Jerry Spinelli

-          He was trying to send a message to the teenagers. The popular students in school usually think that they’re perfect, they think that they are always in the higher position in school. Jerry is trying to say how harsh they were in school, how harsh they were to the other students. Jerry also wanted to send a message thorough his book to the weird people in school. He thought that not just because you are so weird and so random everybody already hates you. No, it’s not like that. He thought that not all people would hate you there would always be some people who would like you for what you are.

-          He was trying to send a message to the teenagers.that popular students in school usually think that they’re perfect. They think that they are alwaysbetter than everyone else.. Jerry is trying to say how harsh bullies could be.  This book also tells us that there is nothing wrong with being different.  There would be people who would accept you for what you are.

Conclusion

I think that the character, Stargirl in the book will inspire the people who are seen as weird. Stargirl did not mind the people who were saying negative comments towards her, she just let those comment pass. I think Leo did not like Stargirl for who she is. From the book, I’ve learned that you have to like people for who they are inside and not just because of how they look.

Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?

I recommend people with the age of 16 to read this book. Especially, the people who feel that they are different from the majority.

The book will benefit those who are seen as weird. It’s alright to be different and weird as long as it’s not exagerated. It also appeals  to bullies. I think the people who see other people as weird should just keep their comments to their selves.

What is your overall response to the book? Did you find it interesting, moving, dull?

My overall response to the book is that it isinteresting. Like when Stargirl danced under the rain and when she sang happy birthday song to people celebrating their birthday. Although, I found a part of the story that was a little too dramatic. When Stargirl and Leo thought of breaking up just because she would not change herself to fit in with the rest of the students. The author could have just thought of Leo and Stargirl talking about how Stargirl would be able to fit in, in their school.

Is the writing effective?

Most parts of the book, were effective and easy to understand. All the characters dialogues, except Archie’s were understandable. Also, the author’s way of describing the characters were also  to understand. There were parts that were really interesting. An example is when Stargirl stalks people in fifteen minutes to learn about the person’s life. After that, she would make a card for that person to cheer him or her. However, there were some parts that were hard to understand. There were instances when dialogues were not properly explained in the book.  When Leo consulted Archie for advice, Archie’s lines were figurative. The message of Archie was not explained in the book. 

Did the author achieve his purpose?

Yes, I think the author achieved his purpose. His purpose was to send a message to the people who are perceived as different. He thought that these “unique” should also be given equal attention. The school in the book represents the society. While Stargirl, represents the “unique”people. He thinks that the people who fit in the society should understand and accept  differencesbecause It will be very hard for aperson to change his or her natural self.

Another message is to accept one’s self. You have to learn to accept who you are. You don’t have to adjust to the society and act like they do. Just be yourself. In the story, Stargirl wanted to act like the rest of the students in their school. She did this because Leo Borlock, her boyfriend, wanted her to change. However, Jerry Spinelli wanted to tell the readers to accept peoplefor who and what they are. Leo Borlock liked Stargirl because she was different and not for who she really is. He liked Stargirl because she changed her self for a while. Nevertheless, 

It was also mentioned that even though Stargirl changed herself for the students to like her, the other students in MICA  still continued to shun her. Her only friend Dori Dilson did not like the changes that Stargirl did to herself. Even though she hated Stargirl’s change, she was a loyal friend to Stargirl. Dori accepted Stargirl for who she is.

 If you are a different person you have to accept the fact that you will really be bullied by other people, but those things should be forgotten and that you should let it pass.

People who were perceived as different have to consider the fact that there is a possibility of being bullied because of their uniqueness.  The bullies will have to face some consequences for their actions. An example would be, they could be put to detention or they could also be kicked out of school for bullying.

Plot Summary

The book tells about an odd girl in school, her name is Stargirl. The students did not like her, she does not fit in with the rest of the students in MICA. A student named Hillary Kimble thinks that Stargirl is fake, she thinks that the faculty planted her in their school so that the students in MICA would change. Archie was the only person who understands her. Archie said that Stargirl is more than what they are. Leo Borlock is the boyfriend of Stargirl. He does not like Stargirl, leo does not accept how Stargirl acts in school and how she dresses. He does not accept the fact that Stargirl will never fit in. 

Setting, POV, and mood

The story took place in MICA High School, Arizona. This story is told by the Leo Borlock.. Stargirl won first place in the  Oratorical contest that was held in Phoenix. She also made their Basketball team win in their games. However it is also sad, the MICA students hated Stargirl, they shunned her. They think that Stargirl isn’t real, they think that she’s an alien. They did not like her because she did not fit in with the rest of the students in MICA.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the favourite pet rat of Stargirl. 

Kevin

Kevin interviewed people in Hot Seat. He wanted to put Stargirl on the show. He thought that the number of viewers will increase if they put Stargirl on the show. He did not approve of Leo and Stargirl’s relationship. He did not mind Leo after knowing that he was in a relationship with Stargirl.

Hillary Kimble

She hates Stargirl. Before Hillary’s birthday, warned Stargirl about singing Happy Birthday to her. Hillary thinks that Stargirl is fake. Also she thinks that Stargirl came from another planet and is an alien of some sort. Hillary is also the girlfriend of Wayne Parr who is Wayne Parr? Hillary thinks that Stargirl was planted by the faculty to change the students act in MICA. Why do they need to change the students in MICA?

Archie

Archie is a palaeontologist. He collects the bones of prehistoric animals. He also teaches in the universities of the East. Leo would always visit him and ask for some advice. Archie also had a cactus in his backyard which he called Seneor Saguaro. Archie was also like family to Stargirl. He  understoods Stargirl.  Whenever Leo ask questions about Stargirl, Archie would explain to him what’s going on with Stargirl or why she acts that way. 

Stargirl

Stargirl is different among the other students in MICA. She plays the ukulele and sings even when not asked to sing. She knows everybdy’s birthday in school and she would always notice the little things around her. She cheered for the other teams during a Basketball game. She would also meddle with the problems of other people. When she was interviewed in Hot Seat she said that she doing it to get a boyfriend. she won the public speaking contest.  She was in a relationship with Leo.      

Leo

 Leo follows the rules and trend in school, because he does not want to be left out. He has been in MICA for so long that he already acted like the other students. Leo wanted to not want other people teasing him if he does not follow the trend.  Leo was the director of Hot Seat. At first, he was determined to put Stargirl on Hot Seat as a guest, However,  things changed as he started to become concerned towards stargirl. He began to think that Hillary Kimble wasn’t right about Stargirl. It was mentioned on the book how Leo fell for Stargirl. Although Stargirl was weird, Leo liked her and thought that Hillary Kimble was wrong. She wasn’t from another planet. Leo liked Stargirl because she was different from the other girls in school.

About the Author Jerry Spinelli

-          He was trying to send a message to the teenagers. The popular students in school usually think that they’re perfect, they think that they are always in the higher position in school. Jerry is trying to say how harsh they were in school, how harsh they were to the other students. Jerry also wanted to send a message thorough his book to the weird people in school. He thought that not just because you are so weird and so random everybody already hates you. No, it’s not like that. He thought that not all people would hate you there would always be some people who would like you for what you are.

-          He was trying to send a message to the teenagers. that popular students in school usually think that they’re perfect. They think that they are alwaysbetter than everyone else.. Jerry is trying to say how harsh bullies could be.  This book also tells us that there is nothing wrong with being different.  There would be people who would accept you for what you are

I say, Stargirl will not change!

Stargirl will not change her ways. First, she wants to stay different. She wants to be noticed. She likes wearing weird clothes, like the 1920’s flapper dress. Also, she also likes doing weird things. Moreover, she still continues dancing under the rain even though her teacher told everyone to go back to the classroom.  Lastly, she danced during the football game even if no one told her to dance. Finally, she would want to change the attitude of the students in the school. Stargirl would also want them to be different. Like her,  be free to wear anything they want, and do whatever they want to do. Most importantly,  they should not mind the judgments of the people around them.

FAQ's on Chapter 1

Here are some frequently asked questions on the first chapter of Stargirl. I myself answered the questions. Some of my answers were contextual evidences while others were my own opinion. Hope this helps. :)

Why do you think people think that Stargirl is a scam?

                The students think that stargirl is a scam. It’s because, she dances under the rain. The teacher asked all of the students to get inside the classroom while stargirl kept dancing under the rain. Also , she sings “happy birthday” to a student everyday. Even though she did not know who the student was or they did not know each other personally, she just sang happy birthday to that person.   Finally, it is because she wears weird clothes to school.

Why did Leo say that Stargirl is like a butterfly?

                Leo said that Stargirl was a butterfly. These might be his reasons. First, they are both colourful. Stargirl wears different types and colours of clothes everyday while the butterfly has different colours on it’s wings. Also, both of them have freedom. Stargirl can wear what she wants to school everyday . Besides that, she sings and dances whenever she wants to. While the butterfly can fly whenever it wants to go.

Why did Leo say that stargirl is the friendliest person in school but she does not have any friends?

                Leo said that Stargirl is the friendliest girl in school. It could be, because, she sings Happy Birthday  to a student everyday. Also, because she says “hi” to the 10^th graders. I think that the main reason why stargirl does not have any friends, is because they find her wierd in school. She dances under the rain after the teacher told all of the students to get in the classroom. Also, she sings and plays her ukulele in the cafeteria.