many things — some small, some big — that make this book special.

Twelve-year-old Ellie has Fat Girl Rules to protect herself. She must never draw attention to the way her body jiggles. She should try to be invisible, never make waves. She even holds a pillow in front of herself without even realising it to hide her body as best she can.

She knows, however, that her problem is not her being fat. Rather, it is how other people make her feel because she is fat. And the other people, unfortunately, start with her family. Specifically her mother who uses fridge magnets to draw Ellie’s attention to articles about losing weight. And her brother, who loses no opportunity to mock her or look at her with disgust.

When Ellie’s best friend moves away, she feels lonelier than ever, but I love books that don’t spiral into doom and gloom. Starfish is such an optimistic book!

In her note at the end, Lisa Fipps says that she originally envisaged this story as a young adult novel. It was her editor who suggested that she should rewrite it as a middle-grade read so that it could empower young people who struggle with fatphobia. And I love that she did it!

From making a new friend to discovering love in a new family, Ellie’s journey through the story just becomes bigger and better. With help from a brilliant, quirky therapist, Ellie learns to come to terms with what she wants. She begins to understand how she can defend herself without attacking someone else. And most importantly, she learns to stand up for herself.

What a lovely, powerful book Starfish is!

Fiona J. Gaunt

Very good

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2023

Verified Purchase

This middle grade novel about a young girl who struggles with her weight is heart wrenching but finally, heart warming as she learns to accept herself.

A

Incredible

Reviewed in Canada on November 24, 2021

Verified Purchase

This book is excellent for addressing body shaming in a non threatening way!

See more reviews

Image Unavailable

Follow the author

Starfish Hardcover – March 9, 2021

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may ship from close to you

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Review

About the Author

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Product details

Videos for this product

A must read for YA/Middle Grade!

About the author

Lisa Fipps

Customer reviews

Customers say

Reviews with images

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Prime includes:

Follow the author

Starfish Hardcover – March 9, 2021

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may ship from close to you

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Review

About the Author

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Product details

Videos

Videos for this product

A must read for YA/Middle Grade!

About the author

Lisa Fipps

Customer reviews

Customers say

Reviews with images

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries