Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Audience: 11 and up
Rating: A
Synopsis:
There’s a new girl at Mica Area High School, and she doesn’t fit in. She calls herself “Stargirl,” wears funny clothing, sings in the cafeteria, says ‘hello’ to strangers in the hallway, and cheers for both teams at athletic events. The student body is at first scared of her, then they love her, and then they shun her. This is a strong book with an important message.
Chatter:
(Spoiler Alerts ) Wow! Great suggestion, Goldilocks. I’ve read other books by Jerry Spinelli, but I’ve never enjoyed one as much as I did this book. The author’s style draws you right into the plot. I was hooked after the foreboding intro: “We were all being watched.”
Stargirl is a fascinating character. She makes me wonder how we would all act if we didn’t worry about what other people thought. Stargirl really sums herself when she says that while she doesn’t care what others think, she very much cares about others (pg. 135 in my book). It’s painful to watch as Stargirl gives up her true self to try and blend in, and still stands out so much. The scene where Leo tells Susan that she laughs too much, and we learn that Stargirl responds by no longer laughing is heart wrenching.
What I like about this book is its realism. Think about how people would react if Stargirl arrived at your school – would she be immediately accepted? In the book, when people began to copy Stargirl and buy pet rats and ukuleles, she didn’t even notice. How often do trendsetters in your school not notice they’re being watched? One of the biggest misconceptions at Mica High was that Susan had chosen the name “Stargirl” because she thought she was a star or wanted to attract attention. Very few people were willing to listen to her true explanation of why she chose this name; they were too busy being judgmental.
Our narrator, Leo, is also terribly realistic and flawed. I found myself disliking him for most of the book – but I can’t imagine many people who would have acted differently in his situation. Still, I wanted him to stick up for Stargirl, just once. Leo was so passive; he let life happen to him and around him. Reading about his actions was a bit like watching a car crash – you wanted to yell out to Leo to “stop” and change direction, but you knew it was too late.
I know that there’s a sequel Love, Stargirl. Has anyone read it? Does anyone recommend it?
Questions:
Do you think Stargirl tries to be different or she just is different?
What do you think Stargirl’s best quality is? Her worst?
What name would you pick for Stargirl? Leo?
Keep reading!
-Paige
Brooke Says:
I think Stargirl is different because she is unique in a good way. Also I think her best quality is being herself because she never really judges anything.
Goldilocks Says:
I think Stargirl’s best quality is that she is so unique. Personally, I don’t think she has a worst quality.
Misty Says:
i have not read stargrl yet, but it sounds so cool! i would love to hear everyone’s opinion on it!!!! i don’t care if you spoil the secrets!
Loser by Jerry Spinelli | Turning the Paige Says:
[...] Alerts! ) Loser seemed very much like a male version of Stargirl by the same author. This book, however, isn’t nearly as interesting. Zinkoff is not as likeable a [...]
Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli | Turning the Paige Says:
[...] clarified in this book was why Stargirl liked Leo in the first place. If you read my posting for Stargirl, you saw that I didn’t get the attraction at all. Now? I’d be curious to read a third book in [...]
Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick | Turning the Paige Says:
[...] reminded me a bit of the character Stargirl in the book Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli because of the way she changes her name to show that she’s changed. Also, because Woody plays the [...]
Diana Says:
I think that Stargirl is different because in the book, the senor told Leo how Stargirl always comes by him, and is very different. Also, Stargirl was trying to fit in at her new school, and she would not act weird if she were trying to fit in. Also, she wanted to make friends, and if she wasn’t being herself it would be hard to make some real friends. For example, Stargirl played the ukulele! So no, I do not think Stargirl was pretending to be weird, or different, which is good because you should always be yourself.
Little Mermaid Says:
I think that stargirl wasn’t being different just to get attention I think that is just how she is and before she went to Mica High school she was home schooled so she had no idea what to except from all the kids in high school. I also think that if she didn’t have Leo with her then she would fallen into per pressure and she wouldn’t be self and she would be Susan instead of stargirl. Also I think she really made her self-different then everyone else was Cinnamon and her Ukuleles. Also I think that people in Mica High School weren’t use to have a girl so different. Because Leo said that she was different because she didn’t wear makeup or didn’t were the same outfits as the other girl did. So I think she was just being who she has always been.
Eagles Says:
What is the authors messege to this book