Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is a contemporary novel about a high school in Mica, Arizona that is suffering from being utter and completely ordinary. But then a girl named Stargirl comes to town and changes everything. She is unlike anyone the narrator Leo as ever seen. She's out-going, extremely kind, and widely unique, while everyone attending Mica High School are trapped in the Status quo. As Stargirl continues to surprise, Leo finds himself falling for her unintentionally. Stargirl and Leo's relationship goes against everything Leo and others have ever known. Tensions rise, and no one knows if or when Mica will go back to normal. But do they want to go back to normal?



It took me a little bit to figure out how I felt about this book. It was definitely unlike anything I have read before, but it was a whole other scale of different. However, I realized it wasn't the book itself rather it was Stargirl. At some spots I thought she was labeling being creepy as being friendly, and it was a little unsettling.

However, what Stargirl stood for and represented I loved. I think Spinelli used Stargirl to convey the theme to the reader. From what I understood, the theme is to be yourself no matter what others say or think and you will be happy. Stargirl was true to herself even though she was shunned for it, but in her eyes, it was their loss because she was the happiest she could be.

I also liked the book being from Leo's point of view rather than the obvious (Stargirl). It gave the reader both ways people viewed Stargirl--a weird outsider or an outgoing, friendly girl.

Even though this novel did have it's flaws, it was definitely effective literature. The overall message and theme is very relatable to all readers, especially teens. All of us have struggled with identity and being true to ourselves at least once in our lives; it's part of adolescence. But reading about Stargirl shows the reader that it's okay to be yourself even if the people around you judge you for it.

**** I give Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli 4 our of 5 stars.