Starfish

Eleven-year-old Ellie loves swimming and feels most at ease floating in the pool like a starfish. At school, she is bullied and called cruel names because of her size. At home, her mother comments on Ellie’s weight, withholds food, imposes diets, and considers surgery. Ellie’s father supports her: he challenges her mother, helps her see a therapist, finds a doctor who is not anti-fat, and takes her to a plus-size children’s clothing store. A new neighbor, Mexican American Catalina, becomes a good friend as Ellie faces fat-shaming and searches for freedom in a weight-obsessed world.