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Starfish by Lisa Fipps

 


    Starfish was written by Lisa Fipps. The book is a novel in verse. Each poem has a title however, the book does not contain a table of contents. The book is about a girl named Ellie. After an incident when she was five, she has been bullied about her weight. At the beginning of summer break, she finds allies in unexpected places (Fipps 2021). This book is very validating to those who have even been bullied about their weight when they were young. While this is a midgrade novel, I would recommend this book to anyone who has experienced the same experiences as Ellie or has an eating disorder from midgrade to adulthood. The language used is understandable to those to whom this book is recommended. 


    The author uses figurative language and emotional impact in the poems. Figurative language is not used often but when it is the author uses it to make an emotional statement. The author uses emotional impact to put the reader in the shoes of the character Ellie. The topic of the book is weight and diet culture. The book also shows the emotional abuse that her mom unknowingly showed her as she was concerned about her weight and health. The therapist in the book starts her journey towards healing in many ways that I wish I could do in therapy as well. The author portrays the therapist as beneficial and a tool in healing. This is so important because it helps to break the stigma that is placed on mental health and therapy/counseling. I think this book also shows that healing is not linear and that is ok. 

For Just a While

I step down into the pool.
The water is bathwater warm
but feels cool
compared to the blistering hot air.
Kick. Gliiiiiiide.
Stroke. Gliiiiiiide.
Side to side
and back again.
Dive under the surface.
Soar to the top
Arch my back.
Flip. Flop.

As soon as I slip into the pool,
I am weightless.
Limitless.
Just for a while.
(Fipps 2021)

    I think that this would be a great book for a book club for middle graders or a poetry writing group. I think this book lends toward a discussion about body positivity. I think that this is an important conversation that is needed in this age group. I would introduce this book talking about body positivity and self-esteem. I think that a good activity for this book is to talk about writing poetry. In the book, Ellie writes poetry that is about something that comforts her. I find that writing whether it is journaling or poetry, helps get my feelings out. I think that it is important for this age group. I would explain the different types of poetry and use examples to be read out loud.

References:
Fipps, Lisa. 2021. Starfish. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, An Imprint Of Penguin Random House.


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