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Book Review:

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

A touching and heart-warming story about how one person can make a huge impact on the lives of those around her. A book that seems to touch the lives of  many who have read it.

 

 

 

Points of Interest:

 

Major Story

Minor Story

Summary

Themes and Motifs

Links to Classic Literature

Personal Reaction

Classroom Application

Parental Warning

 

 

                                                                          (Source: Amazon)

 

Major Story:

Susan Julia Caraway moves to a small town in Arizona, but she is far from your average teenage girl. Susan goes by the name of Stargirl, and her appearance is not the only thing that makes her stand out She goes against the normal behavior of many other teens in her school. She sings Happy Birthday to unsuspecting classmates in the cafeteria. She wears long flowing dresses. Plays her ukelele, and carries a small rat with her everywhere she goes. She goes against the status quo in her school. After a while, she becomes the star of the school, winning over fellow students by her unusual behavior, Stargirl gives new life to a school that seems to be fading into the scenery of the dry Arizona desert. Stargirl becomes the school darling, but there is only so much a school can handle with her unusual ways. As is common in most teen lives, the "fad" of Stargirl fades, and she soon becomes shunned by those who once admired her. The novel shows us that one person can make a big difference in the lives of those they touch; in both a positive and negative way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minor Story:

The story tackles the idea that one person can make a significant difference in the lives of those around them. It explores the idea of how much pressure we put on the world to conform to our expectations instead of us trying to change who we are in relationship to the world around us. It would be easy to say that this is a story about the beauty on being different, but what the reader is left with at the end of the day is the reality that we are all fragile and waiting for the world to change. Whether it be by our selfless acts or our selfish ways, we all have an unrealistic expectation of the way life should be. There is also a minor feminist touch in the story which I explore a bit in my Personal Reaction. It is simply my blatantly biased view of the book because I am embarrassingly, constantly looking for, what I call, "The Fried Green Tomato" of a book.

                                               

Summary:

I could take you through each chapter of this short novel and outline the story, but that's so predictable. Just know that it is an extremely easy read about a quirky young girl who changes the lives of everyone she meets. From her first day at school to the Football games that she cheered for, all the way to the bunny hop that marked her abrupt exit from her high school. It is worth the read.For a detailed summary of this fascinating book, visit shmoop.com

                                                                                                      

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                               

Themes and Motifs:

To conform or not to conform? That is the question within this novel. There is an understanding that being different only benefits you as an individual as long as you make others feel good about themselves. In this novel, Stargirl becomes a featured attraction and admired for her unusual behavior only when it meets the expectations of her high school peers. When she continues to be herself after disappointing her peers by showing another school support during a Basketball game, we are shown that no good deed goes unpunished. After weeks of being shunned by classmates, and finally giving in to go along with the crowd, the sparkle that made her star so bright fades away. In short, it is not always possible to fake it until you make it. Ultimately, what is most important in the end is being yourself. If others are not appreciative of your genuine attitude immediately, after years and reflection, they will eventually find that you left a lasting impression on their lives in some way. As young adults, it is difficult to understand something that doesn't fit into a box.                                                  

 

Links to Classic Literature:

There are no direct links to any modern or classic literature. The best thing about this book is that it stands on its own and ushers in a new kind of "coming of age" story that many teens of years past were never exposed to. What this story can do better than a novel like Sense and Sensibility or Pride and Prejudice is that we have a modern girl who is strong and fiercely independent, but not admired by others instantly. She is her own person. She is not trying to rebel against social norms. She simply does not see social norms. She is not influenced by others. They are instead influenced by her.

 

Personal Reaction:

This was a very sweet story. It reminded me of the girls I went to High school with. For myself, having gone to on of the best Performing Arts High Schools in the nation (yes, I'm bragging!), young ladies like Stargirl were the norm. I was not as moved as many young readers will be at reading a story about a girl with flowers in her hair singing "Happy Birthday: to strangers. With that being said, I would be thrilled for more teens to meet a young lady like Stargirl. All the Stargirls of my life gave me some of the best teenage years I could have ever asked for!   

 

My only grievance with this story was the inclusion of a love story. It felt out of place to include a budding romance in the story. Nothing comes of it and it does not add to the spirit of the story. It could have easily been omitted, and the message of the story would not have been lost. I think the author should have replaced the love story between Leo and Stargirl with a close female friendship and it would have actually worked to the stories advantage. Not all girls are boy crazy, and the idea that Stargirl would want a boyfriend felt mismatched to her personality. The only thing the inclusion does is show that a girl does not need a boyfriend to be well liked by others. In my own way, the great thing about the failed relationship was that Stargirl was only negatively impacted by the distraction of havong a boyfriend. I can only hope that more girls see it this way and realize their high school years do not need to be wasted on trying to please a boy or fit in once they have a boyfriend. And even deeper, that the love and support of a female is what really keeps you centered and happy with yourself.

                                  

Classroom Application:

 

The Ultimate Mixer

This is a great opportunity to get your students to branch out of their inner circles. Stargirl was not intimidated by others; as a matter of fact. she was more intrigued and curious to get connected with her fellow classmates. A great assignment for this text would be the Stargirl Mix and Swirl. Throw a gathering with your various English Classes who will be reading this novel. Encourage each student to walk up to someone they have never spoken to before. Give the students one month to get to know one another and write a short article. The article should include a social activity, a meeting of the family and friends, and a detailed biography. The top five articles will be featured in the school paper. And who knows what may blossom from the new friendships. This will allow students to see the benefits of being more social and getting to know people at their core rather than on surface alone. In today's very superficial world, where social media is slowly killing meaningful verbal communication and interaction, a project like this will serve to leave a lasting impression on your students.

 

Meet and Greet

Stargirl was never afraid to speak to a stranger. While at school, encourage your students to stop and say "hello" to everyone they pass in the hall for an entire week. Have them write a reflective journal entry about how the experience impacted them. Was it difficult to do when they were having a tough day? Did it make them feel better when they too were greeted? Did they notice a change in the school climate with the increase in polite little pleasantries?

 

For additional activities and ideas, visit either Teachers.net or the Scholastic website. Here, on these two sites, you will find ideas to inspire you to tap into your inner Stargirl and create something unique and enjoyable for your class.

 

Warning for Parents:

 

Parents, be prepared for your child to want to play the ukelele, design their own clothing, own a pet rat, and become a vegetarian. In other words, be prepared for your child to give you at least 3-4 months of pure joy and entertainment. 

 

 

 

Major Story
Minor Story
Summary
Themes and Motifs
Links to Classic Literature
Personal Reaction
Classroom Application
Warning for Parents
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