Lisa Fipps is a graduate of Ball State University, an award-winning former journalist, a former director of marketing for a public library (where she won the Sara Laughlin marketing award), and an author of middle-grade books. Starfish is her debut novel. She lives in Kokomo, Indiana.
“In her debut novel, Starfish, Lisa Fipps confronts diet culture
and fat phobia head-on. . . . The book reads as if Ellie
herself is writing these poems, which are accessible and
engaging.”—The New York Times Book Review
* “Fipps bursts onto the middle-grade scene with her debut, a verse
novel that shines because of Ellie’s keen and emotionally striking
observations. As she draws readers in with her smart and
succinct voice, Ellie navigates the difficult map of knowing she
deserves better treatment while struggling with the conflict that's
necessary to achieve it. Fipps hands her young narrator several
difficult life lessons, including how to self-advocate, how not to
internalization of the words of others, and what it means to defend
yourself. Ellie's story will delight readers who long to see
an impassioned young woman seize an unapologetic
victory.”—Booklist, starred review
* “Fipps’ verse is skillful and rooted in emotional reality. The
text places readers in Ellie’s shoes, showing how she is attacked
in many spaces—including by strangers on public transit—while
clearly asserting that it’s other people who need to change. . . .
Make room in your heart for this cathartic novel”—Kirkus Reviews,
starred review
* “Affirming representation of fatness. . . . Fipps’s use of verse
is as effective as it is fitting; Ellie dreams of becoming a
storyteller and poet ‘to help people feel what it’s like/ to live
in/ someone else’s skin.’ A triumphant and poignantly drawn journey
toward self-acceptance and self-advocacy.”—Publishers Weekly,
starred review
* “A charming novel in verse about a girl struggling with
self-worth. . . . Once readers start, it will be difficult for them
to put this book down. Ellie’s story is heartbreaking and raw at
times, and Fipps paints a realistic picture of bullying in a world
that equates thinness with beauty. . . . True joy comes in watching
Ellie gain confidence in herself and standing up to the bullies,
even when they’re family. . . . A must-have for libraries serving
teens and tweens.”—School Library Journal, starred review
“In this free-verse novel, Fipps is laceratingly authentic about
the kind of ‘teasing’ and ‘help’ that Ellie is constantly subject
to, and the family dynamic, wherein her father dislikes her
mother’s treatment but rarely intervenes, is sadly believable. . .
The intense focus mirrors a lot of experience, and readers will be
glad to see Ellie eventually ‘starfishing—starting to claim my
right to take up space.’”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s
Books
“This beautiful, heartbreaking, and powerful novel-in-verse would
pair well with media literacy lessons on body imagery, bullying,
and victim shaming. The story is very engaging and readers will not
want to put it down. School guidance counselors, school
psychologists, and social workers will appreciate the realistic
portrayal of Ellie’s therapist and the benefits of therapy for
children and adults.”—School Library Connection
“Ellie’s simple and powerful free-verse poems intensify her
emotional turmoil and smoothly destroy stereotypes (‘They think I’m
unhappy / because I’m fat. / The truth is, / I’m unhappy because /
they bully me / about being fat’). Her strength in accepting
herself and learning to defy her Fat Girl Rules is an inspiring
reminder to all readers that they deserve to ‘take up space.’”—Horn
Book
“Readers will rejoice as Ellie gains the strength to confront
bullies with intelligence and honesty, and refuses to allow other
people’s cruelty to shape her life.”—Padma Venkatraman,
award-winning author of The Bridge Home
“This is a big beautiful book about a big beautiful girl. Meet
Ellie, who looks in the mirror and sees someone lovable. Now, if
only the rest of the world (and especially her own mother and
brother) could see what Ellie sees. This is a story about the
colossal cruelty that’s hurled at her because of her weight, and
how, with colossal strength, Ellie manages to triumph. An honest,
heartbreaking, hilarious novel-in-verse from a debut author with a
delicious voice.”—Sonya Sones, author of What My Mother Doesn’t
Know
“Lisa Fipps’s spot-on verse gives Ellie a wrenchingly real voice
that sings with humor, pain, and hope. Prepare yourself: Once you
read this book, your heart will never be the same.” —K. A.
Holt, author of House Arrest
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
