Eliana feels betrayed by her parents, but she believes that her father is trying to help her while her mother is likely trying to hurt her. Eliana’s parents decide to send her to a therapist to try to help her with her weight issues and self-esteem. Eliana does have a new neighbor named Catalina that she begins to spend time at the pool with even though they will be attending different schools.Įliana’s mother restricts her diet and Eliana does not want to discuss her weight constantly. She does not know who she will hang out with once the school year begins. Eliana is disappointed that her best friend, Viv, will be moving to Indiana with her family. She is sensitive to the imagery of whales because she is overweight and often teased by the other children at school. She glides through the water, enjoying the feeling of being weightless. Penguin Random House, 2021.Įliana begins the novel swimming in the pool as summer draws to a close. I think it will be a story that many fifth, sixth and seventh graders will take to heart and that will be invaluable to them as they navigate middle school and body image issues.Ĭons: As much as I loved the verse format, I think its brevity made some of the work done in therapy seem a little quick and easy.The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Fipps, Lisa.
I commend Nancy Paulsen (mentioned in the author’s acknowledgements) for seeing this as a middle grade book instead of YA. Pros: I inhaled this novel in verse in a single sitting and can’t wait to share it with students at my school. Includes a brief author’s note explaining how she based Ellie’s bullying on her own experiences. It’s clear there’s still a lot of work to do for Ellie’s family, but by the end she is feeling empowered to confront some of the bullies and to stop hiding who she really is. Fortunately, a new girl next door becomes a friend, and Ellie’s sympathetic dad takes her to a therapist who helps her explore her emotions and learn to stand up for herself. Things get worse when her best friend moves away the summer before sixth grade, and Ellie has to face middle school alone. Summary: Eleven-year-old Ellie has been bullied about her size for many years–by her classmates, her brother, and her mother, who is pushing her to have bariatric surgery.
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