This was wholly unexpected. I thought I was going to get a dark psychological thriller, but ended up getting a messy, poignant analysis of grief. 
This book was beautifully executed with smart pacing. I was compelled to read it in one sitting. 
It dealt with a lot of heavy issues through the perspective of a teen really working through huge emotions and circumstances. I liked that therapy was woven into the story and thought the therapy sparked some interesting discussions and points. 
I look forward to reading this author’s previous works. 

This book is beautifully written, heartfelt, and educational. Iris is a wonderful character who is spunky and determined. 

One thing I did find frustrating, however, was some of the character choices from the adults in the story.

I know that the grandmother character is fleshed out early on so we understand her, but she still seemed irresponsible to me in the big plot point of traveling with Iris without telling Iris’ parents. While I know she is an adult Iris trusts, I didn’t like or really buy that she would have taken her across the country without telling her parents. The fact that the book hinged on this for the second half of the story frustrated me. The parental reactions were also a little odd, in my opinion. Also there was definitely some suspension of disbelief when Iris finally arrives at her distribution. I rolled my eyes when she jumped in the water. This didn’t seem realistic

 

Overall I’m glad I read this and I loved being immersed in the smart, complex mind of Iris as she navigated feelings of loneliness and isolation and finding her place in a world where she communicates differently than those around her. 

Starfish is the first book to make me cry in such a long time, but I am so glad for it. Please read this beautiful story. It will enrage you, but it will also fill you with joy and hope and pride. You will fall in love with Ellie. You will hate her bullies and society for treating her with unwarranted malice for living in a body they deem unacceptable. You will remember every hurtful thing ever said to you, but you will also remember all the times you got back up when you were knocked down. This book is a triumph. Thank you for bringing it into the world, Lisa, and for sharing Ellie’s important story. Buy this book or request it at your library ASAP! 

This was sweet and fun. I loved learning about the wrestling culture and thought MJ was a strong character. 

My one big gripe was

that the adult “villain” was so cartoonish. It seemed outlandish for a grown person to take such hatred out on a child. I know people like this exist, but it seemed out of place and goofy to have the grown man try to essentially murder a child in the end. This definitely took the book down a peg for me

 

I wasn’t really feeling the narrator on the audiobook