City News

This book will make you cry. No doubt about it. It. Will. Make. You. Cry.

I finished Starfish in one sitting and finished with tears. This story is absolutely beautiful.

Starfish is a middle-grade novel in verse that sheds light on society's stigma towards those who look different. What stood out to me was how the author conveyed such a beautiful message in an equally beautiful manner. Poetry has always been my favorite form of literature (hence why I read so many novel-in-verses!) because it expresses emotions in an entirely different way than normal writing. It is an extremely powerful medium, especially for social issues such as the one Starfish presents, and for people to listen to. One thing that I love about this novel is that it is targeted at teenagers who are constantly trying to create their identities. Being a teenager myself, I can tell you with great conviction that young people struggle with self-identity. Starfish hit home with its messages about what it means to truly be yourself by highlighting self-worth and standing up for yourself.

Ellie, a young teenager, is bullied for her weight. Everywhere she goes she is faced with slurs and judging looks based on her physical appearance. However, Ellie doesn't just get mistreated by strangers, but also by her own family. Ellie's mother and siblings constantly pressure and abuse her to lose weight. The only supportive figures in her life are her father and two best friends who see Ellie for who she is: a normal girl who likes to swim, hang out with friends, write, and lead a typical teenage life. Nevertheless, through absolutely outstanding poetry, the author shows that Ellie is most hurt by her mother. She doesn't care if everyone in the world bullies her if she has her mother by her side. Alas, Ellie's mother is depicted as one of society's greatest advocates for stigma. She pressures Ellie into losing weight, especially by persuading her to get surgery.

When Ellie finds out that her parents are considering surgery, she finds comfort in writing and her new friend, Catalina. She learns to lead a normal life and eventually, accepts herself.

Lisa Flipps, the author, perfectly captures a young girl's voice in self-discovery. Though heartbreaking, Ellie's story is powerful. I believe that many kids who struggle with abuse can see themselves in Ellie. I hope they find the true message of the story and learn their self-value.

However, one thing that I will note about Starfish is that the mother is portrayed rather harshly. The author never hinted at Ellie's mother softening or empathizing with her daughter. The ending was also a bit cruel in my opinion. Of course, stories like these are real, and millions of kids face abuse and bullying, but it would have been nice if it ended on a more positive note.

That being said, I would highly recommend Starfish to every teenager or child. Lisa Flipps does include some gory descriptions when she talks about surgery, and there is some mature content considering the topic. However, Starfish is still a must-read for kids trying to find their identity and place in the world. 8/10 stars!

Check out Starfish from NBPL!