Ellie is tired of being the punchline. She is tired of the "Fat Girl Rules" she’s been forced to live by—rules like not eating in public or making herself as small as possible so she doesn't offend anyone with her existence. Honestly, it’s heartbreaking. Starfish by Lisa Fipps isn't just another book about a kid getting picked on; it is a raw, verse-novel exploration of fatphobia that hits home because it doesn't sugarcoat the reality of "living large" in a world that wants you thin.
Fipps wrote this from a place of deep personal experience. You can feel it.
The story follows Ellie, a young girl who has dealt with bullying since her fifth birthday party. That was the day she jumped into a pool and got nicknamed "Splash." It stuck. But the real gut-punch of this book isn't just the mean kids at school. It is Ellie’s own mother. Her mom is obsessed with "fixing" Ellie, constantly pushing weight-loss surgery and making every meal a battlefield. It makes you want to reach into the pages and intervene. This isn't some distant, abstract trauma. It’s the kind of everyday cruelty that shapes a person's entire identity before they’ve even hit high school.
The Reality of Fatphobia in Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Most middle-grade novels handle bullying with a "just ignore them" attitude. Starfish by Lisa Fipps rejects that entirely. Fipps uses verse to create a rhythm that mirrors Ellie's anxiety and her eventual growth. Verse works here because it allows for a lot of white space on the page—space where Ellie’s feelings can actually breathe.
Why does this book resonate so much with adults and kids alike? Because it addresses the concept of "taking up space."
Ellie finds her sanctuary in her swimming pool. In the water, she feels weightless. She feels like a starfish, stretching out her limbs and claiming every inch of the water around her. It’s the only place she doesn't feel the need to apologize for being there. Outside the water? She's following rules like "no wearing bright colors" or "no making a scene." It’s exhausting just reading about it. The book highlights a very specific type of societal gaslighting where people claim to be "concerned for her health" while simultaneously destroying her mental well-being.
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Why the "Fat Girl Rules" Matter
The rules Ellie lives by are a central theme. They aren't written down in a handbook, but she knows them by heart.
- Rule: Don't eat in public because people will judge you.
- Rule: Wear dark clothes to "slim" your silhouette.
- Rule: Don't ever, ever react to the mean comments.
Fipps shows how these rules act as a cage. When Ellie finally meets a therapist, Dr. Wood, the narrative shifts. It's one of the few times in children's literature where therapy is portrayed not as a "fix for a broken kid," but as a tool for empowerment. Dr. Wood helps Ellie realize that she is allowed to be angry. She is allowed to have boundaries. Even with her mother. Especially with her mother.
Starfish by Lisa Fipps and the Power of Voice
The secondary characters are a mixed bag, which feels realistic. You have Viv, the best friend who moves away, leaving Ellie vulnerable. Then there’s Catalina, the new neighbor who sees Ellie as a person first and a "size" never. It’s a refreshing change from the "pity friend" trope.
But let’s talk about the dad.
Ellie’s father is her ally, yet he’s often passive. He loves her, but he doesn't always stop the mother’s verbal onslaughts. This creates a complex family dynamic that many readers will recognize. It’s not a simple "good parent vs. bad parent" situation. It’s about the silence that allows abuse to happen.
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The writing is sparse. Powerful.
"I am a starfish. / I take up / all the space / I need."
This mantra becomes the turning point of the book. It’s a literal and metaphorical expansion. Ellie stops trying to fit into the corners of her own life. She starts demanding that the world adjust to her, rather than the other way around.
Addressing the Criticism
Some critics argue that the mother’s character is too villainous. They say no mother would be that cruel to their child over their weight. To that, I say: look around. Spend five minutes on a forum for people who grew up in "almond mom" households. Fipps isn't exaggerating for dramatic effect; she’s documenting a very real, very common experience. The mother represents a segment of society that views fatness as a moral failure rather than a physical state. By making the mother a primary antagonist, Fipps forces the reader to acknowledge that the "call is coming from inside the house." Home isn't always a safe space.
What Readers Get Wrong About the Ending
People often expect a weight-loss montage. This isn't that kind of book.
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If you’re looking for a story where the protagonist loses fifty pounds and then finds happiness, look elsewhere. Starfish by Lisa Fipps is about radical self-acceptance. The ending isn't about Ellie changing her body; it’s about Ellie changing her mind. She decides that her value is independent of the scale. That is a radical concept in a world that spends billions of dollars trying to convince us otherwise.
She learns to stand up for herself. She confronts her mother. She stands her ground.
It’s a tough read at times. You’ll feel a lump in your throat. You might even get angry. But that anger is productive. It’s the fuel that drives Ellie toward her own liberation.
Actionable Insights for Educators and Parents
If you are using this book in a classroom or at home, don't just focus on the "bullying is bad" aspect. That’s too surface-level.
- Discuss the "Rules": Ask kids what "unspoken rules" they feel they have to follow based on how they look. This opens up a massive door for empathy and self-reflection.
- Analyze the Verse: Look at why Fipps chose poetry over prose. How does the layout of the words on the page change the way you feel?
- Boundary Setting: Use Ellie’s sessions with Dr. Wood to talk about how to set boundaries with adults. It’s a scary but necessary skill.
- The Role of the Ally: Look at the dad and Catalina. How can someone be a better ally to a friend being bullied? Is staying silent enough? (Hint: it’s not).
Starfish by Lisa Fipps stands as a landmark in modern children's literature. It challenges the "thin-at-all-costs" narrative and replaces it with a story of a girl who realizes she was never the problem. The world was. By the time you reach the final page, you aren't just cheering for Ellie—you’re re-evaluating the way you look at everyone around you. Take the time to sit with the discomfort this book provides. It's where the real growth happens.
To get the most out of the book, read it alongside other body-positive middle-grade titles like Target by P.S. Duffy or Taking Up Space by Alyson Gerber. Compare how different authors tackle the intersection of body image and coming-of-age. Notice the patterns. See the shift in how we talk to kids about their bodies. It's a conversation that is long overdue, and Fipps is leading the charge with a megaphone.