STARFISH

STARFISH by Lisa Fipps

Starfish is one of my Top Picks for 2024. Even though it was written a couple of years ago, it is new to me and a fabulous read.

 Told in verse form (DO NOT LET THAT STOP YOU FROM CHECKING THIS BOOK OUT!), Starfish is the story of Eliana Elizabeth Montgomery-Hofstein better known as "Ellie." Ellie is a kid who has been made fun of for her weight since she was 5 years old. Strangers approach her and make comments, but even more difficult than that is her own family. Ellie's mom and siblings are constantly putting her down, and now her mom wants her to have surgery despite the risks

With the help of a therapist, Ellie learns how to confront people, including her own family. She learns to have confidence in the fact that there is more value to her than just her physical appearance.

So where does "Starfish" come into play? The only safe space that Ellie has found for herself is in her backyard pool where she can spread her arms and legs out like a starfish. Here she is weightless and her size doesn't matter.

As you read this book you will think it's not possible that people could be so cruel to another human being. Lisa Fipps tells us at the end in her notes that "a variation of every thing that is said to Ellie in this book was said to her as a child." Think about that as you close the cover.

HEADS UP- Obviously there is a lot of issues between Ellie and her mother. While there is some resolution at the end of the story, it's not as neat and clean as we might like it.