Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli
Laurel Leaf
Also by the Author:
Eggs
Loser
Maniac Mcgee (all three ages 9-12)
Summary: Stargirl is the new girl in school, but she is different. She wears long pioneer dresses and plays the ukulele at school. She has a pet rat, and spends her time doing nice things for perfect strangers. She is weird, and Leo falls in love with her. At first, so does the entire school. It takes some time, but they are soon following her lead, and making her a cheerleader. However, when she starts cheering for the BOTH teams, and showing up at stranger’s funerals, the student body turns on her. They start to shun her, and Leo, as her boyfriend, is shunned as well. Although she seems oblivious to it, Leo is very much affected by the shunning, and tries to get her to be “normal.” She loves him so much that for a time she tries it, but it doesn’t work, so she goes back to being who she was before. It ends their relationship because Leo needs acceptance from others too much to be shunned. Stargirl continues to be who she is, and at the end of the year, she disappears after a fantastic showing at the Commencement dance. She leaves an impression on all who knew her, however, especially Leo.
Personal Review: I loved the portrayal of Stargirl as someone who is different, and how the whole school changed for the better when they accepted her. It is a lesson many teenagers could learn from at the difficult stage in life called high school. This book made me want to be more like her in some ways, and made me recognize myself in Leo, and in the other students. It was a quick read with a powerful message.
Cautionary Note: None, unless you are offended by quirkiness.
Here's a little preview for the sequel Love, Stargirl...the story from Stargirl's point of view!
Laurel Leaf
Also by the Author:
Eggs
Loser
Maniac Mcgee (all three ages 9-12)
Summary: Stargirl is the new girl in school, but she is different. She wears long pioneer dresses and plays the ukulele at school. She has a pet rat, and spends her time doing nice things for perfect strangers. She is weird, and Leo falls in love with her. At first, so does the entire school. It takes some time, but they are soon following her lead, and making her a cheerleader. However, when she starts cheering for the BOTH teams, and showing up at stranger’s funerals, the student body turns on her. They start to shun her, and Leo, as her boyfriend, is shunned as well. Although she seems oblivious to it, Leo is very much affected by the shunning, and tries to get her to be “normal.” She loves him so much that for a time she tries it, but it doesn’t work, so she goes back to being who she was before. It ends their relationship because Leo needs acceptance from others too much to be shunned. Stargirl continues to be who she is, and at the end of the year, she disappears after a fantastic showing at the Commencement dance. She leaves an impression on all who knew her, however, especially Leo.
Personal Review: I loved the portrayal of Stargirl as someone who is different, and how the whole school changed for the better when they accepted her. It is a lesson many teenagers could learn from at the difficult stage in life called high school. This book made me want to be more like her in some ways, and made me recognize myself in Leo, and in the other students. It was a quick read with a powerful message.
Cautionary Note: None, unless you are offended by quirkiness.
Here's a little preview for the sequel Love, Stargirl...the story from Stargirl's point of view!
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