"Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli

Rating: 5

Description: Leo is both embarrassed and fascinated by new student Stargirl Caraway's free-spirited and open approach to life. Stargirl wears pioneer dresses and kimonos to school, strums a ukulele in the cafeteria, laughs when there are no jokes, and dances when there is no music. In the beginning, the students of Arizona's Mica Area High School don't know what to think of Stargirl. Eventually they become enamored of her unique way of making everyone feel special. She even becomes a cheerleader. But Stargirl's friendliness even extends to the opposing team, and soon some students begin to think of her as less of a free spirit and more of a misfit freak. Leo, now "starstruck" by Stargirl's unexplainable regard for him, doesn't notice, lost in enjoying Stargirl's unique view of humanity and the world around them. But when Stargirl is verbally attacked on Leo's school show Hot Seat, he notices, and, while Stargirl doesn't seem to mind the new hostility, Leo does mind when it is extended toward him and he is scornfully dubbed "Starboy". Disturbed by this new negative attention, Leo begs Stargirl to become normal, to strive to fit in. Stargirl doesn't understand, but tries in order to please him. She becomes just Cathy, a normal high school girl. Leo is pleased and loves this new girl, but "Cathy" is secretly miserable, and unless Leo can learn to accept Stargirl, quirks and all, he may lose her forever.

Review: In this book, Jerry Spinelli takes the typical high school and throws in a wildcard, one person who represents everyone's inner identity stuggle. Stargirl is the person we all secretly wish we were, but in reality most of us are probably more like Leo, the normal boy who just wants to fit in. There is something in both Stargirl and Leo that we can all identify with. The plot, while not exciting, is interesting enough to keep the reader engaged, but not developed enough to detract from the message of the story, which is the important part. "Stargirl" is a must-read book, sometimes funny, sometimes haunting, and perfectly exemplifying society's habit of stifling individuality.