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. The setting is a high school in arizona where everyone is similar. Anna this book is much slower and stargirl isnt as captivating as in the first. Stargirl movie tiein edition by jerry spinelli, paperback. It is, in some ways, a ya version of the little prince, or a female version of spinellis own awardwinning maniac magee. Filmmaker julia hart explains the change indiewire. It had lots of drama and it had lots of funny parts. Stargirl really listened when leo said that no one liked her and that she is a nobody. See the definition, listen to the word, then try to spell it correctly. A modernday classic and new york times bestseller from newbery medalist jerry spinelli. The book begins with the introduction of the character leo borlock. Literary criticism synopsis of the novel chapter 17 summary. She loves life, the people around, making other people smile. 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.
She had no friends, yet she was the friendliest person in school. Many characters had a great personality and others had a horrible one,but it was really interesting while you read it. If so, you are on the right track to figuring out the tone of stargirl. Stargirl is a book about this girl named susan but calls herself stargirl. This is one of the major settings because this is were leo met stargirl. Stargirl was the unusual new girl who went from being the joke of the school to the most popular. Stargirls nonconformist personality leads to confusion and conflict among her teenage peers who prize acceptance. Examples of figurative language in the glass castle. Its also a place where, without distractions, the characters can get in touch with something deeper. Eleventhgrader leo borlock cannot quite believe the new student who calls herself stargirl. This is a gently mystical, thoughtprovoking, and enchanting rumination on conformity. Stargirl caraway smiles a lot throughout the book because she is genuinely a happy person. He tells us, every once in a while someone comes along who is a little more primitive than the rest of us, a little closer to our beginnings, a little more in touch with the stuff were made of 32. Stargirl book series 2 books all formats kindle edition from book 1.
Stargirl by jerry spinelli chapter 11 summary and analysis. Stargirl is a touching and thoughtful book, a celebration of individualism and a condemnation of the kind of society that would stifle it. But life is difficult enough when youre in high school and ten times worse if you dont fit in. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more. Stargirl is a middle grade novel by jerry spinelli, published in 2000. He was uncomfortable with the realization that the rest of the school also knew that he was. Throughout the book, the author and everyone he describes seem in awe of stargirl and all her genuine, positive qualities. The climax of the story is when leo realizes that stargirls differences make her special. Much of stargirl takes place in and around mica area high school.
Love, stargirl if stargirl floats your boat, then be sure to check out the sequel. Mass market paperback in stock more buying choices mass. 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 with the involvements of new people in her life, in phoenixville, pennsylvania. It was a fairly new town, developed around an electronics business park a decade and a half earlier. These stories resemble real life, and fictional characters within these stories react similarly to real people. Also, stargirl s actions are normally shown here so we have a chance to see the real stargirl. The setting of a story is where and when the action takes place. Setting definition is the manner, position, or direction in which something is set. We can tell that throughout the book, the one character that stays consistent in stargirl s life is this rat. Anyone who had not yet had the opportunity to meet the new girl. After school leo and stargirl walked out into the desert. She was walking directly into the setting sun, now a great orange perched atop the. I also thought the theme of the book, to live in the moment and see where life takes you, was forced.
She did carry a large canvas bag with a lifesize sunflower painted on it. Stargirl, was the new york times bestseller and an ala top ten best book for young adults. 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. This book resonates long after the cover is closed. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her. I think it is because she has something mysterious about her and he dose not really want to figure it out. She captures leo borlock s heart with just one smile. Readers see his life in his autobiography knots in my yoyo string, as well as in his fiction. Leo told her that she should care about what the world thinks of her and if she doesnt, people will make fun of her. Also, stargirls actions are normally shown here so we have a chance to see the real stargirl. I would recommend you read this book because i know you will like this book.
It was really exciting to read and really interesting. The prologue wastes no time telling us that the narrator, leo borlock, is attracted to the unusual in our world. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli and first published in 2000 stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirl s character and the novels overall message of nonconformity. Stargirl by jerry spinelli chapter 5 summary and analysis. Set in mica area high school in mica, arizona, the novel follows the story of the sophomore susan stargirl caraway, narrated from the perspective of junior leo borlock. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by jerry spinelli that narrows in on the personalities and issues of students in high schools.
Suddenly the simple phrase another day had new meaning. She sparks a schoolspirit revolution with just one cheer. In this celebration of nonconformity, newbery medalist jerry spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and. At first he thinks, like everyone else, stargirl is unusually strange.
Characterization other important characters exposition setting. This articles plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Also, stargirls actions are normally shown here so we have a. She stopped at an empty table, laid down her bag, slung the. The main conflict in the novel stargirl is between the female lead, susan stargirl caraway, and her classmates at mica area high school.
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. In her answers in class, she often spoke of sea horses and stars, but she did not know what a. Author jerry spinelli specifically chose the dry desert setting for his young adult novel stargirl for several reasons that we will explore here. This school is in a very small city in arizona causes much uproar when a new student joins. He already gives some unique characteristics, including his love for porcupine neckties. When stargirl arrives at mica high school, people notice her. Realistic fiction is a genre consisting of stories that could have actually occurred to people or animals in a believable setting. It is important because stargirl is new and different, and she does not fit in. He received a porcupine necktie for his fourteenth birthday and doesnt know who sent it. A good seven sentence summary of stargirl would precis the plot of the book in seven sentences and would use clear descriptive language and present in an easy to read, orderly flow of the plot. As the book takes a turn, she starts the lose friend after friend. Desperately in love, leo tries to change stargirl to be more normal, but in the end manages to destroy the very thing that made her special to begin with. Aug 01, 2000 newberywinning spinelli spins a magical and heartbreaking tale from the stuff of high school.
Conflict short summary synopsis protagonist antagonist themes mood climax by. The setting for stargirl was mica, a madeup town in arizona. Harts film doesnt alter the heartbreak of the books ending, but a slight. Stargirl project characterization reader log we predicted more when stargirl was being crazy. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli and first published in. The book follows a female student entering school, after eleven years of homeschooling. Learn stargirl list one personification with free interactive flashcards. Stargirl quotes by jerry spinelli meet your next favorite book. The book is about whether or not people should change to be like others or be true to themselves. Spinellis hilarious books entertain both children and young adults. Newberywinning spinelli spins a magical and heartbreaking tale from the stuff of high school. Choose from 19 different sets of stargirl list one personification flashcards on quizlet.
She sings happy birthday to classmates in the lunchroom, props a small. Cite examples from the book that show how archie helps one of the main characters. Stargirl came back to school and she was totally different. In her answers in class, she often spoke of sea horses and stars, but she did not know what a football was. Through this seemingly small detail about him, a whole series of spectacular events is placed in motion. We can tell that throughout the book, the one character that stays consistent in stargirls life is this rat. She is very weird and carriers a pet rat around named cinammon. Stargirl caraway was her name, or at least it was the name she announced to everyone in homeroom that first morning of classes. Print copies of the stargirl literature circle questions printable for students. The word begins with a brief introduction to leo at the age of twelve, and chronicles his move from his home state of pennsylvania to arizona. The detroit news and free press stargirl tells us the captivating story of a magical, mysterious girl. This becomes clear when he tells us about his love of porcupine ties. Stargirl by jerry spinelli fits into more than one genre.
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. Formerly homeschooled, stargirl comes to their arizona high school with a pet rat and a ukulele, wild clothes and amazing habits. It is also an example of young adult fiction and realistic fiction, and can be said to fit into the genres of romance and adolescent issues. 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 book is the sequel to the new york times bestselling book, stargirl, and centers on the worlds longest letter in diary form. Leo and stargirl try to go about their lives, and pretend that the others dont matter. He kept a low profile during lunch in order to avoid attention. Mica, arizona, a small town in usa mica high, the high school where leo and stargirl went to archies house, the home for a retired professor that has lots of weird stuff the time is present and then fast. Main character stargirl moved to mica and is new student who. Throughout the book, stargirl joins a cheerleading team, meets leo, and heightens her popularity status at school. Leo and his friend kevin have a talk show called the hot seat. I loved the concept and jerry spinellis cast of characters leap right off the page at you.
Crash came out of his desire to include the beloved penn relays of his home state of pennsylvania in a book, while maniac magee is set in a fictional town based on his own hometown. This oftentimes tense and emotional story explores the fleeting, cruel nature of popularityand the thrill and inspiration of first love. The resolution is when stargirl leaves the ball and she was not seen again. Stargirl was written by jerry spinelli, and first published in 2000. The novel stargirl is set in an arizona town at the edge of the desert. Give the gift of stargirl to the standout kid in your life with this 2book box set. Another reason is that they go to school so they are mostly there being normal kids. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli, and first published in 2000. Stargirl is set in the dry, southwest desert region of arizona in a small, fictitious, or fake, city called mica. Her unique personality was fun for a while, but when the basketball team lost and blamed her, she.
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