Theme of the stargirl book

We can tell that throughout the book, the one character that stays consistent in stargirls life is this rat. The book begins with the introduction of the character leo borlock. 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. She sings happy birthday to classmates in the lunchroom, props a small. The book is narrated in the first person from the protagonists perspective and takes the form of many letters. 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. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in stargirl, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. In jerry spinellis stargirl, conformity is a central theme. Stargirl study guide from litcharts the creators of. The girl and the dreamcatcher written in the stars duration.

Evidence and inference topic 1 the students at mica high school have never known anyone like stargirl. But by the end of the book, shes totally cool with who she is. It is, in some ways, a ya version of the little prince, or a female version of spinellis own awardwinning maniac magee. I could feel my heart practically breaking inside me as i was reading this book. She is a new student at the mika high school and she is known as a strange girl because she always wears weird outfits and she does not behave as other students. The stargirl community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you.

Stargirl, for example, has just moved to a new town. This is the main theme in jerry spinellis latest offering, stargirl. Stargirl knows that true love is all about acceptance. The detroit news and free press stargirl tells us the captivating story of a magical, mysterious girl. This study guide consists of approximately 31 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of love, stargirl.

If everyone else waited like leo they would have seen the real stargirl. Include exact words from the book to support your answers along with the page number where the text can be found. Jerry spinellis novel stargirl, set in arizona, is told from the point of view of the narrator, leo, who is stargirl s boyfriend. Stargirl is a ukulelestrumming, plainfaced, costumedonning character that enters a cookiecutter student body at an arizona high school. He added interesting characters, such as, leo the quiet and shy one, stargirl unique and fun one, dori dilson stargirl only friend, archie the wise and elderly one, kevin leos friend that likes the stoplight, and hillari kimble the popular bratty one. When stargirl caraway enters leo borlocks life, her impact is both disturbing and permanent. In her relationship with leo, she couldnt really accept herself, because leo couldnt accept her. Somewhere in the midst of stargirls arrival and rise and fall, normal leo borlock has tumbled into love with her. Stargirl and leo play what seems to be a simple game at the mall.

What kind of theme do you think fits with the book stargirl by jerry spinelli. Individuality and conformity jerry spinellis young adult novel stargirl highlights the kindhearted quirkiness of a high school girl who calls herself stargirl. A boy becomes intrigued by a mysterious and quirky student named stargirl and spends his time trying to know more about her. I loved the concept and jerry spinellis cast of characters leap right off the page at you.

Were all still teenagers deep down, stargirl producer and writer kristin hahn. The themes of love, stargirl include resilience, dealing with the fall out of a relationship, and learning to love ones new situation. She tries new things, she learns new things, and she is full of zest. 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. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli and first published in 2000. The stargirl community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography. Jerry spinellis stargirl, published in 2000, is a young adult novel dealing with the. She looks for the hidden important information in the boondocks. How stargirl disney movie is different from the book.

A modernday classic and new york times bestseller from newbery medalist jerry spinelli. In another sense, she embodies the theme of insider vs. Stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirls character and the novels overall message of nonconformity. In fact, one might even suggest that stargirl tips the scales from being merely. Then, on page 87, leo describes the saguaro cacti, a recurring theme in the book. An important element of any book is the theme or message the author includes. When stargirl, an unusual free spirit, is the new girl at an arizona high school, the gossip begins immediately. Moritani is a high school girl who can stop time for three. Stargirl was another fantastic book jerry spinelli.

This is a gently mystical, thoughtprovoking, and enchanting rumination on conformity. Stargirl is even an explorer in the way she reads the newspaper. The complete study guide contains summaries and notes for all of the chapters. The theme of a novel is a message about life that is present in the story. Spinelli made his picture book debut with my daddy and me, a loving tribute to fathers and sons.

The most obvious theme is the careful look at conformity and how it limits us, making us latch onto false values and. Stargirl written by jerry spinelli is the book that is about an individual girl and other conforming students. 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. Stargirl is a touching and thoughtful book, a celebration of individualism and a condemnation of the kind of society that would stifle it. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this stargirl study guide and get instant access to the following. The plot of the book begins when the character of stargirl is introduced to mica high. Stargirl study guide from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. Study guide book summary book notes plot synopsis chapter summary download notes. Stargirl s entrance to school is a big deal for all the students in this small arizona town. 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.

This prezi is about the book stargirl, this book is by. He already gives some unique characteristics, including his love for porcupine neckties. It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner. Fifteenyearold susan stargirl caraway longs for her boyfriend, leo borlock. Jerry spinellis stargirl contains themes of individuality. The book is the sequel to the new york times bestselling book, stargirl, and centers on the worlds longest letter in diary form. Stargirl tries her hardest to remain true to herself, but with leos influence and harsh judgment she changes herself for a brief period of time. They pay attention to someone for fifteen minutes and then they determine what kind of greeting card that person would most need to receive. Many of the characters in love, stargirl are isolated. This meaning that no one should have judged star girl by the way she appeared or by the way of her being different. A discussion of important themes running throughout stargirl. What kind of theme do you think fits with the book stargirl. It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner, an ala top ten best books for young adults award winner, and a publishers weekly best book of the year. Even thought some people do like star girl s new look and personality, she is not being herself and some people do not like this.

Stargirl 2002 read online free book by jerry spinelli in. Jerry spinellis novel stargirl, set in arizona, is told from the point of view of the narrator, leo, who is stargirls boyfriend. The most obvious theme is the careful look at conformity and how it limits us, making us latch onto false values and means of evaluating others. Unlike leo he waited and he was able to the real stargirl and he feel in love. Oh never mind its just me grace vanderwaal 251,109 views 4. The novel takes the form of the worlds longest letter, in diary form, going from date to date through. If you are looking for a novel about issues relevant to high schoolers, try reading jerry spinellis stargirl. 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. Stargirl is unapologetically comfortable in rejecting all attempts to impose conformity upon her. Print copies of the stargirl literature circle questions printable for students. Anyway, like the questions asks, what do you think would be a good theme to describe this book.

Stargirl, was the new york times bestseller and an ala top ten best book for young adults. She did carry a large canvas bag with a lifesize sunflower painted on it. Stargirl, who chooses that name rather than be known by her given name susan julia caraway decides not to fit in with the crowd at her new high school and elects to follow her own path instead. Mar 04, 2019 grace vanderwaal today and tomorrow from disneys stargirl official audio duration. 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. Archie is a mentor and friend to leo and other kids in the neighborhoods. In the end, stargirl is grue to herself challenging status quo, proving the importance of being yourself, and showing leo what should form your identity you. Stargirl was published a couple of years after the april 1999, columbine high school shootings in colorado, in which 15 people were killed, most of them students. 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. Discussion of themes and motifs in jerry spinellis stargirl. Formerly homeschooled, stargirl comes to their arizona high school with a pet rat and a ukulele, wild clothes and amazing habits. Although spinellis most direct inspiration for the character of stargirl was his wife, eileen, the novels emphasis on kindness and acceptance also brings to mind the sense of fear evoked by the columbine massacre and similar. She stopped at an empty table, laid down her bag, slung the. She immediately starts a stir with her wacky outfits and even more wacky behavior.

Stargirl movie tiein edition by jerry spinelli, paperback. If everyone had taken the time to fully understand her, like leo did, everyone would have realized the amazing person inside of her. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of stargirl by jerry spinelli. Stargirl was not comfortable changing to being more like everyone else. Another theme for this novel could be always be yourself no matter what. When stargirl arrives at mica high school, people notice her. Newberywinning spinelli spins a magical and heartbreaking tale from the stuff of high school.

Themes theme analysis the importance of being ones self. Grace vanderwaal today and tomorrow from disneys stargirl official audio duration. The character in jerry spinellis novel stargirl who calls herself by that name. Throughout the book, stargirl joins a cheerleading team, meets leo, and heightens her popularity status at school.

This book resonates long after the cover is closed. What kind of theme do you think fits with the book. 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. This little game is not just a fun way to spend a couple hours.

But the novels action centers more around the reactions. It takes courage too love someone as much as leo and susan did. From the day she arrives at quiet mica high in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of stargirl, stargirl. Love, stargirl is a 2007 young adult novel by jerry spinelli. Stargirl themes from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. This study guide consists of approximately 40 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of stargirl. In this lesson, you will learn about some of the themes. Stargirl, who up till now has been homeschooled, starts school at mica high as a tenth grader, where leo is starting his eleventh grade year.

Stargirl, who chooses that name rather than be known by her given name susan julia caraway decides not to fit in with the crowd at her. Love, stargirl is a 2007 young adult novel by jerry spinelli the book is the sequel to the new york times bestselling book, stargirl, and centers on the worlds longest letter in diary form. Stargirl is a ukulelestrumming, plainfaced, costumedonning character that enters a cookiecutter student body. 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. This is one of the temes because on the first day stargirl was there everyone judged her said she was weird and held a grudge. The creators of sparknotes stargirl themes from litcharts. Its like a diary, but as stargirl often talks to leo personally, its more of a letter.

A celebration of nonconformity above all else, stargirl is an absolute celebration of the joy and even the necessity of nonconformity. A discussion of important themes running throughout love, stargirl. There is the romantic love developing between leo and stargirl, sure. This would be a theme for this book because after a long time of being a student of mica high, star girl decided to become someone she is not. In this lesson, you will look at quotes from the book. One of the themes, or morals of this story is never judge a book by its cover. Love, stargirl is a book told from stargirls point of view. 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. Throughout the book, leo notices the fluctuations of the pebble wagon which is how the reader knows stargirls mood, otherwise stargirl would be portrayed as a happy character throughout the whole book. Read free book excerpt from stargirl by jerry spinelli, page 2 of 2.