by Lisa Fipps
Ellie lives with constant criticism about her weight from her mother, who calls her "Estrella de Mar" as a cruel nickname comparing her to a starfish. At school, bullies target her size while she struggles to find her place among classmates who seem to fit in effortlessly. Her mother's harsh comments about food and appearance create shame that follows Ellie everywhere. She finds small moments of peace in swimming, where her body feels different in the water. As Ellie faces daily humiliation both at home and school, she begins questioning whether the adults in her life are right about her worth. The story follows her journey toward recognizing that the voices telling her she's not enough might be wrong. Ellie must learn to see herself through her own eyes rather than through the judgment of others who claim to love her.
Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary, young-adult
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, self-discovery
Content warnings: abuse, emotional-abuse