Starfish

A Printz Honor Winner! Ellie is tired of being fat-shamed and does something about it in this highly acclaimed debut novel in verse. Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, shes been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Ruleslike no making waves, avoid eating in public, and dont move so fast that your body jiggles. And shes found her safe spaceher swimming poolwhere she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. Its also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellies weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real lifeby unapologetically being her own fabulous self.