Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman follows Kiko Himura, a biracial teenager with social anxiety, who navigates her struggles with identity, family issues, and her dreams of becoming an artist. After being rejected by her dream art school, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing, learning to embrace her heritage and talents.

Reviews & Readership

4.4

11,976 ratings

81%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Review Roundup

Akemi Dawn Bowman's Starfish is highly praised for its authentic portrayal of mental health issues and the journey of self-discovery. Readers commend the relatable and heartfelt protagonist, as well as Bowman's lyrical writing style. Some critique the predictable plot, but the emotional depth and vivid descriptions largely overshadow this.

Who Should Read Starfish?

A reader who would enjoy Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman is someone who appreciates heartfelt contemporary YA novels that explore themes of identity, mental health, and resilience. Fans of Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon or Turtles All the Way Down by John Green will find similar emotional depth and character-driven storytelling.

4.4

11,976 ratings

81%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

The Book Brief page features content created with AI tools guided by SuperSummary experts. Read our content pledge to explore how we innovate using AI combined with deep literary knowledge.

Book Details

Pages

353

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre

Realistic Fiction

•

Romance

•

Modern Classic Fiction

Setting