Starfish by Lisa Fipps

2021 | 256 pages  | 3.5 Hours Audio |  Grades 5-7 

Ellie is in middle school and is bulled every day for her weight. It comes not just from peers at school but also from home. Ellie's mother is always on her case for what she eats and gives her strict rules for food.  Her brother is embarrassed by his sister's appearance.  

Ellie does have some great allies. Even though her best friend has moved, she meets a new girl in her neighborhood and they form a fast friendship.  Ellie's father is also loving and supportive and connects her with a therapist who can help her get through her emotional issues. 

Swimming helps Ellie feel free and weightless.  She can even spread out as much as she likes just like a starfish.  Learning how to do this in her regular life is one of the themes in this book.  She usually wants to make herself as small as possible or even invisible so that others won't make fun of her. 

This book is written in beautiful poetry and is a pretty fast book to read.  Ellie's family is Jewish and her friend, Catalina is Hispanic and those family heritages are also a part of the story. 

I think this book will touch a lot of adults who probably can identify with Ellie.  The author, Lisa Fipps, was encouraged to write this story for middle school instead of her intended young adult audience because this story needs to be told for younger readers.  I think she is a very gifted author and look forward to reading more from her.