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.