It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner, an ala top ten best books for young adults award winner, and a publishers weekly best book of the. Somewhere in the midst of stargirl s arrival and rise and fall, normal leo borlock has tumbled into love with her. This is a gently mystical, thoughtprovoking, and enchanting rumination on conformity. Their dates change from doing acts of kindness to going out for a slice of pizza and a movie. What happens to the popular kids in the storydo they stay popular. Stargirl trades in her quirky wardrobe for designer clothes and begins going by susan, her birth name. The novel takes the form of the worlds longest letter, in diary form, going from date to date through. She sparks a schoolspirit revolution with just one cheer. Through this crafted book the characters and reader will experience an emotional tale about the perils of popularity, friendship, and first love. Then after they talked, the other day in school stargil was different. After 15 years of home schooling, stargirl bursts into tenth grade in an explosion of color and a clatter of ukulele music, enchanting the mica student body.
Read more extraordinary books from the author of stargirl. When stargirl decides to form a singing group leo and kevin believe she is getting goofy again. Stargirl questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on stargirl. The novel takes the form of the worlds longest letter, in diary form, going from date to date through a. The night of the ocotillo ball arrives, and leo has not invited stargirl to go with him. Critics praise the stargirl character, and its overall message of nonconformity. See more ideas about cool words, words and me quotes. Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of knopf books. Stargirl s entrance to school is a big deal for all the students in this small arizona town. When leo tries to talk to her about the fact that everyone in school has shunned her, she explains that the fact that he and dori talk to her is enough. Stargirl from the day she arrives at quiet mica high in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the. Love, stargirl picks up a year after stargirl ends and reveals the new life of the beloved character who moved away so suddenly at the end of stargirl. Love, stargirl, the companion novel written from stargirls perspective, was a similarly smashing success in 2007, with over 400,000 hardcover copies sold. Stargirl is different from everyone else at school.
From the day she arrives at quiet mica high in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of stargirl, stargirl. It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner, a publishers weekly best book of the year, and received other numerous awards and honors. She stopped at an empty table, laid down her bag, slung the. A modernday classic and new york times bestseller from newbery medalist jerry spinelli. In a celebration of nonconformity, jerry spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the fleeting, cruel nature of popularityand the thrill and inspiration of first love. Eleventhgrader leo borlock cannot quite believe the new student who calls herself stargirl. Stargirl 2000 jerry spinelli authentically captures a free spirit high school girl that alternately perplexes, annoys and inspires her peers. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli and first published in 2000 stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirl s character and the novels overall message of nonconformity.
Formerly homeschooled, stargirl comes to their arizona high school with a pet rat and a ukulele, wild clothes and amazing habits. Stargirl movie tiein edition by jerry spinelli, paperback barnes. Leo borlock follows the unspoken rule at mica area high school. It is, in some ways, a ya version of the little prince, or a female version of spinellis own awardwinning maniac magee. All the reminiscing is new to the uninitiated reader and builds intrigue about her. Then stargirl arrives at mica high and everything changesfor leo and for the entire school. Spinelli was already a celebrated childrens author by the time the book was written and it met with critical success, being lauded for its message of nonconformity. Mica high changed completely because of a person named stargirl. Stargirl is one for the ages this book has changed me, i aspire to be like stargirl she is unique and amazing in her own way.
My friend told me after i read it you only have one chance to be the real you, yes its scary and tough and not everyone will accept you but you must be able to live your life freely and happily stargirl does just that. When she first makes her appearances as a sophomore in a high school in the small town mica, arizona she becomes the talk of the day and her name echoes throughout the hallways. Stargirl is new at mica and everyone stares at her with disgrace, except one boy named leo. A beloved new york times bestsellernow in trade paperback. In this story about the perils of popularity, the courage of nonconformity, and the thrill of first love, an eccentric student named stargirl. There are no tidy endings at the conclusion of jerry spinellis beloved ya novel stargirl. Stargirl is a young adult novel by the writer jerry spinelli that was published in the year 2000. Spinelli has produced a poetic allegorical tale about the magnificence and rarity of true nonconformity. Though written thirty years after my high school years, this book brought into sharp focuslike no other in recent memoryhow an unconventional teenager can affect fellow students.
He would not talk to her until stargir grabed him and started talking to him. Stargirl by jerry spinelli scholastic books for kids. All girls seem to like the same music and dress the same way and talk the same. Stargirl by jerry spinelli paperback book the parent store. Kate dicamillos beloved, bestselling debut novel is now available in a paperback digest edition.
Jerry spinelli is having a very good name when it comes to the childrens novels and the book we are taking about is one of his greatest books as well. He received another one in the mail, but it did not say who it was from. Stargirl and dori, the only two in the group, do a duet in the courtyard. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory. The novel takes the form of the worlds longest letter, in diary form, going from date to date through a little more than a years time. And, even though they are good, the others make fun of them. Stargirl, book by jerry spinelli mass market paperback. Jerry spinelli is the author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including maniac magee, winner of the newbery medal, and stargirl, a new york times bestseller and an ala top ten best book for young adults. Stargirl is a touching and thoughtful book, a celebration of individualism and a condemnation of the kind of society that would stifle it. So everyone in school hated her except her boyfriend leo. A bittersweet paean to eccentricity and nonconformity, it is also a scathing commentary on teenagers, which makes its popularity with them all the more interesting. She did carry a large canvas bag with a lifesize sunflower painted on it.
Spinelli made his picture book debut with my daddy and me, a loving tribute to fathers and sons. Love, stargirl is a sequel to the spinellis bestseller stargirl, which is referenced throughout the book. Stargirl by jerry spinelli reflects the themes of conformity, individuality and kindness, especially in how the title character relates to other people in her school and town. She captures leo borlocks heart with just one smile. Though written thirty years after my high school years, this book brought into sharp focuslike no other in recent memoryhow an. Stargirl, who up till now has been homeschooled, starts school at mica high as a tenth grader, where leo is starting his eleventh grade year. This works great if the two are read in reverse order love, stargirl and then stargirl. Stargirl has received a lot of praise from critics. The sheeplike school students are all recognizable. She sings happy birthday to classmates in the lunchroom, props a small. Leos uncle gives him his porcupine necktie before he moves to arizona. She captures leo borlock s heart with just one smile. In fact, stargirl doesnt seem worried about the fact that she doesnt have many friends.
Stargirl book the seattle public library bibliocommons. My summer reading book is called stargirl by jerry spinelli. Now, both bestselling paperbacks are collected in a handsome new boxed set, the ideal gift for any teen reader, as well as any of the many stargirl fans looking for a new keepsake edition of this beloved pair of novels. When leo realized nobody in school talked to him except stargirl.