Bibliography
Spinelli, J. (2000). Stargirl. New York: Random House Children’s Books.
186 pages
Plot
Leo Borlock is a freshman at Mica High in Arizona. Leo enjoys high school; he is the director of a student produced television show for the school named Hot Seat. He is not necessarily impressed with popularity, but likes to know he is part of something. All that changes when Stargirl transfers to Mica High. She is an enigmatic girl, finding quirky ways to encourage the student body. Leo is initially drawn to her, but hesitant due to her strange ways. The school initially supports Stargirl, allowing her to join the cheerleading squad and becomes enamored with her ability to find the best in everyone. However, when she begins rooting for both sides in a basketball game, people begin to distrust Stargirl’s sincerity. Can Leo learn to deal with Stargirl’s uniqueness or is his status within the school more important?
Review
Jerry Spinelli’s Stargirl is a touching commentary on social standing and peer groups in high school. Striking a chord, the book looks at the desire for students to be popular at the expense of their true personalities. Spinelli succeeds in his ability to accurately portray high school life, both the good parts and bad, including everyone’s desire to fit in. Even Stargirl wants to fit in, but her idea of fitting in is quite different to others. Spinelli’s characterizations are quite real, and readers will be able to connect with both Leo and Stargirl, seeing both Leo’s desire to fit in with his peers and Stargirl’s need to find happiness.
Genre
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level
This book would appeal to readers in 6th-9th grade.
Similar Content
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Personal thoughts
I really liked Stargirl, it was fun and I liked how Leo was still able to find hope in the end.
Subjects/themes
Individuality
High School Life
Relationships
Coming of Age
Popularity
Awards
ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults
Series information
Spinelli wrote a sequel entitled, Love, Stargirl.
Character names/descriptions
Leo Borlock: A young freshman trying to find his way in high school.
Stargirl: Transfers to Mica High and changes the way the high school and its individuals see themselves by being herself.
Archie: A mentor to both Leo and Stargirl, helping them find themselves during high school.
Annotation:
High School is hard enough to fit in, but what happens when a girl strives to be different, strives to be herself?
Spinelli, J. (2000). Stargirl. New York: Random House Children’s Books.
186 pages
Plot
Leo Borlock is a freshman at Mica High in Arizona. Leo enjoys high school; he is the director of a student produced television show for the school named Hot Seat. He is not necessarily impressed with popularity, but likes to know he is part of something. All that changes when Stargirl transfers to Mica High. She is an enigmatic girl, finding quirky ways to encourage the student body. Leo is initially drawn to her, but hesitant due to her strange ways. The school initially supports Stargirl, allowing her to join the cheerleading squad and becomes enamored with her ability to find the best in everyone. However, when she begins rooting for both sides in a basketball game, people begin to distrust Stargirl’s sincerity. Can Leo learn to deal with Stargirl’s uniqueness or is his status within the school more important?
Review
Jerry Spinelli’s Stargirl is a touching commentary on social standing and peer groups in high school. Striking a chord, the book looks at the desire for students to be popular at the expense of their true personalities. Spinelli succeeds in his ability to accurately portray high school life, both the good parts and bad, including everyone’s desire to fit in. Even Stargirl wants to fit in, but her idea of fitting in is quite different to others. Spinelli’s characterizations are quite real, and readers will be able to connect with both Leo and Stargirl, seeing both Leo’s desire to fit in with his peers and Stargirl’s need to find happiness.
Genre
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Level
This book would appeal to readers in 6th-9th grade.
Similar Content
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Personal thoughts
I really liked Stargirl, it was fun and I liked how Leo was still able to find hope in the end.
Subjects/themes
Individuality
High School Life
Relationships
Coming of Age
Popularity
Awards
ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults
Series information
Spinelli wrote a sequel entitled, Love, Stargirl.
Character names/descriptions
Leo Borlock: A young freshman trying to find his way in high school.
Stargirl: Transfers to Mica High and changes the way the high school and its individuals see themselves by being herself.
Archie: A mentor to both Leo and Stargirl, helping them find themselves during high school.
Annotation:
High School is hard enough to fit in, but what happens when a girl strives to be different, strives to be herself?
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