“She’s the first person to smile at me today. The first to make me feel wanted. Understood. I blink back tears. It’s unknown how many students’ lives librarians have saved by welcoming loners at lunch.”

Ellie is an overweight girl shamed by most people about her size.

Her father and her best friend Catalina do not make fun of her, but her mom is always posting articles about weight loss and bariatric surgery. Kids at school bully Ellie, so she takes refuge in the library at lunchtime.

At home, Ellie’s safe place is the pool, where she feels weightless and stretches herself out like a starfish. 

This novel in verse makes you want to give Ellie a hug and put bullies in their place. Very short and very good!