Theme of the book stargirl

But, after finishing the book, we are left with an upbeat, if somewhat subdued feeling. The theme of stargirl is to always be yourself, its the best person there is for you. This study guide consists of approximately 31 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of love, stargirl. Leo identifies himself a lot by where he is from and where he lives now, but stargirl refuses to abide by traditional labels. The girl and the dreamcatcher written in the stars duration. This study guide consists of approximately 40 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of stargirl. While we may wish that leo and stargirls relationship continued on into the future, the fact that stargirl did make a longterm difference at mica area high school ameliorates the ending. The stargirl community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author. Fifteenyearold susan stargirl caraway longs for her boyfriend, leo borlock. Although spinellis most direct inspiration for the character of stargirl was his wife, eileen, the novels emphasis on kindness and acceptance also brings to mind the sense of fear evoked by the columbine massacre and similar. In stargirl friendship is about loyalty and love far more than it is about having things in common.

The book begins with the introduction of the character leo borlock. A new girl, named stargirl carraway, appears at school the first day of his junior year. They pay attention to someone for fifteen minutes and then they determine what kind of greeting card that person would most need to receive. Stargirl is not corrupted by societys rules about how a person should act or be. According to archie, stargirl is closer to a pure human than most people. She stopped at an empty table, laid down her bag, slung the. The plot of the book begins when the character of stargirl is introduced to mica high. Stargirl project characterization reader log we predicted more when stargirl was being crazy. Wisdom and knowledge sometimes we think of teachers as the ones who have all the answers. Stargirl is about the conflict between conformity and individuality, about what happens when an utterly unique, couldn tcarelesswhatothersthink character enters a closeminded, insular. He added interesting characters, such as, leo the quiet and shy one, stargirl unique and fun one, dori dilson stargirl only friend, archie the wise and elderly one, kevin leos friend that likes the stoplight, and hillari kimble the popular bratty one. The theme of individuality and conformity in stargirl from.

The creators of sparknotes stargirl themes from litcharts. Stargirl quotes by jerry spinelli goodreads share book. Jerry spinellis novel stargirl, set in arizona, is told from the point of view of the narrator, leo, who is stargirls boyfriend. Jerry spinellis young adult novel stargirl highlights the kindhearted quirkiness of a high school girl who calls herself stargirl. He already gives some unique characteristics, including his love for porcupine neckties. Stargirl is a ukulelestrumming, plainfaced, costumedonning character that enters a cookiecutter student body at an arizona high school. A celebration of nonconformity above all else, stargirl is an absolute celebration of the joy and even the necessity of nonconformity. I think one of the themes, is to be who you are, and to not let others decide for you. Stargirl was another fantastic book jerry spinelli. Stargirl, who chooses that name rather than be known by her given name susan julia caraway decides not to fit in with the crowd at her. Jerry spinellis stargirl, published in 2000, is a young adult novel dealing with the. Stargirl was not comfortable changing to being more like everyone else. The most obvious theme is the careful look at conformity and how it limits us, making us latch onto.

The main conflict in the novel stargirl is between the female lead, susan stargirl caraway, and her classmates at mica area high school. This little game is not just a fun way to spend a couple hours. Leo, the novels narrator, acknowledges from the beginning that his high school is not a bastion of individuality. It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner, an ala top ten best books for young adults award winner, and a publishers weekly best book of the year. Love, stargirl is a 2007 young adult novel by jerry spinelli. Dec 14, 2008 love, stargirl is a book told from stargirls point of view. The book is the sequel to the new york times bestselling book, stargirl, and centers on the worlds longest letter in diary form. In this novel, the major problem is the way stargirl is treated as. Stargirl who was homeschooled, now goes to a school, where everyone is the same, with pretty much no differences, no individuality. Throughout the novel the author suggests through the character of stargirl that life might be more fun if we could let go of group notions about what is normal, and. The theme of a novel is a message about life that is present in the story. Stargirl, was the new york times bestseller and an ala top ten best book for young adults. She did carry a large canvas bag with a lifesize sunflower painted on it. Below you will find the important quotes in stargirl related to the theme of individuality and conformity.

Stargirl was published a couple of years after the april 1999, columbine high school shootings in colorado, in which 15 people were killed, most of them students. Stargirl study guide from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. The book itself drifts and meanders in a very pleasant way, much like stargirl herself. I loved the concept and jerry spinellis cast of characters leap right off the page at you. The students at mica area high school seem to be stuck in a pattern of behavior where everyone knows.

In this lesson, we will look at some quotes from stargirl that explain the. Stargirl, for example, has just moved to a new town. Many of the characters in love, stargirl are isolated. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. He ultimately couldnt decide which he appreciated more, so he asks stargirl to rethink to her characteristics and try to be like everyone else in the school.

An expression is an important component of the theme of individuality, and it is stargirls method of spreading happiness and joy throughout the school. But by the end of the book, shes totally cool with who she is. When stargirl caraway enters leo borlocks life, her impact is both disturbing and permanent. Themes theme analysis the importance of being ones self. Were all still teenagers deep down, stargirl producer and writer kristin hahn. The thematic fever pitch of the novel during the hot seat segment in which the student.

What kind of theme do you think fits with the book. If everyone had taken the time to fully understand her, like leo did, everyone would have realized the. He deals with an internal struggle to go against what the norm would approve of. Even thought some people do like star girls new look and personality, she is not being herself and some people do not like this. It takes courage too love someone as much as leo and susan did. The novel stargirl by jerry spinelli is told from the firstperson point of view of leo borlock. Stargirl knows that true love is all about acceptance. In the end, stargirl is grue to herself challenging status quo, proving the importance of being yourself, and showing leo what should form your identity you. The stargirl community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you.

She disappears from mica high as abruptly as she first appeared, and the origins of her oddness she even comes from a fairly conventional family are unclear. She changed because she knew how important it the importance of knowing what is really important. From the day she arrives at quiet mica high in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of stargirl, stargirl. One theme in stargirl is conformity, or behaving in a certain way because everyone else does. She never once fails to sing happy birthday to a fellow student, and always has it on hand, strumming and giving sound to the world that she feels needs to be more colorful and plentiful. Not only do students follow the rigidly prescribed. In fact, one might even suggest that stargirl tips the scales from being merely. To some extent, stargirl remains a puzzle in the book. Its like a diary, but as stargirl often talks to leo personally, its more of a letter. Stargirl is unapologetically comfortable in rejecting all attempts to impose conformity upon her.

Print copies of the stargirl literature circle questions printable for students. He added interesting characters, such as, leo the quiet and shy one, stargirl unique and fun one, dori dilson stargirl only friend, archie the wise and elderly one, kevin leos friend that likes the stoplight, and hillari kimble the popular. Plus, theres the fact that at the very end of the novel, stargirl reclaims her identity through selflove. A modernday classic and new york times bestseller from newbery medalist jerry spinelli.

How stargirl disney movie is different from the book. Stargirl questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on stargirl. This would be a theme for this book because after a long time of being a student of mica high, star girl decided to become someone she is not. This is the main theme in jerry spinellis latest offering, stargirl. Stargirl, who chooses that name rather than be known by her given name susan julia caraway decides not to fit in with the crowd at her new high school and elects to. Stargirl study guide from litcharts the creators of. In her relationship with leo, she couldnt really accept herself, because leo couldnt accept her. One of the themes, or morals of this story is never judge a book by its cover. The conflict of a plot is the major problem experienced by the protagonist. Another theme for this novel could be always be yourself no matter what.

Stargirls nonconformist personality leads to confusion and conflict among her. Stargirl and leo play what seems to be a simple game at the mall. Jerry spinellis novel stargirl, set in arizona, is told from the point of view of the narrator, leo, who is stargirl s boyfriend. The students in the high school are in a formative part of their lives, wrestling with who they are and who they want to be. It picks up where the previous novel left off after stargirl left mica high and describes her bittersweet memories in. Main character stargirl moved to mica and is new student who. The themes of love, stargirl include resilience, dealing with the fall out of a relationship, and learning to love ones new situation. Dori is loyal to stargirl before, during, and after she is popular in the book stargirl illustrates that having one try friend is better than having lots of croniesfriendship is about loyalty and love far more that about hang things in common. Stargirls nonconformist personality leads to confusion and conflict among her teenage peers who prize acceptance. Spinelli was already a celebrated childrens author by the time the book was written and it met with critical success, being lauded for its message of nonconformity.

As much as i enjoyed the book, ill admit that there were points in the book where i found myself idly wondering what it would be like to plant my hand over stargirls face and give her a good shove backwards. Stargirl susan this is the main character, the protagonist leo borlock this is the narrator of the story. This prezi is about the book stargirl, this book is by. Love, stargirl is a book told from stargirls point of view. Read free book excerpt from stargirl by jerry spinelli, page 1 of 2. He received a porcupine necktie for his fourteenth birthday and doesnt know who sent it. Stargirl tries her hardest to remain true to herself, but with leos influence and harsh judgment she changes herself for a brief period of time. It picks up where the previous novel left off after stargirl left mica high and describes her bittersweet memories in the town of mica, arizona along. What kind of theme do you think fits with the book stargirl by jerry spinelli. List of main characters stargirl susan this is the main character, the protagonist leo borlock this is the narrator of the story.

It teaches you valuable lessons, like to never let people come in the way if you really love someone. Study guide book summary book notes plot synopsis chapter summary download notes. It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner, an ala top ten best books for young adults award winner, 1 and a publishers weekly best book of the year. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of stargirl by jerry spinelli. When you want to learn about the themes and setting of a story, one of the best sources is the words of the author. The majority of the book takes place when he is sixteen. Stargirl is a ukulelestrumming, plainfaced, costumedonning character that enters a cookiecutter student body. 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. Then, on page 87, leo describes the saguaro cacti, a recurring theme in the book.

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. The most obvious theme is the careful look at conformity and how it limits us, making us latch onto false values and. It tells you to be a stargirl, be different dont follow the crowd. The book is narrated in the first person from the protagonists perspective and takes the form of many letters. If everyone had taken the time to fully understand her, like leo did, everyone would have realized the amazing person inside of her. When stargirl arrives at mica high school, people notice her. This meaning that no one should have judged star girl by the way she appeared or by the way of her being different. She is like ancient people who were much more connected to the world around them and considered themselves as part of the earth, not as conquerors of it, like many people think today. Few parents will have objections to the content, but there is one scene in particular where stargirls peers verbally attack her on a television show. Stargirl is a young adult novel by the writer jerry spinelli that was published in the year 2000. Discussion of themes and motifs in jerry spinellis stargirl. Anyway, like the questions asks, what do you think would be a good theme to describe this book. Stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirls character and the novels overall message of nonconformity.

Jerry spinellis novel stargirl contains multiple themes as they concern relationships among people. She realizes that you sacrifice yourself to make others happy. Stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirl s character and the novels overall message of nonconformity. Stargirl is a touching and thoughtful book, a celebration of individualism and a condemnation of the kind of society that would stifle it. Conflicts leo has to choose whether he values his friends more than stargirl as he couldnt withstand being ignored by people.