Starfish: The Board Game
2-3 Players
This digital board game is inspired by Lisa Fipps' 2021 novel in verse, Starfish. The text, intended for readers ages 10 and up, follows Ellie as she starts her seventh grade year and endures relentless bullying by classmates, her mom, and her siblings for her weight. Over the course of the novel - with the support of her father, therapist, and friends - Ellie learns how to stand up for herself, take up space, and love herself as she is.
Ages 10+
Directions:
1. Each player chooses 1 boardgame piece, all of which represent things Ellie loves (writing, swimming, and her dog). Click and drag the pieces to the START rectangle. 2. Player 1 clicks the dice and moves their piece that number of spaces. Click the number on the square you land on. Read the quotation, context, and directions provided. Quotations have been selected because they represent critical plot points in Ellie's journey towards self-love and self-advocacy. These plot points will be connected to directions that prompt you to move forward, stay where you are, or move back. Follow these directions. 3. Take turns until one player crosses the finish line.
click the arrow to the right to access boardgame
Start
Starfish: The Board Game
Works Cited Fipps, L. (2021). Starfish. Nancy Paulsen Books.
Can you help Ellie stand up to her bullies and learn to accept herself as she is?
Game board pieces 👇
click and drag!
END
(Fipps, p. 107) You get recognized for your writing! Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 50) Even though your best friend, Viv, moved away, you've met a wonderful new friend in Catalina. Stay where you are.
(Fipps, p. 60) You always find comfort in your dog, Gigi. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 37) Dad takes you to a plus-sized clothing store for the first time. For the first time, you find clothes that make you feel beautiful and worthy. Move ahead 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 138) Your sister has never been kind to you about your weight or stuck up for you when your brother has said horrible things. Today she acknowledges the hurt she's caused and is looking to repair it. You reluctantly accept her apology. Stay where you are.
(Fipps, p. 62) You try covering your belly with a pillow, and your therapist responds with the words above. It's what you've wanted to hear your mom say to you for a long time. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 216) After going to countless doctors who make you feel ashamed of your weight, you finally find Dr. V. She makes you feel comfortable and doesn't pathologize your body. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 99) You find your brother's journal and read all the horrible things he says about you. You tear the pagse up and burn them. Go back 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 81) Marissa and Kortnee steal your shirt in the locker room and make fun of how big it is. You stick up for yourself by calling them names in return. It doesn't feel as good as you thought it would. Stay where you are.
(Fipps, p. 79) You're starting to recognize that it's not your body that makes you feel unhappy - it's the cruelty of others. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 1) You're doing what you love most - swimming. Stay where you are.
(Fipps, p. 115) When a boy at school says "Get back! Make room! Thar she blows!" you respond with the words above. This feels empowering because you're standing up for yourself without perpetuating cruelty. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 121) When Kortnee and Marissa unscrew the bolts in your desk chair before you sit down, you experience one of the most humiliating moments of your life. Moreover, your teacher is unable to effectively address the bullying. Move back 2 spaces
(Fipps, p. 240) You finally confront your mom for all the hurt she's caused you. Proceed to the finish line. You win!
(Fipps, p. 190) You haven't had a mirror since the day you broke yours after your mom made you look in it while she pointed out everything wrong about you. Catalina, your new friend, has gifted you a new one for Christmas. For the first time, you think your reflection is beautiful. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p 22) Your mom cuts you down - again. It puts you in a spiral of self-hatred. Move back 1 space.
(Fipps, p.156) You struggle to engage in self-compassion. Move back 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 111) You retell the story to your therapist about the girl at Niagara Falls who took your picture without your permission and giggled with her friends about it. Your dad hears you from the waiting room and comes in to offer you support. Stay where you are.
(Fipps, p. 183) With the help of your therapist, you’ve replaced a negative thought about your body with a positive one. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 69) You feel less than human when your mom refers to someone on screen as a "thing." Move back 1 space.
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Madeleine Gecht
Created on November 2, 2025
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Transcript
Starfish: The Board Game
2-3 Players
This digital board game is inspired by Lisa Fipps' 2021 novel in verse, Starfish. The text, intended for readers ages 10 and up, follows Ellie as she starts her seventh grade year and endures relentless bullying by classmates, her mom, and her siblings for her weight. Over the course of the novel - with the support of her father, therapist, and friends - Ellie learns how to stand up for herself, take up space, and love herself as she is.
Ages 10+
Directions:
1. Each player chooses 1 boardgame piece, all of which represent things Ellie loves (writing, swimming, and her dog). Click and drag the pieces to the START rectangle. 2. Player 1 clicks the dice and moves their piece that number of spaces. Click the number on the square you land on. Read the quotation, context, and directions provided. Quotations have been selected because they represent critical plot points in Ellie's journey towards self-love and self-advocacy. These plot points will be connected to directions that prompt you to move forward, stay where you are, or move back. Follow these directions. 3. Take turns until one player crosses the finish line.
click the arrow to the right to access boardgame
Start
Starfish: The Board Game
Works Cited Fipps, L. (2021). Starfish. Nancy Paulsen Books.
Can you help Ellie stand up to her bullies and learn to accept herself as she is?
Game board pieces 👇
click and drag!
END
(Fipps, p. 107) You get recognized for your writing! Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 50) Even though your best friend, Viv, moved away, you've met a wonderful new friend in Catalina. Stay where you are.
(Fipps, p. 60) You always find comfort in your dog, Gigi. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 37) Dad takes you to a plus-sized clothing store for the first time. For the first time, you find clothes that make you feel beautiful and worthy. Move ahead 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 138) Your sister has never been kind to you about your weight or stuck up for you when your brother has said horrible things. Today she acknowledges the hurt she's caused and is looking to repair it. You reluctantly accept her apology. Stay where you are.
(Fipps, p. 62) You try covering your belly with a pillow, and your therapist responds with the words above. It's what you've wanted to hear your mom say to you for a long time. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 216) After going to countless doctors who make you feel ashamed of your weight, you finally find Dr. V. She makes you feel comfortable and doesn't pathologize your body. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 99) You find your brother's journal and read all the horrible things he says about you. You tear the pagse up and burn them. Go back 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 81) Marissa and Kortnee steal your shirt in the locker room and make fun of how big it is. You stick up for yourself by calling them names in return. It doesn't feel as good as you thought it would. Stay where you are.
(Fipps, p. 79) You're starting to recognize that it's not your body that makes you feel unhappy - it's the cruelty of others. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 1) You're doing what you love most - swimming. Stay where you are.
(Fipps, p. 115) When a boy at school says "Get back! Make room! Thar she blows!" you respond with the words above. This feels empowering because you're standing up for yourself without perpetuating cruelty. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 121) When Kortnee and Marissa unscrew the bolts in your desk chair before you sit down, you experience one of the most humiliating moments of your life. Moreover, your teacher is unable to effectively address the bullying. Move back 2 spaces
(Fipps, p. 240) You finally confront your mom for all the hurt she's caused you. Proceed to the finish line. You win!
(Fipps, p. 190) You haven't had a mirror since the day you broke yours after your mom made you look in it while she pointed out everything wrong about you. Catalina, your new friend, has gifted you a new one for Christmas. For the first time, you think your reflection is beautiful. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p 22) Your mom cuts you down - again. It puts you in a spiral of self-hatred. Move back 1 space.
(Fipps, p.156) You struggle to engage in self-compassion. Move back 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 111) You retell the story to your therapist about the girl at Niagara Falls who took your picture without your permission and giggled with her friends about it. Your dad hears you from the waiting room and comes in to offer you support. Stay where you are.
(Fipps, p. 183) With the help of your therapist, you’ve replaced a negative thought about your body with a positive one. Move forward 1 space.
(Fipps, p. 69) You feel less than human when your mom refers to someone on screen as a "thing." Move back 1 space.