Starfish

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fipps, Lisa. 2021. STARFISH. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books. ISBN 978-1-66883-520-3. 

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This well-written novel-in-verse proves that your heart can fall in love, while breaking at the same time. The young protagonist, Ellie, has such a great personality, but few look beyond her physical appearance. Her family dynamic is splintered, between a caring, supportive father, and a critical, harsh mother. Sadly, bullying is a constant in Ellie’s life, whether at home or at school. Thanks to a life-changing therapist, Ellie discovers her self-worth and learns how to stand up for herself. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Wow. This book was so sad. I cried multiple times. The cruelty that the main character, Ellie, experiences is almost unbelievable. However, the author’s notes explain that the bullying episodes that Ellie endures are based on her own life experiences. This explains why the character’s words and reactions seem so believable. 

Even though the ruthlessness that Ellie endures is heavy, the tone of this book stays light. Fipps doesn’t explore the depth of the hurt and rejection her protagonist would most likely experience.  In typical YA fashion, her problems are mostly resolved in a 200 page timeline. 

The young protagonist is certainly loveable. Ellie finds joy in her best friends. She finds unconditional love in her relationship with her dad and eventually with her sister.  Her older sister and Ellie are the only dynamic characters that transform through the progression of the novel. The characterization is built almost exclusively through their direct dialogue with the narrator.  

Books like this are important. They can help guide kids through life’s difficulties and even offer hope. However, YA novels need to be careful to not underrate the severity of the tough issues. The mental and emotional anguish young people experience from bullying may require significant intervention and/or therapies. 

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
ALA Notable Children's Books, 2022
Booklist starred, (December 2020)
Kirkus Reviews starred, (February 2021)
Michael L. Printz Honor, 2022
School Library Journal starred, (February 2021)
Texas: Lone Star Reading List, 2022

5. CONNECTIONS
*There are other great books about bullying, and specifically about kids being bullied for their weight.  Garvey’s Choice, by Nikki Grimes, Dear Sweet Pea, by Julie Murphy, and Jelly by Jo Cotterill would all pair well with Starfish, and be great book club material for discussion around this topic.