The sting of school bullies, the humiliation of jibes from others on public transport, and the pure indignity of a little boy making fun of her in a restaurant at the guidance of his own parents, is heartless but Ellie’s reality. Written in verse, it reads just like a novel, and it’s not long before the reader is right in Ellie’s shoes, experiencing the painful world she must live in. This is a heartbreaking but ultimately empowering novel for anyone who reads it. One by one she claims her space in the world by defeating her bullies, herself and then the most painful – her own mother. Her own worst enemy is herself, and she has to get rid of her list of Fat Girl Rules she has lived by since that birthday party. The therapist is soon a good place to go, as she teaches Ellie positive ways to get through bullying and fat shaming. Slowly but surely, as the bullying continues, along with her mum and brother’s comments and taunts, she begins to let go. No way, thinks Ellie refusing to speak to the woman behind the desk.

The latest ‘fix’ for Ellie is a therapist to talk to. Dad is supportive and protective of her but Mum is constantly on Ellie’s back, pinning weight loss articles on the fridge, searching the rubbish bins for any evidence of sneak eating and putting her on every diet imaginable. Her big brother is all out ashamed of her and blames her for her parent’s arguments. Is if it isn’t bad enough at school, her own family don’t help. 1 & 2 still call her names and aid other kids to pull nasty pranks on her. Bully No.3 – as Ellie dubs him, is still pulling the same stunt he always has pretending there isn’t enough room in the corridors. Sure enough, nothing’s changed at school. At least there is a new girl next door who seems to be friendly. Her best friend has moved away too, so now she must face her bullies alone. Now, her pool is the only place she can relax, spreading out like a starfish on the water, floating and not worrying about her size.Įllie hates the constant fat shaming wherever she goes, and is dreading going back to school after summer break. She was dressed as a whale and made a big splash in the pool, and now nearly 12, the name has stuck.

Ellie has been called SPLASH ever since a costume birthday party when she was 5 years old.

Starfish lisa fipps book review