Even writing about it now, my eyes are all weepy. There’s one scene where he’s just witnessed some of the hurtful things people say to Ellie, and he begins to cry. I loved reading her journey from feeling crushed by shame to finding the confidence and self-love to stretch out and take up space like a starfish.Įllie’s dad is awesome, too. I’ve heard so many great things about this book, and I can for sure say that none of them were exaggerated. 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. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. It’s also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie’s weight will motivate her to diet. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. 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. Published MaAmazon | Bookshop | Goodreads About StarfishĮllie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this debut novel-in-verse.Įver since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she’s been bullied about her weight. Nancy Paulsen Books – Penguin Young Readers
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