Stargirl
Section 1: Chapters 1-3
Predictions: Stargirl is going to make a huge transformation and become the prettiest girl in school. Kevin and Leo are going to interview Stargirl. Hillari Kimble is the Alpha, the Queen Bee. Leo is going to start having feelings for Stargirl.
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Leo really liked porcupine neckties. He received one in the mail from a stranger on his 14th birthday because his mom wrote about him and what he liked in the newspaper.
Stargirl liked to carry around a ukulele and sing to people at school.
Stargirl also had a pet rat named Cinnamon that went everywhere with her. It never left her shoulder.
Clarify: Kevin stated that Stargirl better be a fake because at Mica High School there were so many groups that were exclusionary or exclusive. So, he was saying that she better be a fake, otherwise she wouldn't fit in at Mica High School.
Try: Who is watching the boy and her family? Why is everyone staring at Stargirl? What is "Hot Seat"? Is Stargirl really fake or is she a "plant" that the school board put in the school? Where does Stargirl live?
Use: I know what it feels like to be the new girl and to be the only one without any friends, but Stargirl proves that you don't need friends to be happy. She proves to use that it's okay to be different and that we shouldn't care what anyone else thinks about us.
Review: In this section, we are introduced to the main character and all of the other characters. Leo and his best friend, Kevin, attend Mica High School in Mica, Arizona. A new 10th grade student, Stargirl, comes to Mica from being home schooled. Stargirl is confident and a little bit weird. She has no friends, but she could care less about what other people think about her. Kevin wants to put her on his and Leo's t.v. show, "Hot Seat", but Leo refuses. We don't know why he refuses, but it may very well be because he likes her.
Section 2: Chapters 4-7
Predictions: Hillari is going to plan something mean against Stargirl. Stargirl is going to bring a huge crowd to all the sporting events. Stargirl and Lep are going to date. Stargirl is going to become the prettiest and most popular girl at Mica and this will make Hillari very made.
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Wayne Parr, Hillari's boyfriend, wanted to be a male model when he grew up, and the job would be very fitting for him because he is handsome and has the personality of a model.
Stargirl had no shame when she went and cheered on the football team on Friday night, especially because no one was there. But, all her cheering and entertainment during the game drew a huge crowd to the rest of the football games.
Archie, a paleontologist, collects fossils and teaches the kids in Mica all about them.
Clarify: Although at school everyone doesn't seem to like her, they all really enjoy Stargirl's presence and how entertaining she is. She brings hope to Mica. She brings out the best in people through her confidence and kindness.
Try: Why do we need to know about Wayne Parr? Why was Stargirl running around the field? Why doesn't Hillari want Stargirl to sing "Happy Birthday" to her? Whi is Archie? What exactly does Archie mean when he is talking to the boys?
Use: I know what it feels like to have no student section at football games or even school spirit. fAt Paw Paw, most kids don't bring any school spirit, so my friends and I are going to be like Stargirl and bring a little pep to Paw Paw.
Review: In section 2, we learn about Hillari and her boyfriend Wayne Parr. Hillari can be described as the "mean girl". Stargirl has no fear and is so confident. She attended the football game and a lot of the student body and people of Mica to come to the next game. She was also asked to join the cheerleading squad and gladly joined. Kevin and Leo had to find out more about her, so they visited Archie and he told them a little bit about her but said that if they wanted to know that they would have to find out for themselves.
Section 3: Chapters 8-11
Predictions: Something bad is going to happen to Stargirl. Stargirl is going to win the competition. Hillari is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Stargirl is no longer popular. Leo has something to do with Stargirl when she is no longer a miracle. Kevin and Leo do something to Stargirl.
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At the football game, as part of her entertainment, Stargirl climbs the goalpost and makes a huge scene.
Stargirl was so very kind and she cared about everyone. She did things anonymously all of the time. An example would be when she bought Danny Pike a bike after he came back from the hospital.
Mica High School is not normally known for it's sports teams in a good way, but for some reason this years basketball team was amazing. At first when they started winning, everyone thought it was just luck but then they realized that they actually had talent.
Clarify: Stargirl's presence has changed all of Mica High School. Her confidence and kindness towards everyone and everything proved to people that they could do the same things as well! Stargirl was the one who brought the whole school together, yet she did not get one "thank you".
Try: How did Stargirl become so popular? Why does Hillari hate Stargirl so much? Was Stargirl really changing everyone? How did Stargirl change everyone in the whole school? What does Kevin and Leo do to Stargirl? Why did the cheerleaders leave Stargirl behind?
Use: Even though Paw Paw doesn't have much school spirit, when we do the games are so much fun and so intense, just like the games at Mica started to become. I know what the students of MHS were feeling when they said they hated losing, because there is nothing I hate more than losing.
Review: In Section 3, we see more and more of Stargirl around school because people start to notice her more. Her kindness was changing the whole school. MHS started to have some school spirit when their basketball team was winning. Almost all of the students started showing up to the basketball games to support the team. Stargirl of course was already supporting the team by cheering with the cheerleaders. The problem was that she cheered for both teams and the spectators, students, and cheerleaders became very annoyed with her. So, at one of the far away games the cheerleaders left Stargirl behind by telling the bus driver that everyone was on. The next day they told Stargirl that it was a mistake, and she believed them of course. Finally, Leo and Kevin got the courage to ask Stargirl to do an interview for the "Hot Seat" and she agreed and that Friday was the day that everything would change.
Section 4: Chapters 12-14
Predictions: The Hot Seat interview is going to end up really bad. Stargirl is going to be bullied by the kids at school because they don't think she's cool anymore. The basketball team loses. Stargirl and Leo fall in love and start dating, despite what everyone else says or thinks.
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This is what the station for the "Hot Seat" looks like behind the scenes, very complex.
During the interview, Stargirl looked down at her seat and saw that there were flames on it. Not realizing that they weren't real flames, she instantly started freaking out.
During one of the basketball games, where Mica lost, Stargirl had a tomato thrown in her face because she was cheering for the other team.
Clarify: Stargirl thought that "Hot Seat" the show really meant that there was a hot seat, or a seat on fire. She didn't understand that the T.V. show was only an interview and she really thought the the "Hot Seat" was going to burn her. Stargirl didn't understand this because she had not been given the opportunity to experience what normal teenages experience or real life experiences.
Try: What happens that doesn't allow Leo and Kevin to show the "Hot Seat" episode that includes Stargirl on television? Why do the jurors think that Stargirl is a traitor? Why is the jury attacking Stargirl? Since when does Stargirl like Leo and why does she? Are they going to date?
Use: When Stargirl got attacked with questions, I understood how she felt. Kids, especially girls, can be mean and cruel. The jurors on the show attacked Stargirl and that was not okay. I've been attacked before and nothing good came out of it.
Review: In Section 4, Stargirl finally has her interview with the "Hot Seat" show. At first, it was okay and everything was going fine, but then the jurors started attacking Stargirl with questions and insulting her immensely. Leo then had to stop the show, but people still talked about it and bullied Stargirl. Mica's High School basketball team was making it very far in districts, but Stargirl wasn't herself and hadn't been since the Hot Seat interview. She didn't cheer for the other teams, anymore by she was still her sweet self. At the basketball team's very last game, everyone had given up except for Stargirl. She kept cheering as if it were possible that the team still had a chance. And with that, the fans from the other team and spectators and students from Mica threw tomatoes at Stargirl.
Section 5: Chapters 15-17
Predictions: Stargirl really likes Leo. Leo is going to like Stargirl back. Leo and Stargirl are going to date. Everyone at school is going to make fun of Leo. Leo lost CInnamon forever. Stargirl is never going to forgive him.
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After Stargirl smiles at Leo, he becomes very blushed and nervous because he has never felt this way towards anyone.
Stargirl takes Leo to a desert field with lots of flowers in it.
While Stargirl and Leo are in the desert, they lose track of time and soon realize that they need to leave because it is already sundown.
Clarify: Leo feels starstruck after Stargirl smiled at him because he likes her. He doesn't know what he is feeling because he's never felt like this before. You can tell that he is crushing on her by the way he talks about how her smile made him feel.
Try: Why did Stargirl give Leo a card? What does Archie mean when he is talking about the fossil? Are Leo and Stargirl going to become an item? Why did Leo go to her house? Why did Stargirl bring Leo to the desert? What was the point of erasing your mind?
Use: Leo explains the feeling he gets when he thinks about Stargirl of course, being a girl and all, I know exactly how Leo feels. The wobbly knees, the racing heart beat, and the sweaty palms are all familiar feelings to me. Love is a funny thing, I'll tell you.
Review: In Section 5, Leo receives a card from Stargirl, and at first he thought that everyone received one, but he was mistaken. Leo didn't know how he should feel about it. Later that week, Leo found out that Stargirl had been kicked off the cheer team; he was so infatuated with her that he had to see more and find out more. So, he walked to her house and they talked for a while outside. Leo could barely walk home because he was in love. THe next day after school, Leo and Stargirl took off to the desert, the place that Leo had once followed her to before. As they were in the desert, Stargirl told Lep to let loose his mind. At first he was unable to do it, even Cinnamon could do it, but then he let his mind go and he was able to clear his head. When he came back to, him and Stargirl walked silently, hand-in-hand, back home.
Section 6: Chapters 18-23
Predictions: People are going to make fun of Leo and Stargirl, especially Leo. Stargirl is going to become depressed because no one likes her anymore. Leo is going to leave Stargirl. Stargirl is going to win the competition. People will eventually appreciate all of Stargirl's kindness.
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Leo mentions that he feels like him and Stargirl are living in a world that they can call their own, a universe of Space and Stars.
While talking with Archie, Leo described the beautiful Arizona scenery all around him.
To make people's days a little bit better, Stargirl drops some type of coin on the cement every so often.
Clarify: Archie gives Leo advice that might not make a ton of sense at the moment, but advice that will eventually help Leo a lot. Archie is a teacher, so he naturally is always teaching and listening. Archie is very helpful when giving advice to Leo.
Try: Why doesn't anyone like Stargirl anymore? Why do people blame Stargirl for the basketball team's loss? How doesn't Stargirl not notice that no one is talking to her ? Why does Leo "catch" himself from cheering? Why is Stargirl fascinated with the littlest things? Why is Stargirl so nice? Did something devastating happen to her that made her want to be nice all the time?
Use: As a PAL, I understand what it means to give advice and to help others with their problems. There are certain things you can say to a person and certain things you can't. Archie does a good job giving advice to Leo, and even though it may be tedious Archie still listens very well.
Review: In section 6, we learn all about Stargirl and Leo's romance. But along with this romance, came the shunning of all the other students in the school. No one could understand why Leo was in cahoots with Stargirl. This of course upset Leo, but Stargirl was not bothered the least bit by it. Leo really likes Stargirl but he didn't know what to do about how everyone was shunning him, so he goes to visit Archie to ask him for advice. After Leo visits Archie, he decides that he shouldn't care what everyone else thinks about him, so he and Stargirl start spending a lot of time together. Leo learns all about Stargirl and the little things that make her happy. Lep thinks that he is falling in love, until Stargirl does something that embarrases Leo immensely.
Section 7: Chapters 24-26
Predictions: Leo is going to upset Stargirl by telling her that he doesn't love her like she loves him and that he doesn't like being embarrassed in front of everyone. Leo and Stargirl are going to break up. Stargirl is going to be devastated. Stargirl is going to move to another school because no one likes her. Stargirl will eventually go back to her old self because Leo will miss it.
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To show her love for Leo, Stargirl made a huge sign that said, "Stargirl loves Leo," and put it up at school for everyone to see.
Again to show her love for Leo, Stargirl changes to be normal like all the other girls at Mica. She turns into a "normal" teenage girl.
Stargirl envisioned a huge celebration when she returned home from winning the competition.
Clarify: Leo's crime, that caused him to be "punished" by the entire school, was that he was dating Stargirl. Basically the whole school dislikes Stargirl, but for no real reason. Because Leo is dating her, the whole school is shunning him, just like they are Stargirl. Leo doesn't like being shunned by the whole school, so he starts to rethink being with Stargirl.
Try: What does "Roadrunner" mean? Why is Leo ignoring Stargirl if he loves her? Why is everyone punishing Leo like dating Stargirl is a crime? Is Leo really that embarrassed by Stargirl? Why is Leo being so mean to Stargirl? Why is Leo trying to change Stargirl? Where did Stargirl go? Why did Stargirl change? Why is Leo doing this, why is he ruining Stargirl?
Use: I see people changing all the time, just so that they can be "cool" and fit in with the popular crowd. It's sad to see people like Stargirl, with such amazing personalities, to change just because someone else told her to. Stargirl shouldn't have to change just because people don't like her. It's okay to be different.
Review: In section 7, Stargirl shows her love for Leo by making a sign that said "Stargirl loves Leo". This embarrassed Leo a lot, so he ignored Stargirl for a dew days. Stargirl finally was able to talk to Leo, and she asked him what was wrong. Leo told Stargirl that she wasn't like everyone else and that she wasn't normal. Stargirl completely changed after Leo told her this. She became just like all the other teenage girls, and Leo loved it because he was finally "cool" again. Stargirl however, couldn't figure out why people didn't like her even after she had changed. So, she resorted to some lame things to try and become popular but they didn't work. But, she came up with an idea on how to win the Arizona State Oratorical Contest so that she would come back a hero. Leo loved this idea and couldn't wait.
Section 8: Chapters 27-29
Predictions: Leo and Stargirl are going to move forward in their relationship because Stargirl is finally "normal". No one is going to show up at Starigl's homecoming ceremony. Stargirl is going to lose. Leo is going to break up with Stargirl because he doesn't like who she's become. Stargirl is going to win the competition.
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After winning the oratorical contest, Stargirl received a silver platter.
While on their way to the competition, Stargirl has to get out and look at a mockingbird because they are rare. She was being curious, just like she always is.
When Stargirl arrives home from the competition, she expects to see a huge crowd with many of her fellow classmates but instead she only sees an empty parking lot.
Clarify: Stargirl, also known as Susan, is acting like this because she thinks that Leo likes her this way. Stargirl thinks that Leo likes girls that are popular and cool, so she changes to become popular and more liked. Stargirl doesn't understand what she is doing, therefore she starts complimenting her self and talking her self up. She starts dressing differently too. Stargirl was changing for the worst.
Try: How did Susan change so quickly and why? Why is Stargirl so cocky? What was different about Susan's speech? Will Susan ever go back to normal? Why does Leo seem irritated that Susan just made her speech up on the spot? Is Susan going to let winning go to her head and become rude and arrogant? Why didn't anyone show up to congratulate Susan?
Use: I know how Susan feels when she when she sees that no one came to congratulate her on her win. There is nothing that is more devastating than not receiving any praise from classmates and friends when you do good on something. Stargirl (Susan) always congratulates everyone else, so it was disappointing to her when no one came to support her.
Review: In section 8, the date for the state Oratorical Competition had finally arrived. Susan was so excited and she was allowed to bring Leo, so that made her even more excited. The whole ride there, Stargirl chewed Leo's ear off like she normally would, except this time all she could talk about was how she couldn't wait to win or how everyone at school was going to congratulate her for winning. Leo couldn't tell if he liked this Susan or if he wished that the old Stargirl would come back. They finally arrived at the hotel for the competition a little while later and Stargirl had to get ready for the first round of the competition. She passed with no problem. In the finals, Stargirl changed her speech that she had been working on for so long and made it up on stage. Of course, Stargirl won first place. Although, when she arrived back home, no one besides Dori was there to congratulate her. Stargirl was devastated.
Section 9: Chapters 30-31
Predictions: Stargirl and Leo are going to break up. Stargirl is going to find another and Leo will be very upset.
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Even after Stargirl was devastated, she was able to go around school as her normal self and hand out smiley face cookies.
The Ocotillo Ball was held on the Mica County Club tennis courts.
When Stargirl arrives at the ball, everyone can't help but stare. Her hair was especially beautiful and was described as looking like honey and strawberries.
Clarify: Leo said that he hated Stargirl in the moment when she kissed him on the cheek and told him that it was okay that he didn't ask her to the dance because it was in that moment that Stargirl basically told Leo that she really didn't care about what he wanted her to be. Stargirl realized that being independent was so much more important that trying to please everyone. Stargirl in this moment proved to Leo that she was better than him.
Try: Why doesn't Stargirl seem that upset? Why did her dad put the platter back into the car after it fell out? Why does Hillari hate Stargirl so much? Why does Leo care so much about what Stargirl looks like? Is Leo going to ask Stargirl to the dance? Why did Stargirl start the "Ukee Dooks"? Why doesn't Leo go out and applaud Stargirl and Dori during their performance? Why didn't Leo go to the ball? How does Stargirl get everyone under her spell without even saying anything? Why do all of the boys want to dance with Stargirl? Why is Hillari getting so mad? Why did Hillari slap Stargirl? How did Stargirl just walk away from Hillari?
Use: I know how Leo feels when he sees Stargirl. He realizes that he made a huge mistake by letting Stargirl go. She was a beautiful girl with a great personality and Leo no longer had her. He let her slip through his fingers and now he was regretting it. I have also made the same mistake before by letting an opportunity to better myself at the sport of volleyball. You never realize what you have until it is gone.
Review: In section 9, Susan and Leo return from the contest expecting to see a huge crowd welcoming her home with congratulations and excitement. Sadly, there is no one there besides Dori Dilson. This left Susan devastated. The next day at school, Susan turned back to Stargirl and her old self. Leo and Stargirl were officially over because Leo didn't have the guts to be with someone like Stargirl. He was too ashamed to be with someone who was different. So, Leo decided that he didn't want to go to the Ocotillo ball but that did not stop Stargirl what so ever. Stargirl showed up without a date and she looked absolutely stunning. No one could take their eyes off of her. Although she was alone, that did not stop Stargirl from dancing the night away. Eventually, everyone came around and boys started to ask Stargirl to dance. Many of the students also started to dance to the bunny hop. They took the dance off of the tennis courts and were gone for what seemed like hours. This made Hillari furious. She wanted to dance to different music, but the D.J. kept the bunny hop on repeat. When they got back, Hillari slapped Stargirl but Stargirl did not retaliate. Stargirl simply kissed Hillari on the cheek and walked away with pride.
Section 10: Chapters 32-"More than Stars"
Predictions: 15 years later, and Leo still has feelings and regrets about Stargirl.
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A few weeks after the dance, Stargirl moved. It was heartbreaking to Leo to see a "For Sale" sign in her yard.
Stargirl's "office" was located in Archie's tool shed. A place no one expected it to be.
In place of Archie's old house and Stargirl's enchanted place, was an elementary school. Leo was shocked to see this when he returned to visit Archie.
Clarify: Archie compares Stargirl to a star because she is rare. She is a primitive star because she was more in touch with the world. She was not caught up in the technology of the world. She wasn't oblivious to the little things, like most of us are. Stargirl was very rare and that is why Archie described her as a primitive star. Leo let one go, and he took the risk of never meeting or seeing another primitive star again.
Try: Why didn't Leo realize earlier that Stargirl loved him? If Leo would've let Stargirl know that he really loved her, would he have been able to prevent her from leaving Mica? What was the reason for Stargirl to move? Why did Archie keep the tool shed office a secret for so long?
Use: When I was little, I used to go to grandpa's house every weekend. When he passed away, we had to sell the house. We recently took a trip up to his house just to see how it was looking, and we found that it had been updated and modernized. It was upsetting to see something I had always known gone. This is similar to how Leo felt when he returned home to visit Archies and found that everything he had known was gone and replaced with something knew.
Review: In section 10, we are taken back to the present time. Leo tells us about how shortly after the drama at the dance went down, Stargirl moved. She moved without telling Leo and he was heartbroken when he saw the "For Sale" sign in her yard. Leo then realized what he had done and that he had let a really great girl go. Leo would visit Archie every time he returned from college. Archie showed Leo Stargirl's office and it brought Leo back to many great memories he had made with Stargirl. Eventually, Leo returned and Archie's house was no longer there. Instead, there was an elementary school. Leo ended the book by saying that he wished he could have one more chance with her and that he would do anything to be with her again.
Plot Line
Exposition: A new girl, Stargirl Carroway, arrives at Mica Area High School. She is a little different, but soon everyone wants to be just like her.
Rising Action: Stargirl likes to sing "Happy Birthday" to everyone at school, she dresses a lot differently than all of the other girls, and she's not afraid to introduce herself to strangers. Stargirl is the talk of the high school when she first arrives because she is so different. And soon, everyone wants to be just like her. Leo doesn't know what to think of Stargirl. His friend Kevin really wants to invite Stargirl onto their television show, the HotSeat, but Leo doesn't think that it's such a good idea. Stargirl goes to a football game and gets a huge crowd to come just because of her entertainment. When basketball season rolls around, Stargirl is asked to join the cheerleading squad. Of course she say yes, but after a while the other cheerleaders realize that she doesn't really understand the whole concept of rooting on your own team. The basketball team goes undefeated for the majority of the season but when districts come around, they lose. Everyone blames Stargirl for the loss because she was cheering on the other team. From that point on, everyone started to dislike Stargirl a lot. Leo, on the other hard, started to have a connection with Stargirl. So, they started dating. Stargirl let Leo in on all of her secrets about how she helps people and how she does kind things for them. Leo and Stargirl start to fall in love. Leo feels all shaky and nervous when he is around her, he thinks that he really is starting to like her.
Climax: To display her love for Leo, Stargirl made a huge sign that said, "Stargirl loves Leo," on it. This embarrassed Leo immensely. He starts to realize that no one likes him anymore because he is dating Stargirl.
Falling Action: Leo lets Stargirl know that no one likes her because she is different. This upsets her, so she changes and becomes just like everyone else. This however, didn't work, so Susan thought that if she won the oratorical competition that her popularity would increase. This didn't work out very well either. Susan returned back to Stargirl and her old self. Leo and Stargirl break up because Leo can't handle Stargirl because she's not cool enough and he doesn't want to ruin his reputation. Stargirl takes this very well and goes to the Ocotillo Ball alone. She looked stunning. She danced the night away alone and suddenly people started to realize that she wasn't all that bad, so they started treating her just like they used to. However, this did not last long because Hillari had to ruin it by slapping Stargirl and telling her that she was not cool. Stargirl responded well by kissing Hillari on the cheek and walking away.
Resolution: Stargirl was never heard of again after that night. Leo wasn't able to find her again. He was devastated because he realized that he had lost a good one. He would never meet another girl like Stargirl again.
Rising Action: Stargirl likes to sing "Happy Birthday" to everyone at school, she dresses a lot differently than all of the other girls, and she's not afraid to introduce herself to strangers. Stargirl is the talk of the high school when she first arrives because she is so different. And soon, everyone wants to be just like her. Leo doesn't know what to think of Stargirl. His friend Kevin really wants to invite Stargirl onto their television show, the HotSeat, but Leo doesn't think that it's such a good idea. Stargirl goes to a football game and gets a huge crowd to come just because of her entertainment. When basketball season rolls around, Stargirl is asked to join the cheerleading squad. Of course she say yes, but after a while the other cheerleaders realize that she doesn't really understand the whole concept of rooting on your own team. The basketball team goes undefeated for the majority of the season but when districts come around, they lose. Everyone blames Stargirl for the loss because she was cheering on the other team. From that point on, everyone started to dislike Stargirl a lot. Leo, on the other hard, started to have a connection with Stargirl. So, they started dating. Stargirl let Leo in on all of her secrets about how she helps people and how she does kind things for them. Leo and Stargirl start to fall in love. Leo feels all shaky and nervous when he is around her, he thinks that he really is starting to like her.
Climax: To display her love for Leo, Stargirl made a huge sign that said, "Stargirl loves Leo," on it. This embarrassed Leo immensely. He starts to realize that no one likes him anymore because he is dating Stargirl.
Falling Action: Leo lets Stargirl know that no one likes her because she is different. This upsets her, so she changes and becomes just like everyone else. This however, didn't work, so Susan thought that if she won the oratorical competition that her popularity would increase. This didn't work out very well either. Susan returned back to Stargirl and her old self. Leo and Stargirl break up because Leo can't handle Stargirl because she's not cool enough and he doesn't want to ruin his reputation. Stargirl takes this very well and goes to the Ocotillo Ball alone. She looked stunning. She danced the night away alone and suddenly people started to realize that she wasn't all that bad, so they started treating her just like they used to. However, this did not last long because Hillari had to ruin it by slapping Stargirl and telling her that she was not cool. Stargirl responded well by kissing Hillari on the cheek and walking away.
Resolution: Stargirl was never heard of again after that night. Leo wasn't able to find her again. He was devastated because he realized that he had lost a good one. He would never meet another girl like Stargirl again.
Characterization
Stargirl: Stargirl is a round, dynamic character. She is round because the whole story revolves around her. Stargirl is the one thing that changes everyone else. She teaches everyone around her that performing random acts of kindness is a good thing to do. She is also a dynamic character because she lets Leo influence her into changing herself. She changes because she wants to impress Leo. She soon realizes that she doesn't want to be like everyone else, and she changes back to her old self.
Leo: Leo is a round, static character. He is round because the book is written from Leo's perspective. Leo describes the changes that Stargirl goes through and he describes the feelings that he starts to have for Stargirl. Leo is static because he doesn't change for anyone. Leo stays the same throughout the entire book.
Kevin: Kevin is a flat, static character. Kevin is flat because although he is mentioned in the book, he really isn't that important to the moral of the story. Kevin is a static character because he doesn't change to make anyone else like him more or to become more popular. Kevin stays true to his obnoxious personality and stays the same throughout the book.
Themes
Love: Love is a theme of the book because Stargirl always talks about love. She performs small acts of love everyday. Stargirl loves everyone and everything in different ways. Love is a recurring theme in the book. Stargirl expresses her love to almost everyone, but she expresses it especially towards Leo and Cinnamon.
"Never judge a book by it's cover": This is also another theme of Stargirl because the first thing everyone does when Stargirl arrives at Mica High School is judge her by what she is wearing. Who would think that a girl wearing long skirts and ribbons in their hair would have such a kind and compatible personality. They all soon learn that they were wrong to judge her so quickly because the next thing you know, she is the most popular girl in school. Everyone wants to be just like Stargirl.
Be Yourself: In Stargirl, I thought that another good theme was that you should never be afraid to just be yourself. Even though it may not be "cool" to be yourself or it may not make you the most popular person in school, being yourself will make you happy. Stargirl was not afraid to be herself for the majority of the book, buy Leo somehow convinced her to change so that she could be cool. But when Stargirl was herself, she was at her happiest. Stargirl even said to Leo that she had never had 18 pebbles in her bucket before. Stargirl was not afraid to be herself around Leo.
Motifs
Ukulele: Stargirl always has her ukulele with her. She uses it to sing "Happy Birthday" or just to sing in general. Towards the end of Stargirl, Stargirl and Dori formed their own club called the Ukee Dooks. They perform in front of everyone in the courtyard fearlessly. And even after Stargirl left Mica, everyone continued the tradition of playing the Ukulele. Leo even said after he visited Mica when he came back from college that Mica High School was one of the only high schools left in Arizona with a ukulele in their band.
Porcupine Necktie: The necktie is another important motif because it represents how Stargirl was always aware. She knew everything about almost everyone because she took the time to read and learn about others. She wasn't selfish. She went out of her way to make sure that everyone else was happy before she was happy herself. The necktie appears at the very beginning of the book before Leo even knew Stargirl. Stargirl read in the newspaper about how Leo loved neckties, so she had her mom make one and she sent it to Leo. It also appears at the end of the book when Leo receives another necktie for his birthday.
Archie: Archie is like the grandfather of all of the children in Mica. Archie teaches the children all kinds of lessons. He teaches them lessons about paleontology and even goes as far as lessons about life and love. Stargirl is great friends with Archie and she goes to Archie for anything. Leo and Kevin are also great friends of Archie's. They go to Archie, especially Leo, when they need Archie's opinion on something or when they need help on something. Archie is a great role model and another huge motif in Stargirl.
Symbols
Silver Platter: When Stargirl won the State Oratorical Competition, she received a silver platter. Before the contest, Stargirl had changed herself just so that she could please Leo. She had changed so that people would like her. Stargirl thought that by winning the competition she would become popular and that everyone would like her again. When she arrives home, she is expecting a huge ceremony and celebration, but she is very disappointed when no one besides Dori is there to congratulate her. As she is getting out of the car, she drops the silver platter without even caring. Her dropping the platter symbolizes Stargirl dropping the act where she tries to fit in and be just like everyone else.
Names: Names are another big symbol in Stargirl. A name can say a lot about a person, it can tell us how they act and all about who they are. Stargirl says that she changes her name every time she changes. If you really think about this, we all are changing every minute of every day. We learn new things everyday, so Stargirl changing her name symbolizes how people are constantly changing.
Tone
Different: Stargirl is very different. She is not afraid to be different and do her own thing. At the beginning of the book, Stargirl goes to the football game and performs her own dance. She runs up and down the field and climbs on the goal post. During basketball season, Stargirl is part of the Mica cheerleading team but she cheers for the other team as well. You can also tell that Stargirl is different by the way she dresses. She doesn't dress like a "normal" teenage girl because she doesn't care what other people think about her.
Suspenseful: Stargirl is very suspenseful. From when Stargirl is on the Hot Seat to the when Hillari slaps Stargirl, there are many suspenseful events. When Stargirl is asked to be on the Hot Seat, she agrees right away. But, while she is being interviewed she is attacked by the jury. They blame Stargirl for the basketball teams loss and they ask her why she isn't normal. When Hillari slaps Stargirl, everyone at the ball stops and stares. Everyone was in awe that someone would do something like that. Stargirl takes the slap very well, by kissing Hillari on the cheek and walking away.
Cheerful: Stargirl is very cheerful all throughout the book. No matter how her day is going, she tries and makes everyone else's days better. Stargirl is always has a smile on her face and is constantly giving people compliments, giving them presents, and singing "Happy Birthday" to fellow classmates and friends. As you can see, Stargirl is always giving and never receving. She spreads her cheerfulness to everyone through her kind and generous actions.
Mood
Upbeat: The mood in Stargirl is upbeat because Stargirl is always trying to make people happy. After reading the book, I was left with a very upbeat and happy feeling. It made me want to go out and make someone else's day a little bit better by performing a random act of kindness. If you are upbeat and happy, you are making it easier for others to be upbeat and happy. When other people see that you are happy and in a good, upbeat mood, it will spread and make them want to do the same.
Sad: Although the book is very upbeat, it at times can also be very sad. At times during the book, I almost wanted to cry for Stargirl. For example, when Stargirl was getting attacked by the jury, I wanted to step into the book and stand up for her myself. When everyone at school was ignoring Stargirl, I wanted to go and talk to her. The way Stargirl was treated in the book was sad. The actions of these teenagers are pretty accurate in representing the actions of teenagers all over the county.
Encouraging: After finishing the book, I was encouraged to go out and change the world and the people in it. Stargirl contributed in a good way everyday by giving back to the community. As soon as I finished Stargirl, I was so encouraged and enthusiastic to go out and help those in need or just to make someone's day. I know that if someone like Stargirl were to do something kind for me, it would most certainly make my day. Stargirl's goal in life was to make everyone else's day better, and from reading this book it has also become my goal.