She stopped at an empty table, laid down her bag, slung the. Like the title character, the book stargirl also falls into more than one category, or genre, of fiction. The novel takes the form of the worlds longest letter, in diary form, going from date to date through a little more than a years time. Nevertheless, stargirl falls under the realism genre because its a book about very believable teenage life. First, because i knew she would sympathize with stargirl and see the situation from a larger perspective. Stargirl, a young adult novel by prolific and critically acclaimed author jerry spinelli, was published in august 2000. The book begins with the introduction of the character leo borlock. Her name is stargirl, and she dramatically transforms the way the students see themselves and the world forever. The tv series stars several dc comics heroes led by stargirl, who is based on the comics. She captures leo borlocks heart with just one smile. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of stargirl by jerry spinelli. However, i feel like this followup book was not as good as the first.
In this lesson, we will look at the genres of the book stargirl by. Stargirl by jerry spinelli scholastic books for kids. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli and first published in 2000. Like when leo became stargirls boyfriend because of. She sparks a schoolspirit revolution with just one cheer. The book is the sequel to the new york times bestselling book, stargirl, and centers on the worlds longest letter in diary form. It is one of those ya books that are relevant and replete with life lessons for all to learn, whether you can relate to the characters or not. Constructed response character map stargirl caraway the reader learns a lot about stargirl in chapters. Somewhere in the midst of stargirls arrival and rise and fall, normal leo borlock has tumbled into love with her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her. Stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirl s character and the novels overall message of nonconformity. The word begins with a brief introduction to leo at the age of twelve, and chronicles his move from his home state of pennsylvania to arizona. Stargirl 2002 read online free book by jerry spinelli in.
Characterization other important characters exposition setting. Written with an honest and humorous tone, spinelli draws readers into leos mind as he desperately tries to figure out stargirl without ruining his social status. Reading level lexile 590 genrelength contemporary fiction. Love, stargirl if stargirl floats your boat, then be sure to check out the sequel. Mica, arizona, a small town in usa mica high, the high school where leo and stargirl went to archies house, the home for a retired professor that has lots of weird stuff the time is present and then fast. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Parents need to know that stargirl is a sort of supernatural character who is difficult to encapsulate, despite her classmates repeated attempts to pigeonhole her. With brec bassinger, yvette monreal, anjelika washington, trae romano. Aug 01, 2000 newberywinning spinelli spins a magical and heartbreaking tale from the stuff of high school. But the delicate scales of popularity suddenly shift, and stargirl is shunned for everything that makes her different. Then stargirl arrives at mica high and everything changes. Booksource is the premier trade book distributor to k12 school classrooms. Youngadult fiction an extremely peculiar new girl arrives at mica high school.
Like many of spinellis other young adult novels, stargirl deals with. Characters speak and dress in an everyday way, and fall in love just like the rest of us. Love, stargirl picks up a year after stargirl ends and reveals the new life of the beloved character who moved away so suddenly at the end of stargirl. This is a gently mystical, thoughtprovoking, and enchanting rumination on conformity. Stargirl and leos relationship is an important part of the story. Stargirls nonconformist personality leads to confusion and conflict among her teenage peers who prize acceptance. From the day she arrives at quiet mica high, stargirl turns heads with a burst of color and sound. Stargirl is an astonishing book, with funny,outstanding, and marvelous elements that will make the reader laugh or even gasp. Teenager courtney whitmore joins the justice society of. He already gives some unique characteristics, including his love for porcupine neckties.
A boy becomes intrigued by a mysterious and quirky student named stargirl and spends his time trying to know more about her. The book ends with stargirl and leo living happily ever after. The book is narrated in the first person from the protagonists perspective and takes the form of many letters. Teenager courtney whitmore joins the justice society of america. It is, in some ways, a ya version of the little prince, or a female version of spinellis own awardwinning maniac magee.
Fifteenyearold susan stargirl caraway longs for her boyfriend, leo borlock. I could feel my heart practically breaking inside me as i was reading this book. The plot of the book begins when the character of stargirl is introduced to mica high. The entire schools not sure what to think of her and the kind things she does. Stargirls eccentricity was a treat to read about again. What genre is the book stargirl by jerry spinelli answers. With grace vanderwaal, graham verchere, giancarlo esposito, maximiliano hernandez. She captures leo borlock s heart with just one smile.
A bittersweet paean to eccentricity and nonconformity, it is also a scathing commentary on teenagers, which makes its popularity with them all the more interesting. My friend told me after i read it you only have one chance to be the real you, yes its scary and tough and not everyone will accept you but you must be able to live your life freely and happily stargirl does just that. A boy becomes intrigued by a mysterious and quirky student named stargirl and. Jerry spinelli is the author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including maniac magee, winner of the newbery medal, and stargirl, a new york times bestseller and an ala top ten best book for young adults. From the day she arrives at quiet mica high in a burst of color. She did carry a large canvas bag with a lifesize sunflower painted on it. Somewhere in the midst of stargirl s arrival and rise and fall, normal leo borlock has tumbled into love with her. Stargirl project characterization reader log we predicted more when stargirl was being crazy. But some of the actions stargirl and leo did i disapprove of. Stargirl by jerry spinelli paperback book the parent store. He received a porcupine necktie for his fourteenth birthday and doesnt know who sent it. Jerry spinellis stargirl, published in 2000, is a young adult novel dealing with the. Stargirl is a the type of book that is ripe for multilevel discussion. In a celebration of nonconformity, jerry spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the fleeting, cruel nature of popularityand the thrill and inspiration of first love.
The themes of love, stargirl include resilience, dealing with the fall out of a relationship, and learning to love ones new situation. She captures leo borlocks heart with just one smile and sparks a schoolspirit revolution with just one cheer. It picks up where the previous novel left off after stargirl left mica high and describes her bittersweet memories in the town of mica, arizona along with the involvements of new people in her life, in phoenixville. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli and first published in. This prezi is about the book stargirl, this book is by. Stargirl is a young adult novel by the writer jerry spinelli that was published in the year 2000. Few parents will have objections to the content, but there is one scene in particular where stargirl s peers verbally attack her on a television show. Main character stargirl moved to mica and is new student who. Eleventhgrader leo borlock cannot quite believe the new student who calls herself stargirl. Suddenly, stargirl is shunned for everything that makes her different, and leo, panicked, urges her to do the. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli and first published in 2000 stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirl s character and the novels overall message of nonconformity. Stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirls. Spinelli was already a celebrated childrens author by the time the book was written and it met with critical success, being lauded for its message of nonconformity. From the day she arrives at quiet mica high in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the.
The main conflict in the novel stargirl is between the female lead, susan stargirl caraway, and her classmates at mica area high school. Stargirl by jerry spinelli free download epub ebook site. When i heard about stargirl, i thought it would be the perfect book for her to read. Knowing the genre of a book can help you decide if you want to read it or not. Leo realizes that hes in love with her, but has a difficult.
Also, so when she sees a stargirl, hopefully she will be more likely to befriend her rather than join the crowd in. Formerly homeschooled, stargirl comes to their arizona high school with a pet rat and a ukulele, wild clothes and amazing habits. Stargirl is a book that gives advice on how to have a successful romantic relationship. Leo borlock follows the unspoken rule at mica area high school. She sings happy birthday to classmates in the lunchroom, props a small. May 18, 2020 a new generation of champions emerge in stargirl, the cws latest entry into the superhero genre. Stargirl movie tiein edition by jerry spinelli, paperback. It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner, an ala top ten best books for young adults award winner, 1 and a publishers weekly best book of the year. Book summary stargirl, as narrated by leo borlock, follows a unique high school student through the highs and lows of nonconformity. The book stargirl by jerry spinelli falls under the genre of young adult fiction. After 15 years of home schooling, stargirl bursts into tenth grade in an explosion of color and a clatter of ukulele music, enchanting the mica student body. Stargirl is one for the ages this book has changed me, i aspire to be like stargirl she is unique and amazing in her own way. In this celebration of nonconformity, newbery medalist jerry spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and.