7-8 Fiction Middle Grade Verse

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Post a Comment

Published: 2021
Author: Lisa Fipps
Genres: YA Realistic Fiction, Novel-in-Verse
Audience: Grades 7–8
Number of Stars: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Goodreads Link: Starfish
Content Warnings: Fat-shaming, bullying, and emotional child abuse/parental berating.

Publisher’s Summary

Goodreads Choice Award – Nominee for Readers’ Favorite Middle Grade & Children’s (2021)
Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this 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.

Full Review

Starfish is one of the most beautiful and impactful books I have ever read. Written in verse, Lisa Fipps’s debut is a heartbreaking yet hopeful story that lingers in your heart long after the final page. It is a perfect recommendation for any student—especially young girls—who has ever felt ashamed of their body or felt the need to hide away.

Ellie is an adorable protagonist: kind, creative, and funny. Her journey toward self-love is catalyzed by her friendship with her new neighbor, Catalina, and the steady support of her father. However, the emotional core of the book involves Ellie’s relationship with her mother, who leaves diet articles on the fridge and constantly reminds Ellie that she isn’t “good enough.” These scenes are difficult to read and may be triggering, but they provide a raw look at the complexities of loving a parent who shames you.

Because it is written in verse, it is a very quick read, making it ideal for reluctant readers. Ellie’s realization that she deserves to “starfish” in real life—to take up space and unapologetically be herself—is a powerful lesson in bravery and strength. This is a vital story for a media-obsessed world.

 

🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections

  • ELA (Novel-in-Verse): Study the impact of poetry versus prose.

    Activity Idea: Why did the author choose verse to tell this story? Pick one poem from the book and “translate” it into a standard paragraph. What is lost in the translation? How does the “white space” on the page reflect Ellie’s feelings?

  • Health & Wellness (Body Image): Discuss the difference between “health-focused” habits and “shame-based” bullying.

    Activity Idea: Analyze the mother’s “diet articles.” Why is this considered emotional abuse rather than helpful parenting? Discuss the concept of Body Positivity versus Body Neutrality.

  • Social-Emotional Learning (Allies & Support): Explore the role of the “Upstander.”

    Activity Idea: Identify Ellie’s “allies” (Dad, Catalina, the therapist). What specific things do they do to “buoy” her up? How can students be an ally to someone being bullied?

  • Psychology (The Impact of Bullying): Research the long-term effects of weight-based bullying on mental health.

    Activity Idea: Discuss the “whale swimsuit” incident. How can one event from childhood shape a person’s entire self-image for years? How does Ellie eventually “reclaim” her love for the water?

Related Posts