Title: Starfish
Author: Lisa Fipps
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers, 2021
“Mom, I absolutely know this is the best book I’ve ever read. Let’s read it sloooooow so it lasts longer.”
When your daughter loves a book this much, it’s pretty much mandatory that you interview her and capture the moment. What I wasn’t expecting was for Miss E to then write her own questions to interview me. And, um, well….they were better than my questions. See for yourself.
R: You’ve said this is your favorite book of all time. What makes it so special?
E: It makes you look at the world from a new perspective. You don’t ever really know what is happening at home with other people.
R: You also said everyone, even adults, should read this book. What do you think would happen if that wish came true?
E: Everyone would be able to put themselves in the shoes of Ellie and others that might be different then they are. People would be kinder and realize just because someone is different than you are, doesn’t mean they should be treated differently.
R: Lately, your favorite books have been novels in verse. Why do you keep coming back for more?
E: When I browse through certain books I think about how long it will take me to read them. But when I see a novel written in verse I think about how much I’m going to enjoy it, not how long it will take me to read it.
R: If you could ask a character in Starfish a question, who would it be and what would you ask?
E: I would ask Ellie if her mother changed her ways after the last session with Doc.
E: How do you think Catalina’s family helped Ellie?
R: Catalina’s family provided a second family for her. She was comfortable in her own skin and saw examples of unconditional love at their house.
E: What was your favorite part in the book?
R: I loved it when Mrs. Boardman asked Ellie to share her favorite quote from the book she read. Ellie shared one from Song for a Whale: “The whale didn’t need to be fixed. He was the whale who sang his own song.” (p. 184). I think it’s a reminder to live life the way YOU want, not compare yourself to others and their expectations.
E: How would you deal with Ellie’s mom if you were Ellie?
R: I think, with the help of Doc, Ellie handled her mom- perfectly by the end of the book. I’m not sure Ellie would have been able to do that if her dad hadn’t brought her to Doc. I’d like to think I could have been brave like her. Ellie is one of my new heroes.
Have we convinced you yet to give this book a try? We certainly hope so! Let us know! And we’d love to read an interview of your own!