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4.5 AVERAGE
4.5 AVERAGE
Wow! What a beautiful book! Ellie is a girl who’s had the nickname “Splash” since she was 5 years old and created a whale-sized cannonball in the pool at her birthday. Her siblings begin teasing her about her size and don’t call her by her actual name from there on out.
Ellie is navigating life believing she is un-loveable because she is seen as obese and this is her story of the pathway to healing and self-acceptance.
This book is powerful and a must read for EVERYONE! Starting at age 9.
Ellie is navigating life believing she is un-loveable because she is seen as obese and this is her story of the pathway to healing and self-acceptance.
This book is powerful and a must read for EVERYONE! Starting at age 9.
What a remarkable book about one of the bravest girls I have come to know. Ellie was not only fat shamed at school by bullies, but also at home. And on top of that her best friend moves away. It makes you wonder how she will survive all of the mistreatment. But Ellie is brave! I just love this story. I believe everyone should read this book as a reminder to treat everyone with kindness and respect.
This audiobook gutted me. It was relentless, and I spent a lot of listening to it while crying for this poor girl. A must read—important topics and we do get to witness her growing into her power. I just wanted to punch her bullies the entire time, especially her awful mother. I really liked the narrator of this book, she did a wonderful job.
I cried. I wish I had this book when I was 11. I feel like this should be on everybody's reading list... but better yet, listen to it. Jenna Lamia does a gorgeous job with the audiobook narration. Now more than ever, I'm so glad I got to meet Lisa Fipps and sit through a session she paneled for on body positivity in middle grade fiction. I wish I could go back in time and give her a hug for writing this book.
I realize this is a YA book and there were parts of it that felt a bit silly reading it now as a 30 year old but I think this is a book that I would have really appreciated as a young girl/ teenager and it felt a bit healing reading it now.
People can be so cruel. It was hard to believe at times, even though I remember how cruel people were to me at this same age.
This was a quick read with some down-to-earth examples of how to deal with bullying. The world needs more of this.
Side note: the author is a library marketing manager??? So am I! What's the likelihood?
This was a quick read with some down-to-earth examples of how to deal with bullying. The world needs more of this.
Side note: the author is a library marketing manager??? So am I! What's the likelihood?
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book gave me all the feels! I laughed, cried, got angry, and felt heard. I love how this book isn't just about a big girl who gets bullied, but about people getting treated different for a number of reasons like race, class, appearance, etc. I plan on recommending this book to several people. Anyone who gets bullied, has self esteem issues, who knows anyone with these issues would benefit from reading this book. I love that the author wrote this for a younger crowd. Kids can be so brutal and the sooner these positive messages of love and acceptance are understood the better.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found that I was judging this book by the reviews that I read. And focused on finding the verse. (IMO - there is verse, but I expected more, so I decided for me, it didn’t fit the prompt). I was not really enjoying it. So I restarted the book and just read it. I found I enjoyed it better. I just focused on the words of the story of an 11 year old (almost 12 year old) and her struggle to fit in. Being bullied almost daily, not only by people at school, but also at home.
As a child into my adulthood, I was slim and didn’t struggle with weight until in my 30’s, I’m 54 now. I have a sister who struggled with weight and being bullied, from the same age as Ellie until recently (she is now 47), and I admit that I thought “just lose weight”. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that it is not her issue it was others, but she is the one who paid for it. I know I was never cruel to her, but I was not as supportive as I should have been.
People can be so cruel.
As a child into my adulthood, I was slim and didn’t struggle with weight until in my 30’s, I’m 54 now. I have a sister who struggled with weight and being bullied, from the same age as Ellie until recently (she is now 47), and I admit that I thought “just lose weight”. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that it is not her issue it was others, but she is the one who paid for it. I know I was never cruel to her, but I was not as supportive as I should have been.
People can be so cruel.