Reviews

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

cstange17's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

happycamper12's review

5.0

I needed this book in my life 30+ years ago.

leeathelibrarian's review against another edition

5.0

The bullying Ellie endures, from her family nonetheless, brought me to tears. My heart ached for Ellie. Fipps has created a haunting story about the power of words and the strength of friendship. Starfish is necessary and heartbreaking and perfect.

megcow's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. This was a short, quick read (written in a super unique way) but it packed a major punch. Following Ellie through her journey of learning self-worth, how to stand up for herself and learning it is okay to take up space in this world was beautiful and tear jerking at the same time. Starfish have always held such a sentimental value to me and now this book has added a whole new meaning.

“I starfish. There’s plenty of room for each and every one of us in the world.”

catsandbookstacks's review

4.0

 Starfish is blunt and heartbreaking. I felt Ellie to my core and can't tell you how many times my eyes started tearing up. There is relentless bullying and fatphobic behaviour on almost every single page.

As an adult, the book was difficult to read and I don't know if I'd necessarily recommend it to many young kids. Ellie goes through a lot and there isn't a high level accountability for those who treat her poorly. 

linyarai's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

thecontrarybookworm's review

4.0

Wow so this book kind of chewed up and spat out my soul.
Anyone who has been picked on in middle school or faced low self-esteem related to their bodies can relate to this book - not just fat people. I empathized with the main character on such a deep level because I know how it feels to be excluded, to feel so different from everyone else, to be targeted. Honestly, this book kind of brought back the trauma of middle school for me.
I thought Starfish it was well written, if a little over the top. It was a quick but heavy read.

line_magnus's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 This was heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure. I loved everything about it, from the amazing characters, to the format, to the themes. Highly recommended to anyone at all, no matter what age or body shape. I'd give this six stars if I could. 

hidingzeus's review

2.0

I could see how this one would appeal to others but I personally found the mother so awful, I couldn't like the book much as a whole.

alexaschaben's review

5.0

If you have trauma from your mother fat shaming you and/or high school bullies, this is the book for you! I’d love to see a young adult version of this. It was very healing but also could be very triggering.