From the inside Stargirl is a lot less confident than she seemed in the first book. She spends a good portion of the book pining for Leo, and feeling generally depressed and sad. Gone, for the most part, is that magically effervescent spirit that made her such an intriguing mystery. In its place is a more realistic girl with whom the reader can identify.

It's unusual for a sequel to be so unlike its predecessor -- the characters (except for Stargirl herself), mood, tone, setting, point of view, and writing style are all different. But Spinelli has never been one to follow the beaten path. Readers who were hoping for something similar in tone and feeling to the first book may be disappointed, but those who wanted to bring Stargirl down to Earth and get to know her a bit will be thrilled.