Bibliography: Spinelli, Jerry. (2000). Stargirl. New York: Alfred A. Knoph, 186 pp.
Genre: Young adult fiction, conformity, individuality, first love
Awards:
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
Arizona Young Readers Award
New Jersey Garden State Teen Book Award
Texas Lone Star Reading List
Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award
Iowa Teen Book Award
Kentucky Bluegrass Master List
Maine Student Book Master List
Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
Massachusetts Children's Book Master List
Book Sense Book of the Year
Indiana Young Hoosier Award
Arizona Young Readers Award
New Jersey Garden State Teen Book Award
Texas Lone Star Reading List
Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award
Iowa Teen Book Award
Kentucky Bluegrass Master List
Maine Student Book Master List
Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
Massachusetts Children's Book Master List
Book Sense Book of the Year
Indiana Young Hoosier Award
Synopsis:
The buzz word at Mica Area High School this year is a name, Stargirl. Stargirl has just started her tenth grade year at Mica after years of home schooling, and she is looking to make friends. Her ukulele serenades, pet rat, and zealous cheerleading may be just a bit more than MAHS students can handle, however. Stargirl is first seen as enchanting and refreshing, but she soon begins to feel the sting of the backlash for her nonconforming ways. Stargirl’s love interest, Leo Borlock, worries about her disconnection to the student body - to “everybody” - and urges her to reconsider her customs. A change in Stargirl does not amount to a change in the student body, however. In the end we are left with the impression that Stargirl keeps her unique qualities and that the eyes of those touched by her presence are opened to the beauty of the individual within us all.
Review:
Stargirl is a great book that connects with young readers struggling between the wish to find and be themselves and the pull of the often stifling and conforming adolescent “society.” The book touches on issues of popularity and conformity as well as first loves. While the subject matter is extremely important to adolescents, the book sticks to only a few main issues making it a great option for younger ages (I recommend 12-18). Stargirl can easily be incorporated into a whole-class reading, literature circles, and independent reading. Furthermore, the character, Stargirl’s total uniqueness, and Leo’s ongoing dilemmas keep the book interesting for multiple age groups. Highly recommended.
2 comments:
Julia,
Great post. I agree, it would keep the interest of many levels of readers. I think it is a great recommendation. My son was convinced this is a girl book, but the narrator is a boy, which kind of made it interesting. I loved your perspective on this book. I think it could quickly become one of my favorites. I also loved Maniac Magee and Loser by Jerry Spinelli, but I think they are for younger audiences. Sometimes I think Spinelli would be a great bridge to Twain or some of the American Tall tales because he incorporates kind of an oral tradition feeling, and nearly mythical figures in his books. Great post! Thank you for sharing your books. See you soon!
Hey Julia,
This book sounds pretty interesting! I'm always really interested in how home schooled kids adjust when they are suddenly thrown into a public school system and expected to succeed. It doesn't surprise me that she had a hard time fitting in...Thanks for the post and I wanna read this now :)
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