Stargirl

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Publisher: Dell Laurel-Leaf
Copyright: 2000
Number of Pages: 183
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Problem

Summary:
Stargirl is a sophomore in Mica High School. She is an extraordinary girl that when darts are thrown at her she doesn't let them stick. She was new to Mica High and in that school tere were labels on everyone and that was the way the students liked it. A young man named Leo was curious about Stargirl but always kept his distance. Even though Mica High liked their set ways, Stargirl chanced all of that. She came along and no could pin what kind of person she was; jock, geek, nerd, prep, etc. Eventually through time the school started to accept her and even wanted to be like her in her odd ways. Everything seemed to be fine and dandy until the boy's basketball team lost at nationals. THe school then blamed Stargirl for the loss, due to her cheering for the other team as well as her own. Leo, however, still remained interested in Stargirl. Despite the school and their ignorance Stargirl remained happy and did good service continually for others. Leo because more and more upset and thus left Stargirl, leaving her with one other friend. Towards the end of the book at the prom dance everyone all the sudden came around and started to dance with Stargirl and everything was great. The few persons who didn't participate were Leo, Hillari, and her date. As soon as the dancing came winding down Stargirl was slapped on the face by Hillari because Stargirl had changed Mica High's traditional ways. After she was slapped, Stargirl kissed Hillari on the cheek and vanished. No one had seen nor heard from her again. A valuable lesson was learned by all the characters to not care what others think and no one should give someone else the power to make them happy or not. Leo was sorry he didn't come and around sooner before she left but eventually received a package from Stargirl, this continuing their friendship.
Who would benefit from the book?
I think that kids who are about to go into high school would greatly appreciate this book. It teaches them to not care what others think. That only you have power over yourself and your happiness.
What problems would this book potenially cause?
The problems it could potentially cause would be that some kids would then think it was ok to do anything that they wanted. It should be understood that there are some boundaries but some could take it that they could do whatever they wanted despite others feelings.
My reaction:
I loved this book. It made me want to be more like Stargirl. I loved the end when she was slapped and she kissed the girl on the cheek. That would never normally happen and to me it showed such Christ-like characteristc to not fight back and to just love the person despite what they do.