STARFISH

Jenna Lamia's youthful narration expresses the vulnerability of 11-year-old Ellie, who has been bullied about her weight ever since she can remember. She has armored herself by creating Fat Girl Rules, which include bullying herself before others can. Lamia's pacing reflects the free-verse format of this audiobook, which illuminates the poetic nature of Ellie's personality. Lamia imbues her reading with Ellie's hurt, derived from years of cruelty from classmates, her sibling, and, perhaps worst of all, her controlling mother. Lamia delivers peers' taunts, her brother's verbal abuse, and her mother's judgments, as well as Ellie's hurt and deflation. Lamia also captures the playful wisdom of a therapist, the compassion of a new neighbor, and the constancy of Ellie's loving father, all of whom encourage Ellie to make a courageous stand. S.W. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2021]