- Books
- YA Fiction & Indies
- Young Adult Fiction
- Stargirl
Stargirl
Editor reviews
Stargirl, first published in 2000, is now available in paperback. It has received a lot of recognition: ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, A Parent's Choice Gold Award Winner, and A Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year, among others. However, the most important stamp of approval is from the readers. I have yet to meet someone who did not like this book.
Stargirl is one of the main characters of the book. We meet her through the eyes of Leo Borlock, who falls in love with her. She is the kind of person that many of us would like to be, but most of us are too scared to be. She is different from her classmates and from Leo in a way that they can't even classify.
At first, her differences captivate them. But soon, they turn on her. Like most high school students (not to mention adults), they aren't ready for what Stargirl represents.
Stargirl loves Leo and she tries to please him by becoming "normal." For the others at school, her attempts are too little too late. For the reader, they are enough to make you cry.
Stargirl is a tense and desperate tale. It is also enlightening, entertaining, and hopeful. I can only hope that someday we will all be a little more like Stargirl and a lot less likely to judge those like her.
User reviews
First of all, you have Jerry Spinelli's inimitable writing style. He manages to infuse a feeling of epic myth into his stories, even when talking about modern day teenagers in Arizona.
Then you have the character of Stargirl, who is so quirky and innocent, so loving and funny, that she shames you into wanting to become a better person.
Then you have the message of the book, which asks you how important love and a sense of self is to you... when you pit it against social expectations.
Everything about this book is as good as it could be.
"Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli is a simple, complex, amazing work of art. after looking at every thing else in your library's bookshelves, it stands out.
Stargirl isn't this powerful gir's given name. By the end of the story you don't care about her given name. You don't care that that there was a cliffhanger of an ending to the story. You don't care that the high school kids just seem to be unfair about the way they treat her just because she acts differently.
What you do care about is that after you put down the book, you tingle with excitement at the gusto of Stargirl. Because Stargirl never tried to be anybody else. She didn't want to have a boyfirend. She didn't want to wear makeup. She didn't want to be a cheerleader.
Instead Stargirl has a good relationship with her parents, which is hard to have when you're a teenager. She did her own thing (i.e. dance in the rain, play the ukelele, meditate). Stargirl kows who she is. She never tried to be anyone else. Stargirl was Stargirl.
If you like some of John Green's work you might like Stargirl.
Stargirl
By Jerry Spinelli
About a normal boy (I forget his name), and a very un-normal girl who picks her own name (a different one every couple of years), wears clothes from old movie sets, is at school for the first time, and lives for other people. I was worried this book was going to do the whole weird hippie homeschooler kind of thing, and actually, I dont remember whether it did or not.
Likes
A. nice characters
B. easy read
Dislikes
A. not the best writing, but still fairly good
I loved this book, really couldn't put it down and was sad to see it end. There is so much life, flavor, and color in the writing style and quirky characters. The cover, while not bad, hardly does it justice. There is also a subtle, sweet love story to be had here. But the focus on more on the whimsy and fun in the lives of two teenagers who break the mold.
We thought that the book was very interesting. First, Stargirl moves to a new school and she was unpopular. Then she meets hillari kimble and she joins the cheerleading squad. Then Stargirl becomes very popular and then she was put on the hotseat. The hotseat is where the hosts ask you a series of questions and you are being video taped while you answer them, and then the whole school watches it. Then Stargirl wins a award for giving speeches. She then goes to a competition in Phoenix Arizona and she wins first place. Overall we thought this book was very interesting. We really think you should read it! You will really like it!
This book Stargirl is a must read for any teen. I read it twice so that I could understand the story. Being a younger girl the first time I needed to grow to understand everything through another pair of eyes that are older and aware of relationships between the characters.
What I liked most about the book was it left me wanting more to the story. I did not want the book to end. I was sad at the end . I am looking forward to reading "Love Stargirl". I really like this author and all Jerry Spinelli stories. I was sad when Mr. Spinelli's book signing tour was canceled recently due to his health. I look forward to his writing more books for a long time to come. Maybe I will get to meet him someday!
I read the book Stargirl in 5th grade and just read it again for 7th grade and I love it! I am a huge fan and I am only 12 years old! I know what Jerry Spinelli looks like from pictures, but I have always wanted to meet him in person. I live in the same state (Pennsylvania) as him. I almost met him at a book store near my home, but they had to cancel because of health reasons. But hopefully I'll meet him one day!! I cant wait to read LOVE STARGIRL! I am sure it will be an excellent story.
Your fan,
Erin Bullock
Latest Additions
GET A YABC BUTTON!
We have all sorts of YABC buttons for your website. Grab one here and link to YABC!