Stargirl (novel)

Stargirl
Second edition cover
Author Jerry Spinelli
Translator none
Cover artist Jerry Spinelli
Country United States
Language English
Series Stargirl
Genre Young Adult Fiction
Publisher Scholastic Inc.
Publication date
 August 8, 2000
Media type Book
Pages 186 pp
ISBN 0-679-88637-0
OCLC 43207653
LC Class PZ7.S75663 St 2000
Followed by Love, Stargirl

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 novel's overall message of nonconformity. It was a New York Times Bestseller, a Parents Choice Gold Award Winner, an ALA Top Ten Best Books Award winner, and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year.[1][2][3] A sequel Love, Stargirl [4] was released on August 14, 2007.

Plot

The book begins with a brief introduction to Leo at the age of twelve, and chronicles his move from his home state of Pennsylvania to Arizona. Before the move, his Uncle Pete gives Leo a porcupine necktie as a farewell present, inspiring him to collect more like it. After his collection is mentioned in a local newspaper, Leo receives a second porcupine necktie for his birthday, left anonymously by Stargirl.

The story picks up four years later with the arrival of Stargirl Caraway. Leo learns that up until this point, she has been homeschooled, but even that doesn't seem to excuse her strange behavior; for example, she comes to school in strange outfits—kimonos, buckskin, 1920s flapper clothes, and pioneer clothes. She is so different that at first the student body does not know what to make of her. Hillari Kimble, the most popular girl at Leo's school, declares that Stargirl is a fake, and speculation and rumors abound.

One of Stargirl's quirks is singing happy birthday to students when it is their birthday, bringing her ukulele to school to do so. When Hillari orders Stargirl not to sing to her on her birthday, Stargirl sings Hillari’s name but directs the song to Leo and mentions in front of everyone that she thinks he is cute. Though at first rejected by most of the students, Stargirl gains a measure of popularity by joining the cheerleading squad. Students mimic her behavior, and at lunch she no longer sits alone. Her antics on the squad spark a boom in audience attendance at sporting events.

Stargirl’s popularity is short-lived, however. Thanks in part to her efforts, the cheer season is the best in the school’s history, and school spirit flourishes. Students begin to resent Stargirl’s habit of cheering for both teams, which before made her very popular. Their anger comes to a head during a filming of the student-run television show, Hot Seat, which is run by Leo and his best friend Kevin. During the show a "jury" of students is invited to ask questions of the guest star. This show’s guest is Stargirl, and the session turns into an embarrassing attack on Stargirl’s personality and actions. An advising teacher cuts the show short, and it is never aired, but the damage is done. Shortly thereafter, Stargirl comforts a hurt player from the opposing team during a playoff basketball game and is blamed for Mica High’s subsequent loss. She is shunned by the entire student body, except for her friend Dori Dilson, Leo, and, to some extent, Kevin.

Leo praises Stargirl for her kindness, bravery, and nonconformity, and the two begin a tentative romance. They spend more and more time together, and Leo experiences her unusual lifestyle and starts helping her with various projects, such as leaving cards for people they don't know and dropping change on the sidewalk for others to find. For a while he is deliriously happy with their relationship, but as reality sets in, he realizes that the entire school is shunning both of them. In response, Leo convinces Stargirl to act more "normal." She starts going by her real name, Susan, wears typical teen clothing, and becomes obsessed with being accepted and popular. These actions fail to produce results.

Stargirl decides that the best way to become popular is to win the state’s public speaking competition, which she does. But when she returns to the school expecting a hero’s welcome, only three people show up. Realizing that she has achieved nothing by trying to fit in and has betrayed her true self, Stargirl reverts to her former personality. Leo cannot cope with the shunning that comes with being Stargirl’s boyfriend and breaks off their relationship.

Despite the breakup, Stargirl attends the school’s dance—the Ocotillo ball—with her friend Dori. Leo watches as Stargirl arrives at the dance on a bike covered in sunflowers. Though initially ignored by the other attendees, something about Stargirl attracts attention and temporary acceptance. She convinces the bandleader to play the "Bunny Hop," and the other students come to join her in the dance until the only people not in line are Hillari Kimble and her boyfriend Wayne Parr. When the dance ends, Hillari confronts Stargirl, tells her that she always ruins everything, and slaps her. Stargirl returns Hillari's attack with a kind kiss on the cheek. No one in the town sees Stargirl again after that night, and Leo learns that she and her family have moved away.

Fifteen years later, Leo notes that his former high school has become permanently changed, and wonders what has happened to Stargirl. At the end, he reveals that he has received a porcupine necktie in the mail one day before his most recent birthday—presumably from Stargirl.

The story continues with the sequel, Love, Stargirl, which is written in Stargirl's perspective about her new life after Mica Area High School.

Adaptations

Stage

In January 2015, Stargirl was staged by First Stage company. The play was adapted and directed by John Maclay, and the cast were mainly teenagers. The play met with positive reviews from critics and audience.[5]

Film

A film adaptation directed by Julia Hart is being produced for Disney's planned streaming service.[6] The film will be written by Kristin Hahn and will star Grace VanderWaal and begin principal production on September 24, 2018, in Albuquerque and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and other locations in Arizona.[7]

Legacy

In 2004 students from Kent, Ohio founded a Stargirl Society, which aimed to promote the nonconformist message of the novel. The society received much attention, and inspired young people all over the world to create their own societies.[8] Spinelli's website contains a list of tips on how to start a Stargirl Society.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Parents' Choice Awards - Stargirl
  2. ↑ Publishers Weekly - Stargirl
  3. ↑ White, Sarah Reaves. "Star Girl review". Readers Read. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  4. ↑ Hot News
  5. ↑ Fischer, Mike (January 17, 2015). "'Stargirl' shines brightly at First Stage". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  6. ↑ Fleming Jr., Mike (February 8, 2018). "Disney Unveils Inaugural Streaming Service Launch Slate To Town; No R-Rated Fare". Deadline. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  7. ↑ https://deadline.com/2018/06/stargirl-grace-vanderwaal-young-americas-got-talent-champion-disney-movie-1202403344/
  8. ↑ Lodge, Sally (11 Oct 2007). "Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl Inspires Societies". Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved 6 Jan 2009.
  9. ↑ http://www.jerryspinelli.com/stargirl.htm
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