Summary (from Amazon.com) - Ever since Ellie wore a whale swimsuit and made a big splash at her fifth birthday party, she’s been bullied about her weight. To cope, she tries to live by the Fat Girl Rules—like “no making waves,” “avoid eating in public,” and “don’t move so fast that your body jiggles.” And she’s found her safe space—her swimming pool—where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. It’s also where she can get away from her pushy mom, who thinks criticizing Ellie’s weight will motivate her to diet. Fortunately, Ellie has allies in her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor, Catalina, who loves Ellie for who she is. With this support buoying her, Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life—by unapologetically being her own fabulous self.
My Review - I can't say enough about this book. Having been bullied as a child for my weight, I could instantly relate to Ellie, although I didn't have a mother who was as brutal to me as she does. Ellie's pain is beautifully captured in the verses of the poetry, but equally beautifully-captured is her empowerment and growth into a confident young woman who loves herself as she is.
This book is a must-read for anyone, young to older. It is a poignant look into the mind of a bullied child, and should be instructive for people who don't understand because they didn't experience such bullying themselves. It's also incredibly inspiring for those who are trying to heal from this deep, cutting pain. In short, as insipid as it sounds to write "there's something in this for everyone," it really is true in this book.
