Maybe this story was supposed to be written in this manner (more metaphorically speaking), but I don't know how anyone could literally believe it.

First of all, when Stargirl does actions like dancing in the rain during school hours (class time), especially when students can see that she's doing it (distracting to classes too), I don't see how school officials or authoritative figures would not take any action. Ditching class is usually grounds for at least a detention.

Also, by a lot of her actions, like going off-topic about totally random things (not the normal type of things to go off-topic in at a class), one would think Stargirl is autistic. No, really. See for yourself. (Or, don't... as this book isn't really worth anyone's time unless a small child needs a lesson about individuality and even then, I would find another story to explain it.) Also, it is quite rude to interrupt a teacher and a class which is in session to say ABSOLUTE NONSENSE. It may be "unique," but it is also undeniably stupid and quite obnoxious. There are much better ways to be unique and show one's individuality without bringing a rat to school, ditching class to dance in the rain, talking nonsense (really, nonsense) during class, and more.

If you want to teach a child about individuality, get him or her into hobbies, read stories to them that will inspire them, show them artwork, but really, please don't show them this book. The character shows the kind of individuality, which is... stupid. Normally I dislike calling books (which I usually consider works of art in themselves) stupid, but this one sadly deserves such a criticism.

There are other parts of the book that also... just don't make any sense. The main character Leo makes it clear at the beginning of the book that he is a Junior in High School, and then he speaks of what his classmates started saying about Stargirl in his (get ready for this) GEOMETRY class. Really? No... really?!?! Geometry is a Freshman class, and sometimes a Sophomore class, but a JUNIOR class? Please.

Also, the book tried to make it known that no one but Stargirl has individualism, but again, please. I attended an 18 person high school graduating class for 2 of my years of high school, and a 2000 person school for the other 2 years. Even the 18 person school had individualism. People had different interests, spoke their minds about issues, had intellectual debates, etc. Our bad, for not leaving a teacher in the dust to dance in the rain or not carrying small rodents in our bags, but I would say we had pretty damned good individualism. Religiously, politically, interest-wise, etc. And the 2000 person school. Hell yes! Of course there were cliques, but even within cliques people had different music tastes, and of course there was even more individualism than that. From people in non-cliques, and more. Basically, I did not buy that this book was trying to tell me that everyone at Mica Area High School was supposed to be not individualistic and pretty much, the same human being until... Stargirl arrived.

Of course there are other unrealistic, silly, and well, lame, parts of the book, but I hope what I have written so far in this review has done the job in convincing you to NOT read this book.

If I saved anyone any time in their life, this review was completely, and utterly worth it.

I would highly recommend the book Stargirl. It is an interesting book that you just want to keep reading. Stargirl is about a high school student. She is very different and is just her self she doesn't worry about what other people think. She is unlike most high school kids who want to fit in. She is liked and also unliked by her high school. People just don't know how to react to her. She is so different and almost unreal. This intriguing book will hold your attention. I never wanted to put this book down. It is a book that many people could relate to about the high school struggle to just be yourself. I would definitely give 5 stars to Stargirl. :)

This book was seriously one of the most terrible books I have ever read. It took me 3 months to get through this obnoxious and annoying story about this weird stalker named Stargirl. This book is very unrealistic, and most of the things in this book were just plain stupid. I cant believe my school made me read this tall tale about a alien girl and her pet rat. To make this book even the slightest bit better, I suggest that Mr. Spinelli should start completely over and write about a whole different subject. Like if she was like a ninja or something, that would be pretty awesome. Any thing other than that is shallow and pedantic. Congratulations "Stargirl" on being the worst book ever written.

When my oldest daughter was in fifth grade, we read Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli in our mother-daughter book club. The girls all liked it, but they couldn't really identify well with the issues brought up in the book: What does it mean to be popular in school, can you find friends who accept you for who you are even when you're different from the mainstream, are you strong enough to go against the popular mindset by befriending someone who is different?

The moms on the other hand, got the issues exactly. We remembered all too well the days of junior high and high school when you're not only trying to determine who you are, but also realizing that who you choose to hang out with is a reflection of that. We thought the book was excellently done, and that we had maybe read it when our girls were too young.

This book is recommended on Amazon for ages 10 - 14, but I'm more inclined to agree with the age recommendation by Publisher's Weekly, which is 12 and up.

Almost every teen knows what it's like to feel like an outcast, and most teens also know what it feels like to feel popular for even a short amount of time. Many have had fights with friends and feel rejected by a person they have a crush on. And almost all adolescents struggle to figure out who they are. In Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli writes a touching story about a girl who goes through all these teen experiences, and overcomes a broken spirit and a broken heart. Though occasionally overly dramatic and sometimes unrealistic, Spinelli weaves a tale so compelling that the reader can almost see him or herself in the book.

A girl who calls herself Stargirl Caraway creates quite a buzz on the first day of school at Mica High School. She instantly sets herself apart from the other students by wearing a kimono, acting uniquely, and carrying around a pet rat in a bag with a sunflower on it. Each day, she plays "Happy Birthday" on her ukulele to a different student, and dances around the lunchroom in excitement. Some students begin to speculate that Stargirl is a plot by the school and administration to get students interested in school and to raise student spirit. Soon, they turn against her for being too different and too energetic. Disappointed on the inside, but not showing it on the outside, Stargirl continues her unique behaviors, and stays positive and energetic on the outside. Stargirl and her classmate Leo, who is also criticized by the rest of the school, develop a fast and deep friendship. They go through some tough times, and get into a heated argument. This argument is the last straw for Stargirl; she feels abandoned by the only person in the school who didn't look down at her. After the argument, Stargirl disappears and is replaced with Susan Caraway. Susan is a regular gum-chewing, jeans wearing high school student, who doesn't seem to care about very much. But Susan realizes that trying to blend in will not gain her the friendships and relationships she desires. The students are no nicer to her than they were before she transformed from Stargirl to Susan, and Leo does not ask her to the end of year dance.

In Susan's place, Stargirl arrives at the ball in a bright yellow gown. She leads the school in a bunny-hop dance. The dance ends in catastrophe, and Stargirl moves away. Still, she left her mark on the school, changing the lives of everyone there. Leo hopes everyday for her to return, but he never sees her again.

Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli, is a wonderful and inspiring story about individuality, perseverance, and friendship. Any reader, from teens to adults can watch, experience, and empathize with Stairgirl's journey through the social scene. Any reader can relate to her feelings about love, friends, popularity, and individualism. And though Stargirl experiences the best and worst that a social scene has to offer, Spinelli doesn't leave the reader disappointed at the end. Stargirl sends Leo a reminder of their friendship, and all is forgiven. It is a must-read for anyone, teen or otherwise, looking for a place to belong or trying to discover him or herself.

Star Girl, by Jerry Spinelli. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2003.
208 pages
Fiction (realistic)
Reading Level: 6

Stargirl, an entertaining book written by Jerry Spinelli and published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, is appropriate for ages eleven and up with a reading level of 6.1. You will soar through the 192 pages of this work of fiction as you read of the trials of being different in a teenage world of conformity.

Stargirl is a previously home-schooled new student at Mica Area High School in Arizona. She comes to school dressed in kimonos and flapper dresses. She brings her pet rat Cinnamon to school in her sunflower painted book bag. She sings "Happy Birthday" to students at lunch as she plays her ukulele. She is different but does not seem to be aware that she is. She captures the interest of all students, especially the narrator, Leo Borlock, who is intrigued by her bold and otherworldly behaviors.

At first, the other students at school are taken aback by Stargirl's strange actions. However, as the story unfolds we find that Stargirl's passion for life and compassion for others begins to rub off on her classmates. She becomes an honorary member of the cheerleading team and a boy comes to school with purple hair. This interest and acceptance can only last so long. When Stargirl decides to start cheering for the opposing team, her classmates shun her. Stargirl, with the help of her friend Leo, must find a way to fit in so that she can survive the cruelty of her peers. Sadly, the other students never truly accept Stargirl or her attempts to fit in. After a shocking exit at the end of year "ball", Stargirl leaves never to return.

Stargirl makes an effort to explore the ideas of being different and accepting others. However, the book lacks a sense of reality that teenagers crave today. It is hard to believe that this girl can just walk into school and be as bold as she is without any serious consequences. The book also lacks in character development. As the reader, you want to know more about what the other characters in the book really think about Stargirl. Even Leo, the narrator, is not truly exposed in his thoughts and feelings.

Despite the shortfalls of the book, Spinelli introduces you to a character that you can fall in love with. Stargirl will make you think and make you laugh aloud. Everything she stands for is what we all need a little more of in our lives. This book opens up a discussion for teenage readers and adults alike on what it means to be different and to truly love and accept others. It is an endearing story that will make you wish you knew a Stargirl or were one yourself. - Angela, first year teacher

The genre, contemporary realistic fiction, is very appropriate for this book. A struggle that most teenagers struggle with during school is how to fit in, and be popular. This book takes you on the journey of Leo and his own struggles and makes it very easy for students to relate to him. The plot of this story was very good, and made you want to keep reading. You felt the way that Leo and Stargirl did throughout the story and you emphasized with them as well. The language used is probably appropriate for High School students, and would be a great choice for a literacy circle discussion. The book that I have, has questions at the back for discussion, and would be a great way to get the students involved. Jerry Spinelli, the author of this book, writes very well and makes it an easy read, as you are pulled into Leo and Stargirl's life in High School. Although many of us do not have a "Stargirl" at our own schools, the problems the students face, are still current in schools, and anyone in High School could relate. It gives students the ability to recognize that being different is not always a bad thing, and you can always learn something from someone else.

This book was not at all what I had expected. I started reading it because I had nothing else to read. However, this is one of the nest book si have ever read. It is one of those rare books that makes you think about society in a new way. Should everyone become like Stargirl? No, but having someone make you think like this definetly changes the way you treat others and see the world around you.

Stargirl is a book with will warm and break your heart. It's a short book about a boy--a community really--that was utterly transformed when they met a truly good person. At first, the depiction of High School and of Stargirl herself seems almost comically exaggerated, but the readers really get a punch in the stomach when they realize how realistic--how REAL--both of these are.

The book, clearly influenced by Romantic Poetry, overflows with insight, posing questions that we all should have been asking all along: Why do we act the way we do? Why do we confine ourselves by society's norms and absurd rules? Why is this character, this ideal person, so hated for her individuality? Shouldn't a society, shouldn't we as individuals, embrace such a person, even strive to be AS individual as they are? Those are just some of the questions you are left with after closing this book.

I'm not doing this novel justice, though. It's more than just insight, as the story it offers is top-notch, all the way from the unconventional story structure to the characterization of the reluctant protagonist Leo (who you will simultaneously hate and also see as yourself towards the end), to the ever-poetic Archie, to the wonderful, indescribable titular character Stargirl.

Never before have I read such a transforming work. This book, this "children's" book, has left me--as I am sure it will leave you--with major questions concerning both my individuality and the way that I fit into society. This book will make you strive to do good.

10/10 Classic.

This is a good book, but definitely Juvenile Fiction. As an adult reading it, I looked at it like a parent -- what was wrong with her parents? Why did they allow that? Why weren't they involved? I think it would be a great book to read with your 'tween daughter. Good discussion of being different, treating people nicely, not making snap judgements. I thought Love, Stargirl was better.

This book broke my heart and healed it at the same time.

On the surface, this is a book about a very unusual teenage girl called Stargirl who has a rat named Cinnamon, a ukelele, a Happy Wheelbarrow, and very big blue eyes that "surround you." She pops into an average Arizona town called Mica and changes them all. The story is told from the perspective of the boy Leo, who collects porcupine neckties and falls in love with her.

At its heart, this book is about humanity, about compassion, about love, about the beauties of the world that most of us see every day and don't really notice. It's about erasing the line between me and you. It's about the forgotten sections of the newspaper, about "a fabulous millipede" of two hundred teenagers doing the bunny hop across a desert, about an old man nodding off at a shopping center bench.

Stargirl is one of the most unforgettable characters I have ever encountered in literature. All I can really say is that I fell in love with her. This is a book that changes you. Once you have "fallen into Stargirl's eyes" you don't come out the same.

Okay, I'm going to say it. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is a young adult classic (maybe even a children's classic but that's really a cataloguing issue that I am ill-equipped to discuss). This designation raises the question: What makes a book (any book) a classic? For me it means a book that is timeless; something you can read years and years after it was written without the book losing its vibrancy. A classic also needs to have memorable writing and characters. It needs to speak to the reader. It needs to be a book that you enjoy more every time you read it or talk about it. Classics are the books you want to immerse yourself in: the books you wish you could live in with the characters that you wish were your friends.

I'll say it again: Stargirl is a classic.

The story starts with Leo Borlock, who moved to Mica, Arizona at the age of twelve. Around the time of his move, Leo decided to start collecting porcupine neckties--no easy task, especially in Mica. For two years, Leo's collection stood at one tie. Until his fourteenth birthday when an unknown someone presented Leo with his second tie, someone who was watching from the sidelines.

Mica's unusual events don't stop there. The story continues when Leo is a junior in high school. On the first day the name on everyone's lips is Stargirl. Formerly home-schooled, Stargirl is a sophomore like no one Leo (or any of the other Mica students) has ever met before:

"She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to corkboard like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew."

After finishing this book and recently reading Love, Stargirl (Spinelli's newly released sequel), I have my own explanation: Stargirl is magical. She represents the kind of magic more people need in their lives: to appreciate the little things, to dare to be different, to be kind to strangers. The kind of magic where you still believe things can be wondrous.

In the story, Leo soon realizes that Stargirl might be someone he could love.

Unfortunately, high school students don't always believe in (or appreciate) magic like Stargirl's. As the school moves from fascination to adoration and, finally, to disdain Leo finds himself in an impossible position: forced to choose between the girl he loves and his entire lifestyle.

Technically speaking I love everything about this book: the characters, the story, the cover art. This one has the full package. Spinelli's writing throughout the story is perfect. He captures Leo's fascination with Stargirl as well as his equivocation as he is forced to choose between Stargirl and "the crowd."

Stargirl is not a long book. The writing is cogent, sentences brief. Nonetheless, the text is rich. This book never gets old or boring. Spinelli creates a compelling, utterly new narrative here (with a charmingly memorable heroine).

High school is a very trying time in any young adult's life, and if you happen to be a nonconformist, the going is twice as difficult. If you remember your teens without regret, your are part of the few who do.

Jerry Spinelli shows us a world that more than vividly captures the affections of a boy named Leo for the unusual Stargirl who's social status changes almost as often as her names. Now, I'll admit like some of the reviewers here that she was a bit over the top in her behavior, but it seems that Spinelli exaggerated her to make his point about how cruel kids can be to others who don't act as impulsively on their whims as our heroine.

I learned in my own high school years that it's okay if others don't like you for being yourself, but when someone like Leo is very close to you and expects you to change, it's a different matter entirely. If you were teased in school for associating with a "stargirl" or a "starboy," you usually gave them a nasty and unceremonious dumping. Leo held on instead, cringing all the while as he kept on crushing Stargirl's spirit by asking her to give up pieces of what attracted him to her in the first place. A rather truthful and sad social commentary about people at any stage of life.

A wonderful glimpse into Leo's psyche as his tale of first love makes him grow up and regret his poor choices with a truly unique and wonderful individual. With beautifully simple details that even the youngest reader can grasp, quirky humor, and heart-tuggingly painful moments that deal in heartbreak and peer pressure--plus a touch of mystery--I would recommend Stargirl to anyone who is grasping with this issue. The book also has a surprising and bittersweet ending that will bring a smile to your face. Age recommendation: 9 to 90!

The years in high school are really the years in which you discover what kind of person you really want to be. It is where you are allowed to make your first big mistakes in life, in love, and hopefully learn from them. Leo, the narrator of Stargirl, meets the nonconformist Stargirl Caraway and the two, through the actions, decisions and consequences that follow, propel each other into a more adult understanding of love, community, mob mentality, acceptance, courage and sadly, the events that follow when all of those things fail. It is a touching story about how the people you meet at this time in your life and how you react to them can really shape who and what you become.

Sarah Phelan, author of Stay At Home Stay At Home

As a Christian, when I read Stargirl at the age of 16(back in 2001) I thought it was the most awesome nook ever - period. Stargirl represented everything I wanted to be; carefree, beautiful, bold, and honest. I was a shy girl who acted tough and confident, but I wanted to be able to be like Stargirl prancing around the school singing happy birthday to people I didn't know, and putting daisies on my desk. To me Stargirl represented a fearless woman who could do what she wanted without fear of judgement. Now, as I am older I still want that, but I feel differently about how Stargirl acts.

The character of Stargirl is used to contrast against the other students of Mice High who are afraid to be themselves, but go with the flow, and critize anyone who goes against. Stargirl is the catalyst who gets people like Leo to think that maybe he should stop caring about what people think. I do agree that people need to care about what other people think so much when it causes them to judge themselves, and conform to what they percieve as "normal". The character Stargirl is used here to tell children and teenagers that true freedom is found in being who you were created to be, and not who you think you should be, or others think you should be.

As the story progresses we see that Leo is less keen on complying with Stargirl's antics when it conflicts with hsi reputation; such as her knack for cheering for the other team at basketball games. Later Leo looks back on things and see how he tried to make Stargirl change, and it ended up making her miserable, and realizes he lost his first love because he kept trying to change her.

There are two things I want to not about "Stargirl". One, although Leo was wrong to try to change Stargirl, but it wasn't a bad thing for her to change necassarily because her passions were unbridled, she didn't understand restraint, and yes while she did good to break Mica High out of their shells, she also needed to come to a balance where she herself learned that all conformity is not bad.

Two, I initially loved the idea of Stargirl erasing herself, because I use Christian meditation (focusing on Jesus) as a way to get away from the world. The book gave an impression that she was a Christian, but when I started readin "Love, Stargirl" I realized Spinelli was not in the least talking about a Christian form of meditation, but rather an Eastern form of meditation. I know this in the second book, but it is important to note that Stargirl calls her practice of erasing herself "Mind Washing", which made me think a lot of Eastern meditation and New-Age practices that tell us to empty our minds. Emptying our minds is very dangerous indeed, and makes us vulnerable to all types of attacks on our mind that we may not even realize at the time.

So, I am leary of any book that may tell our children that emptying our minds is a good thing and that living without any real restraint is good.

I am not saying that Stargirl is a bad book, in fact it is an amazing book. It is still one of my favorites because it does illistrate how we are often expected to fit a certain mold when every person is different and has their own personality. I am just not excited about books that tell our children that non-comformity is good either, but we all have to conform on some level. I am not saying that Spinelli was telling us to live without restraint, but rather that we should enjoy life more. I agree with that, but the message gets mixed up in all the fluff and can be easily misconstrued.

*ENJOY ~Amy

This was a good book, but it wasn't quite what I expected. I think the biggest problem came for me in the narration; the story is narrated by one of Stargirl's fellow students who is too fearful to step out and be different like Stargirl. I don't know, I just felt that his narration took away some of the emotional impact of the story. I also felt that the ending was lacking; we never got to truly dig into Stargirl's mind. It's still a book worth reading though!

My students loved this book! The fact that it was narrarated by John Ritter brought a tear to my eye but we all loved following along with the book! Spinelli has written another masterpiece!

Here it is! The 5-star book that I've been looking for!! No dragons, no witches, no fairies, no elves! Just a book about people - one girl and one boy, in particular.

Susan Caraway is Stargirl. She is new at Mica Area High School and everyone talks about her. To say she is unique is an understatement. She dresses differently, she has a ukelele strapped to her back and she brings her pet rat Cinnamon with her everywhere (although, this wouldn't be allowed in a real school.)

Leo Borlock is instantly taken with Stargirl. He even follows her home after school one day. But Stargirl knows he's there and takes him on a long and winding adventure through the town that is until she goes out into the desert, that's when Leo turns around. This event quite possibly sums up their relationship. Stargirl takes things farther than Leo's comfort level until he turns around to safety.

Jerry Spinelli created the most singular, selfless and interesting character I've read about in a long time. Perhaps Stargirl is a bit too giving but if everyone who read about her took a piece of that kindness away with them, the world might be a better place.

I liked the description of the budding romance between Stargirl and Leo. I liked how Spinellis showed that a relationship can be steered by the people in it or the people outside of it.

I won't tell the ending but I will tell you that I cried at the end. I cried for Stargirl, I cried for Leo, I even cried for their old teacher Archie. The tears, I realized, were my sorrow at the realization that this is the way of the world. People breathe, they love, they get hurt, they die and time keeps marching on.

I am looking forward to Love, Stargirl. I've heard Leo's point of view, now I'd like to read Susan's.

I recommend this book to everyone. But to be specific, this book would probably best be enjoyed by the reader who likes in-school stories about people and relationships. Although the title seems a bit mystical, there is no fantasy or other-worldly element to this book. Those looking for wizardry or magic should look elsewhere (although I remain firm in my belief that everyone should read this book.) I loved it!

Stargirl arrives at Mica High School in Arizona and breaks all of the social rules. She plays her ukulele at lunch, climbs on the goalposts during football games, and leaves anonymous birthday gifts for people all over town. Leo, the narrator and Stargirl's sometimes friend, tells the story of her dramatic rise in popularity and shows just how fickle that popularity can be.

The story is completely captivating. Stargirl is a wonderful character: it is true that her naiveté about social norms "raise[s] dust in the corners of credibility" [1], but even as we wonder whether anyone could be quite that naïve and that good, we long for it. Spinelli (the author) calls her "as real as hope, as real as possibility, as real as the best in human nature" [1]. She is marvelous. In contrast, Leo is frustratingly expert on the "importance" of fitting in; my exasperation at his actions is mitigated only by some evidence of him in myself.

I agree with the professional reviewers that Spinelli "has produced a poetic allegorical tale" [2] (and as such, Stargirl's "realism" isn't the fundamental issue), that the book is "poignant yet uplifting, both a celebration and a cautionary tale" [3]. And I confess to willingly falling prey to what Karen Carden of the Christian Science Monitor predicted: "It just may prompt some readers to make quiet vows about being kinder and more compassionate - more like Stargirl herself" [3].

The late John Ritter (of Three's Company and much more) narrates the unabridged audiobook, and he does a wonderful job. His performance doesn't call attention to itself, but he provides just the right energy and nuance.

Young Adult fiction isn't normally my genre of choice, but I read this for a book club and am very glad. And if you enjoyed Stargirl (as I did), you haven't long to wait to find what happens next: Spinelli releases a sequel (Love, Stargirl) in August of 2007.

[1] Jerry Spinelli, in an interview published at the back of the 2000 Knopf paperback edition.
[2] Betsy Groban, "Stargirl," New York Times, 17 September 2000.
[3] Karen Carden, "A bright light in the galaxy of young adult fiction," Christian Science Monitor, 7 December 2000.

i read this book in the 7th or 8th grade, & i enjoyed it at the time. i thought it was a little cheesy, but hey, what can you expect when the book is entitled Stargirl, right? i think this book is best for kids around 9-12 - it puts individuality in a brighter light, it can be inspiring. it's cute, refreshing, & worth your money.

Stargirl is an enjoyable story about truly appreciating differences and caring for all mankind. Stargirl dresses differently and takes time out of her day to do nice things for other students, even students she does not know. Her classmates only partially include her until she does something out of the norm. Conformity though does not always make a difference, as Stargirl discovers as she attempts to blend in. The spirit of nonconformity is seen towards the end of the book and the lasting impression Stargirl can have on the student population.
This book is written in a manner that students could relate to; no matter what school they are currently in. Conformity is something every student must face, and being strong enough to make own decisions is a daily occurrence. This book does deal with problems facing today's youth, is universal, and the inner character is credible. All students have experience and witness the affects of not doing or looking like everyone else. Perhaps her character was a little too bizarre with being allowed to sing in the lunchroom and carry a rat pet, but the descriptors of these differences were believable and would relate to today's students. The impact Stargirl has on Leo and the student body leaves the reader with the importance of appreciating and respecting those who are not like us in our ever-changing pluralistic society. The idea of loving mankind and everything around us can change us forever, even with all of its cost factors.

I read Stargirl in my Children's Literature class in college, and I loved it. To this day, it's still one of my favorites. Despite the fact that Spinelli is a children's book author, he's created a character in Stargirl that anyone at any age can learn a thing or two from. With a hint of fairytale whimsy and more than a few dashes of wisdom, Stargirl, the book, will leave you entertained and inspired. I've read it 3 times and I'm 22 years old...so if you're an adult who is tired of the monotonous and melodramatic fiction novels, don't let the fact that Stargirl is a children's book deter you from reading it! Even as a future elementary school teacher, I recommend this book to anyone and everyone! :)

Spinelli, J. (2000). Stargirl. New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf

Synopsis: At Mica High School everyone eats the same, dresses the same, talks the same, acts the same and no one is different. That is until the day that Stargirl shows up. Stargirl is an eccentric, kind home schooled student who does not conform to the same set of values or ideals as the typical students at Mica High School. She has no understanding of what is popular, nor does she realize the invisible social and cultural boundaries that are present around her. Stargirl plays birthday songs for her new classmates, leaves surprises for unsuspecting peers, and even displays random acts of kindness that go unknown. For some time the students are fearful and embarrassed of this stranger. However soon, the individuality of Stargirl spreads to other students. Leo falls head over heels in love with this flower in the desert. He loves everything about especially her individualism. After a fretful incident at basketball game, Stargirl's popularity begins to plummet. She is outcast and shunned by her classmates. In a desperate attempt to save his face and Stargirl's reputation, Leo asks Stargirl to do the unthinkable, to become normal. After a period of normalcy, Stargirl realizes the sacrifice she is making. Leo and his classmates are shocked how Stargirl's presence has changed their lives.

Evaluation: Spinelli's expertly written book brings light to the sensitive issues of nonconformity and popularity within the young adult setting of high school. His text encourages readers to honor differences and individualism. It is an excellent read aloud at the late elementary and middle grades. In addition, Stargirl is a must read for highschool students. One of the golden rules is to love thy neighbor. In Spinelli's book, the invisible social and cultural boundaries become apparent to readers. Displaying unacknowledged random acts of kindness are clearly an unwritten undertone of this book. Readers will likely have a desire to try something extraordinary to see how if affects the lives of those around them. Educators will likely use this text with middle and high school level readers to discuss the meaning of "normal" and popularity within school settings and how the social and cultural boundaries affect the social/emotional well-being of their peers. The author's language is light and airy while bringing such heart-felt topics to the surface in a sensitive manner. Middle and high school level readers are likely to find strong connections from their own lives to this book.