Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - Starfish

This book is a heavy hitter. The amount of times I wanted to punch someone in the face for the MC (especially her mom) is way higher than it should be for a book of this length. Ellie is being tortured, at school and at home, for being fat. When her dad finds a therapist for her to talk to, the tide starts to turn. Watching her open up and begin to assert herself gave me back the hope that the beginning of this book drained from me. I'm desperate to believe that people aren't this shitty, but I'm on social media so I know better. Catalina and her family, especially her brother, are the best. I have said this before, and I'll say it again: Kindness Cost You Nothing! (Be kind to you too.)

It's a lot easier to toss into the trash ideas others have about you than the ones you have about yourself.

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booksawyer's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Ever since I first heard of Starfish, I had the feeling I would love it. Despite my high expectations, this book still blew me away.

This book follows Ellie, a plus-size middle schooler facing constant bullying from her peers and even members of her family. Her story made me cry so many times, bringing up memories of being bullied and highlighting emotions that I have felt. The representation in this book was so perfectly done. I never saw myself represented in books when I was Ellie’s age, so the fact that this book exists for children today makes me so glad. Starfish is exactly the kind of book I wish I had back then.

Not only does this book feature great representation, but it also inspires the reader to accept themselves the way they are. It argued that every individual is worthy of love and respect, and encourages us to stand up for ourselves. I hope that kids will read this book and be inspired to love themselves just as they are.

Beyond its intended audience, I would truly recommend this book to readers of all ages, both those who may relate to it and those who may not. Ellie’s story is heartbreaking, but also moving and powerful. I think every reader could gain something from this book.

I am so happy to say that this book is an all-time favorite of mine, and it is definitely my favorite book I’ve read so far this year.

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sby616's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense 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

4.5

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kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

So beautifully written I forgot it’s a children’s book. I laughed and cried as Ellie learned to navigate the world and all the hatefulness of others in a bigger-than-average body. This book shows us all how we could stand to be just a little bit kinder to those who are different than ourselves. As a person who has always been fat, this book resonated with me in so many ways.

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