Starfish, which is author Lisa Fipps' first novel, is a quick read, but it packs a lot into its honest, sad, and hilarious verse. This charming, though at times heart-wrenching novel-in-verse is a story of healing and self-advocacy that readers won't soon forget. The verbal violence tips over into physical when peers remove bolts from Ellie's desk and it collapses on her as she tries to sit down, resulting in minor injury. While this book is ultimately hopeful, verbal abuse in the form of bullying and rejection from family and peers is at times intensely cruel. But the rules aren't protecting her from her bullies, and Ellie realizes if things are going to change, it'll have to start with her. Middle schooler Ellie lives by the "Fat Girl Rules" - don't wear bright colors, don't move so fast that your body jiggles, make yourself as small as possible, and on and on. Parents need to know that Lisa Fipp's novel-in-verse, Starfish, takes on anti-fat bias, bullying, and self-acceptance. Bullying kids call Ellie directly or refer to her as "thing," "lard butt," "big, fat loser," "blubberbelly," and "disgusting whale." Most of the verbal harassment is whale-themed, as when her classmates do things like push other students away as she walks down the hall and say, “Watch out, make way, thar she blows!" and all the students press themselves up against the walls as she passes.ĭid you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
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