A review by chandranolynne
Starfish by Lisa Fipps

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

Me: Oh, this looks like a light, fun read! Also me: Proceeds to sob tears throughout the entire three hours of listening. Listen, this book is excellent. But for a middle-grade novel, it's also incredibly raw and dark. The author explores the trauma that comes with being a fat child in a world obsessed with weight, and she doesn't hold anything back. The outrageously cruel things that our main character goes through throughout the course of this novel are both horrifying and heartbreaking. Again, this book is excellent, but if you choose to read it, don't make the same mistake I did of thinking that just because it's a kid's book, it won't be traumatizing. You have been warned.