Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

At Mica High School in Mica, Arizona, things are quiet and uneventful. Everyone dresses alike. Everyone thinks alike. No one does anything that's different than their neighbor.

Until Stargirl comes along.

Homeschooled for years, Stargirl defies categorization. She wears long, flowy pioneer dresses daily, and on special occasions, costumes. She serenades people with birthday songs on her ukelele at lunch. She brings her pet rat to school. She looks strangers in the eye. She dances to no music.

Leo Borlock was perfectly happy with his generic Mica life. Then, against his will, he finds himself falling for Stargirl. The two share an incredible, eye-opening romance. In their own little world, everything is perfect and magical. But when they have to face their critical classmates, what will happen to their relationship?

This is by far Jerry Spinelli's best. It is a beautifully written story about nonconformity and the seeds of magic and quirkiness that are actually in everyone. Readers will wish that they were friends with Stargirl. This is a sad story, but extremely touching and timeless.