Ellie has been called SPLASH ever since a costume birthday party when she was 5 years old. She was dressed as a whale and made a big splash in the pool, and now nearly 12, the name has stuck. Now, her pool is the only place she can relax, spreading out like a starfish on the water, floating and not worrying about her size.

Ellie hates the constant fat shaming wherever she goes, and is dreading going back to school after summer break. Her best friend has moved away too, so now she must face her bullies alone. At least there is a new girl next door who seems to be friendly.

Sure enough, nothing’s changed at school. Bully No.3 – as Ellie dubs him, is still pulling the same stunt he always has pretending there isn’t enough room in the corridors. Bullies No. 1 & 2 still call her names and aid other kids to pull nasty pranks on her.

Is if it isn’t bad enough at school, her own family don’t help. Her big brother is all out ashamed of her and blames her for her parent’s arguments. But she knows he’s probably right. Dad is supportive and protective of her but Mum is constantly on Ellie’s back, pinning weight loss articles on the fridge, searching the rubbish bins for any evidence of sneak eating and putting her on every diet imaginable. She’s even suggesting surgery.

The latest ‘fix’ for Ellie is a therapist to talk to. No way, thinks Ellie refusing to speak to the woman behind the desk. Slowly but surely, as the bullying continues, along with her mum and brother’s comments and taunts, she begins to let go. The therapist is soon a good place to go, as she teaches Ellie positive ways to get through bullying and fat shaming.

Her own worst enemy is herself, and she has to get rid of her list of Fat Girl Rules she has lived by since that birthday party. One by one she claims her space in the world by defeating her bullies, herself and then the most painful – her own mother.

This is a heartbreaking but ultimately empowering novel for anyone who reads it. Written in verse, it reads just like a novel, and it’s not long before the reader is right in Ellie’s shoes, experiencing the painful world she must live in.

The sting of school bullies, the humiliation of jibes from others on public transport, and the pure indignity of a little boy making fun of her in a restaurant at the guidance of his own parents, is heartless but Ellie’s reality. The lack of her own family support broke my heart and I cheered as she gradually began to deflect the taunts, comments or jokes others threw at her, and stood tall and strong – taking her own space in the world and being proud of it.

I loved the new neighbours who stood by her from the beginning, instantly accepting her as herself. My favourite scene had me cheering, as these wonderful people were at Ellie’s side when she needed them most. I could easily have imagined this book as a movie, and I know there would be tears and cheers in theatres.

The 2022 Michael L. Printz Honor winner.

Like Fish in a Tree, Wonder and Out of My Mind, this is a book everyone should read.

Author – Lisa Fipps

Age – 9+

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(2021, Penguin NZ, Swimming, Fat, Name calling, Taunts, Jibes, ‘Just joking!’, Large, Therapist, Family, Doctors, Listening, Hurt, Pain, Humiliation, Fat-shaming, Body image, School, Bullies, Courage, Animal, Dog, Pug, Support, Love, Acceptance, Pride, Friendship, Neighbours, Diversity, Verse novel, Siblings, Fat Girl Rules, Growing Up)