Star Girl
Ratings161
Average rating3.6
This is a cute book. My teenage self devoured it, and I find myself devouring it again in my 20s. I remember being a middle-school/high-school girl, always trying to subtly embody Stargirl - being happy, wearing whatever tf I wanted, living every day to the best of my ability. I think this is truly a positive (if not sometimes cheesy) book that every kiddo should read - regardless of gender. It can teach us all a little something about letting go and living life.
I did NOT LIKE THE ENDING. Her moving doesn't really end anything. Its more like running away.
I hadn't read this in so long I didn't remember most of it, and my takeaways are definitely different this go around. What I found most interesting is the tension between the initial allure of a figure like Stargirl and the eventual expectation that she settle down and be normal (see also Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating). Leo is drawn to Stargirl because she stands out, but then he becomes frustrated that she doesn't fit in.
Sometimes we give up who we are to make others comfortable, trying to secure acceptance that we know is conditional and fickle. Spinelli has us ponder whether it's worth it, and what we do to others when we ask that of them.
Spinelli creates a binary wherein Stargirl has to choose between being herself and being accepted by others, with the point being that she shouldn't have to do that, and in fact we should all try to live our lives more like she does. And, sure, but also, there's obviously a difference between cheering for the other team and following or taking pictures of strangers. Everything Stargirl does is lumped together under this umbrella of whimsy, but respecting privacy is different than refuting an us vs. them mentality. I hope so, anyway.
It's not without its flaws, but it was nice to revisit after so long.
This book deeply affected me as a teenager in the aughts. I loved and wanted to befriend Stargirl. The image of Archie burying Barney and a scrap of paper, and Archie saying “a word” when Leo asks what's written on the paper—that has stayed in my memory for at least 17 years. Stargirl is one of those books that takes the reader on a journey and irrevocably changes them.
Cute, if a bit far-fetched and totally outdated. I honestly think kids today wouldn't understand what's so weird about Stargirl, and this makes the book lose a lot of its original punch. The tone was more fitting for middle grade, so I kept having to remind myself the characters were in high school instead of middle school. Stargirl is absolutely the OG manic pixie dream girl, but whether that's a bad thing will be a personal preference.
This book was okay. Nothing spectacular but not horrible either. It was cute for a middle grade book. Probably would have loved it more if I read it when I was younger. Looking forward to watching the movie to see if I like that more than the book.
I liked it. But I hate USonians.
This is a story of a speshul snowflake. Except that she really is special and unique, and a star rather than a snowflake. She isn't perfect, not at all. But she is herself, 100%. Except for the time when she tried to be like everyone else, for the boy she loved. But it turned out he didn't love her.
“Whose affection do you value more, hers or the others?”
I wish I was homeschooled. People are horrible. People are stupid. One and one they are wonderful, but put many together and you end up with a pile of crap. Especially if they are like Hillari Kimble. I don't understand people like her. What's so great in being a sheep? All the same, all doing the same things, all thinking the same, all bleeping the same, all the same color and shape and size? Sheep are good for wool, that's it. Sheep are created to be used. I prefer goats.
I read this book randomly this morning just to try a chapter. But then I couldn't stop and I finished it
I went to school with a girl like Stargirl. She transferred to us in junior high and she was different. Alarmingly different. She held seances. Her hair was this wild brillo pad that stuck straight out in all directions. She tried to levitate herself at recess. She had funny moles. She was a budding artist who drew on any surface that would not be deemed vandalism.
She was completely ostracized. Like the students at Mica, we did not know what to do with her. Unlike the students at Mica, there was no honeymoon period. Just hate. Here we were, little Catholic conformists with our plaid uniforms and this complete oddball had been thrust into our midst. I have never before or since seen children be so mean. To be associated with her was anathema. I haven't thought about her in years, but now I wonder, what were her parents thinking? Why send your child who desperately wants/needs to be different, to be herself- into this hotbed of sameness. She even joined my scout troop. Another uniform to wear. Unlike Stargirl (spoilers I guess) she survived the year. She actually stayed with us until high school. Unlike Leo, I never got the chance to see her jar of stones. I never allowed myself to be friends with her. I don't know how unhappy or happy she was with her lot. She must have the toughest skin or maybe she didn't care. I hope she's doing well, wherever she is today. I know it's a stretch, but I hope high school was better for her.
Reading this book was in a way very cathartic. I have reservations about its plausibility, but that's honestly a good thing. If some junior high student reads this book and decides to be a little left of the center, or better still, if some jerky junior student reads this book and decides to be a little nicer to the kids who take a chance on standing out, it's worth its weight in gold.
I read this book while I was up in the wee hours of the morning after going to bed too early. I really enjoyed it.
By far, one of the most poignant and simply sweet books I have read in a long time. Stargirl is one of those characters you either love, or hate. I loved her and I loved this book!
I cannot say much else, expect that I would highly recommend all children who can appreciate this book read it. If I had read this when I was in middle school, I think I would really have benefited from a story like this.
Now to figure out how to get Love, Stargirl so I can read that too!
