I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Series: Stargirl #1
Published by Scholastic on September 8, 2002
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 186
Format: E-Arc
Source: Netgalley
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A celebration of nonconformity; a tense, emotional tale about the fleeting, cruel nature of popularity--and the thrill and inspiration of first love. Ages 12+
Leo Borlock follows the unspoken rule at Mica Area High School: don't stand out--under any circumstances! Then Stargirl arrives at Mica High and everything changes--for Leo and for the entire school. 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.
But the delicate scales of popularity suddenly shift, and Stargirl is shunned for everything that makes her different. Somewhere in the midst of Stargirl's arrival and rise and fall, normal Leo Borlock has tumbled into love with her.
In a celebration of nonconformity, Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the fleeting, cruel nature of popularity--and the thrill and inspiration of first love.
I have to admit, I loved and hated Stargirl in equal measures. Some of the things that she did was borderline creepy. Other things I could see as thoughtful and kind gestures. But I could completely understand why the students found her a strange one.
Despite some of my grumbles with this story it is one that I enjoyed. I found it cute and liked Stargirl as an eccentric character who refuses to conform to normality just to fit in. She is herself at all times.
I enjoyed the simplicity of the narration with an adult Leo looking back on the one girl who changed his life and how the story blends his happiness at having met her and his sadness of not being able to be honest about his feelings because he was afraid of what others might think.
This is a book about social conventions. About who we actually are and who we pretend to be to fit in. It is about acceptance.
This is a story about how one person can change our lives and how everyone out there has someone who has left a permanent mark on our lives. This is one book everyone should read.
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