Fourth Grade Journey

A Fourth Grade Teacher's Journey Through the World of Books

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

How I Heard About It:
*I went to the mailbox the other day and found a great book surprise.  Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin) sent me a physical ARC of the upcoming middle-grade novel by Lisa Fipps.  I was intrigued by the cover, title and got to reading right away.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Ellie is Splash.  Ellie is Starfish.  Ellie is eleven years old and dealing with a life no adult, let alone a child, have to deal with.


*Ellie is overweight.  Ellie is bullied.  Ellie is an outcast, even in her own family.  

*Her parents each treat her differently when it comes to the weight.  

*After a new girl moves in next door and her father finds a therapist for his daughter, Ellie begins to see a light at the end of the tunnel.  

*A young girl on a journey to not only find her place in the world, but to find the love she so desperately needs and deserves.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*As I said on social media posts:  One book, One reading, One Powerful experience.

*I could NOT put the book down and was emotionally invested from page one to the very last page.  

*I don't remember feeling so emotionally "touched" as I did while reading Ellie's story.  

*So many young people are bullied, but after reading the novel, I now have a different view on the treatment of overweight kids and adults.

*From the acknowledgements at the end of the story, I learned this was to be a young-adult novel; but they decided it was necessary to reach a younger audience before it was too late.  I couldn't agree more.


Who Should Read It:
*This is one of those books that will save lives.  I can see the story being beneficial for readers in grades five and above.  Middle-school girls, but not excluding boys, would be the perfect audience for Ellie and her journey.  This is one special book and should NOT be missed!  Happy Reading!


Rating:
  
STARS out of 5 Stars

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