Starfish is an inspiring book about a young girl who is not only tormented by students at school, and her brothers and sisters, but her mother about her being overweight. Starfish by Lisa Fipps is a step-by-step guide for teachers who want to teach the novel. It’s also a sweet book about friendship, sisterhood, swimming, summer, and self-acceptance.Teach Starfish by Lisa Fipps What its about? Get the full Lesson below HERE This realistic story is important for educators, parents, and kids alike and urges all to question their biases toward fat people. Starfish is a powerful, fat-positive middle grade verse novel about a girl who is learning that she deserves to take up space. Ellie is fit, tidy, and an A student at school, contrary to the common misconceptions about fat people. Fipps also dispels myths about fat people through Ellie’s story. I love that this book is therapy positive and that the therapist helps Ellie to see herself as more than just fat, while coming to a real acceptance of her body.
The author writes from her experiences and those of other fat people, and really forces readers to question their biases, especially in their relationship with fat friends and family.Įllie and Catalina have a super supportive friendship, and I was also relieved to see Ellie find allies in her father and therapist.
Yet, that is one of the strengths of this book: the honesty. Ellie is such a sweet character and my heart broke for her so many times throughout the course of this book. Lisa Fipps has such powerful, vivid writing, even while writing sparsely as one does in a verse novel. Eventually, her father gets her mother to ease off by taking Ellie to a therapist who helps her accept her body and defend herself against bullies. Her mom is also pushing for gastric bypass surgery for Ellie.
At school, bullying intensifies when a chair breaks after Ellie sits on it. The family loves food and welcome Ellie with open arms, never judging her for her weight. Thankfully, after Viv moves, Ellie finds a friend in her new neighbor Catalina and her family. Ellie is feeling more disheartened because her friend Viv who is also plus-sized is moving away. Her mom controls her diet, monitoring her portions and choosing lackluster “healthy” alternatives. Even her older brother and sister make fun of her weight. Starfish features Ellie, a fat girl who has been bullied for her weight since she wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash in the pool.
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