Starfish

By Lisa Fipps

Starfish follows Ellie, an eleven-year-old girl who has experienced years of bullying and criticism about her weight, including within her own family. She develops a set of rules designed to make herself less noticeable, but with support from her father, a therapist, and a new friend, Ellie begins to challenge those messages and recognize that she deserves acceptance and respect.

Written as a novel in verse, the story explores body image, fat-shaming, bullying, family relationships, and self-advocacy while offering a powerful message about learning to take up space unapologetically.