You are not an adjective. Lisa Fipps’ Starfish is BRILLIANT! I finished this in one sitting (!) and my eyes were bugging out of my damn head. It’s truthful and hits home and is an important read for every parent and all kids (not just girls).
You are not an adjective. You are not fat. Fat doesn’t define who you are. Skinny isn’t your name. It doesn’t shed light on who you really are. But weight is a currency in life sadly, and Fipps showcases this discovery in such a beautiful, sensitive way.
Let’s Begin
Ellie has been big her whole life. She’s kind, she’s creative, she’s intelligent, she’s a great daughter, she’s thoughtful. THOSE are the adjectives she wishes people would describe her as or know her for or identify with. But what they see is fat. And therefore, she’s a joke, a less-than, a not-good-enough.
Crushing, right?
Crushing because I know this is how it was when I was a kid. So I’m sure times haven’t changed on this issue. Skinny always trumps fat in popularity. Skinny and a hellion will always be looked better upon than fat and kind. Sad, right?
There are SO many pieces in this book to share.
“She’s the first person to smile at me today. The first to make me feel wanted. Understood. I blink back tears. It’s unknown how many students’ lives librarians have saved by welcoming loners at lunch.” I had never thought of that before. Ouch, right?
“I don’t tell her the bruises hurt less than the words they’ve said, that there are wounds she can’t see.” Truth.
“‘No new clothes for Ellie?’ Dad asks Mom. ‘She gained more weight this summer. I’m afraid if we keep buying her bigger clothes, she’ll just let herself get bigger.'” Holy hell. Such insensitivity.
I Urge You
If you’ve ever been made to feel small because you don’t fit the mold, read this book.
If you’ve been bullied, or were the bully, read this book.
If someone has ever commented on your weight, your appearance, watched your food intake, compared how much you eat to someone else, read this book.
This is about self-acceptance. Self-love. Identifying what makes you you. Understanding that the scale doesn’t determine your worth – now or ever.
Starfish is simply brilliant! I loved this book!