 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Stargirl
- By Jerry Spinelli
- Genre: School
Common Sense Media says
A must-read for middle-schoolers to discuss.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Stargirl is a sort of supernatural character who is difficult to encapsulate, despite her classmates' repeated attempts to pigeonhole her. Few parents will have objections to the content, but there is one scene in particular where Stargirl's peers verbally attack her on a television show. A romantic relationship also develops between the two main characters, but it's completely innocent. Every middle schooler should read and discuss this -- and, fortunately, many of them do.
What's the story?
11th-grader Leo has never met anyone like Stargirl, and neither has anyone else at Mica High. She dances around the cafeteria playing a ukulele, and never misses a chance to sing "Happy Birthday." She doesn't act right, she dresses weird, and she is always blazingly herself. At first the students are puzzled, then entranced, and Stargirl becomes the most popular girl at school. And Leo is in love.
But just as quickly Stargirl becomes the most despised student, shunned by the others, and Leo, now her boyfriend, is shunned with her. Though she has opened him up to new ways of experiencing life, when forced to choose between Stargirl and everyone else, Leo does what any teenager would do, and that choice reverberates down the rest of the years of his life.
Is it any good?
This gently mystical, thought-provoking, and enchanting rumination on conformity is, in some ways, a YA version of The Little Prince, or a female version of Spinelli's own award-winning Maniac Magee. A bittersweet paean to eccentricity and nonconformity, it is also a scathing commentary on teenagers, which makes its popularity with them all the more interesting.
Like much of Spinelli's best work, it straddles the line between reality and fantasy, dwelling in the land of legend and allegory. Spinelli himself says, in an interview printed in the back of the book, "the character [is] intended to raise dust in the corners of credibility, to challenge our routine ways of seeing ourselves." It does that -- it's hard to imagine young teens reading this and not having to think hard about their friends, actions, and the outcasts in their own world.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Leo is drawn to Stargirl and why he feels he has to choose between her and his friends.
If Stargirl showed up at your school, how do you think you and your
friends would treat her?Do you see Stargirl as a role model? Why? What
about Leo?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
great for all ages
I love the main character. I'll give you a hint.. it's me:/ mahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
Quite Possibly the Best Book I Have Ever Read
This is a REALLY good book. Leo may not be the best role model, but I really think that Stargirl is because she acts like... herself, no matter what other people think of her. There are some mean characters, but Stargirl always does what she thinks is right. There is a kiss, and some hand holding and general displays of affection. Overall, a very good book for mature people to read, but not really little kids.
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AGE
I had some doubts about this book going into it. I mean, I didn't really like the sound of a book called 'Stargirl'. Man, was I wrong. Stargirl can be related to by anyone who has ever felt weird, or like they are being shunned by the entire world. (Oh, just saying, this book is probably appropriate for 9+, but I think you have to be middle-school age and up to really appreciate it.) Stargirl is a wonderful person, and the end made me get teary. Very good book.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 10, 2011
AGE
the perfect book
I just fell in love with this book i had to get the second book, also a great book.
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AGE
Good for ages 12 and up but not any younger they wouldn't understand it as well.
I think it's a good book because it's showing people don't always have to fit in to be popular.. Sometimes you need to just not care or it will ruin your life..
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AGE
I think it was ok but I mean who wears a 1800 dress to school. I think it is a little unrealistic book but enjoyed reading it.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 29, 2011
AGE
i think it was a good book but there is maybe a little kids who r bad role models. but children should be smart enough not t follow after them, but after the good characters of this very intresting book. and i disagree with good for ages 12 and up anyone youger would not underdtand because im eleven and understood it perfectly.
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AGE
I liked it how bout u?
I liked the book.I bet its more for pre teens and teens. If u like bulling books this is the book for u.
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AGE
It is a well-written book, but not very interesting.
I really didn't enjoy this book, it constantly lost my attention. I believe it has a good message, but it is simply one of those books where you keep reading to see if anything interesting happens, but nothing ever does.
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AGE
Im 17 and i loved it but it is ideal for 9+
WOW!!!
a definate must read. It flows easy and once you start you cant put it down. The best !!!
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| Author: | Jerry Spinelli |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | School |
| Publisher: | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Publication date: | September 7, 2003 |
| Number of pages: | 186 |
| Paperback price: | $8.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
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