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4.5 AVERAGE
4.5 AVERAGE
I loved this book so much. It should be in every middle grade library and required reading for moms of girls. I laughed, but I mostly cried. Just beautiful.
Disclaimer: I know that everything that took place in this book is a variation of what the author experienced growing up. TW: fatphobia, bullying from peers and family.
DUDE I know representation is so important but this just felt like trauma after trauma. I’m glad Ellie grew and learned how to stand up for herself, but there were so many things left unsaid or undone. And the fact that her teachers NEVER said anything?? And no one helped her?? And then the random addition of her working in the library with one of her major bullies. I feel like this was a great opportunity to resolve something, but it was never touched on, they never talked, barely said anything to understand one another. Also, the random comments on poverty or xenophobia were great and important, but felt so underdeveloped and unsatisfying. Maybe because I’ve never struggled with weight the way Ellie has, I interpreted this book much differently than someone else might, but this just doesn’t feel like the positive representation that I was hoping to get from this book.
DUDE I know representation is so important but this just felt like trauma after trauma. I’m glad Ellie grew and learned how to stand up for herself, but there were so many things left unsaid or undone. And the fact that her teachers NEVER said anything?? And no one helped her?? And then the random addition of her working in the library with one of her major bullies. I feel like this was a great opportunity to resolve something, but it was never touched on, they never talked, barely said anything to understand one another. Also, the random comments on poverty or xenophobia were great and important, but felt so underdeveloped and unsatisfying. Maybe because I’ve never struggled with weight the way Ellie has, I interpreted this book much differently than someone else might, but this just doesn’t feel like the positive representation that I was hoping to get from this book.
A powerful book with a strong self-empowerment and anti-bullying message.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was excited when this was one of the options for my children's literature class because it's been on my TBR since I knew about it. I've been hoping to some of the literature that's come out recently surrounding the body positivity movement for larger women and [b:Starfish|54458127|Starfish|Lisa Fipps|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1594348481l/54458127._SX50_.jpg|66085012] was a good place to start.
I saw so much of myself as a middle schooler in this book! I resonated with the scenes where Ellie spent time with Catalina’s family and learned that there were people who would accept her, no strings attached. Although I did not have weight problems in middle school, I did have certain labels that had followed me for a long time and that continued to follow me. I was always “that cancer kid” in the back of someone’s mind even through high school. It’s hard to make friends when you feel like those labels make you who you are, but it can be impossible to let go of them.
The whole idea of Catalina's character was something I could completely connect with. I always looked for friendship with new students because they didn't know me and because I could choose how to approach issues on my own terms. Catalina is so willing to make a new friend from the very beginning, and so the weight issue is not any part of what she sees in Ellie right off the bat. However, Ellie is insecure about their friendship from early on because she doesn't get that someone can see her other qualities other than her weight. Growing up I felt the same thing as I worked to move past being "that cancer kid" with everyone I had grown up with, so by the time I got to college I had to work to realize that didn't have to be my full identity.
The only issue I have with this novel is that it seemed a little rushed. The conflicts seemed a little too rapidfire, so you don't realize a major turning point happened until three chapters after it did. I would have like to see the conflict resolution more drawn out.
I had to buy the ebook because my library didn't actually have a copy, but I don't think I'm going to return this. I really enjoyed it and I can see it as a useful resource in the classroom even for much younger students than the intended audience.
Read my take as a future teacher on my Goodreads account for children's books.
I saw so much of myself as a middle schooler in this book! I resonated with the scenes where Ellie spent time with Catalina’s family and learned that there were people who would accept her, no strings attached. Although I did not have weight problems in middle school, I did have certain labels that had followed me for a long time and that continued to follow me. I was always “that cancer kid” in the back of someone’s mind even through high school. It’s hard to make friends when you feel like those labels make you who you are, but it can be impossible to let go of them.
The whole idea of Catalina's character was something I could completely connect with. I always looked for friendship with new students because they didn't know me and because I could choose how to approach issues on my own terms. Catalina is so willing to make a new friend from the very beginning, and so the weight issue is not any part of what she sees in Ellie right off the bat. However, Ellie is insecure about their friendship from early on because she doesn't get that someone can see her other qualities other than her weight. Growing up I felt the same thing as I worked to move past being "that cancer kid" with everyone I had grown up with, so by the time I got to college I had to work to realize that didn't have to be my full identity.
The only issue I have with this novel is that it seemed a little rushed. The conflicts seemed a little too rapidfire, so you don't realize a major turning point happened until three chapters after it did. I would have like to see the conflict resolution more drawn out.
I had to buy the ebook because my library didn't actually have a copy, but I don't think I'm going to return this. I really enjoyed it and I can see it as a useful resource in the classroom even for much younger students than the intended audience.
Read my take as a future teacher on my Goodreads account for children's books.
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This short book packs a lot of punch. I wish I had read this as a tween and would recommend to any and everyone.