But when i stood there they asked me again, are you happy. This is the main theme in jerry spinellis latest offering, stargirl. She is a new student at the mika high school and she is known as a strange girl because she always wears weird outfits and she does not behave as other students. Read free book excerpt from stargirl by jerry spinelli, page 2 of 2. 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. The main character of this book is a girl who names stargirl. Themes theme analysis the importance of being ones self. These notes were contributed by members of the gradesaver community. Another topic that plays a role in the theme of stargirl is bullying because the students bully stargirl for being herself. The third major event was what happened at stargirls competition and what happened when. Anyway, like the questions asks, what do you think would be a good theme to describe this book. She changed because she knew how important it the importance of knowing what is really important.
Love, stargirl is a sequel to the spinellis bestseller stargirl, which is referenced throughout the book. The theme of a novel is a message about life that is present in the story. He received a porcupine necktie for his fourteenth birthday and doesnt know who sent it. Stargirl is a young adult novel by the writer jerry spinelli that was published in the year 2000. This book resonates long after the cover is closed. If everyone had taken the time to fully understand her, like leo did, everyone would have realized the amazing person inside of her. The most obvious theme is the careful look at conformity and how it limits us, making us latch onto false values and means of evaluating others. This prezi is about the book stargirl, this book is by. Leo describes stargirl as a breath of fresh air, and both he and the student body as a whole enjoy the experience at first. A discussion of important themes running throughout stargirl. 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. Stargirl knows that true love is all about acceptance. They washed the paint off me and painted the earth all over me, lying me down, pined to the ground.
Stargirls identity plays a part in the theme because she is different than everybody else. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of stargirl by jerry spinelli. Written by timothy sexton a celebration of nonconformity. Even thought some people do like star girl s new look and personality, she is not being herself and some people do not like this. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in stargirl, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Many of the characters in love, stargirl are isolated. The stargirl community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography. 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. The mood remains upbeat as stargirl s popularity grows. In another sense, she embodies the theme of insider vs. Stargirl and dori dilson practice ukulele duets and become a very good singing duo. Stargirl written by jerry spinelli is the book that is about an individual girl and other conforming students.
Leo realizes that the shunning is never going to end, and that he should be brave enough to show some public appreciation for stargirls individuality. Stargirl, was the new york times bestseller and an ala top ten best book for young adults. But, after finishing the book, we are left with an upbeat, if somewhat subdued feeling. We can tell that throughout the book, the one character that stays. 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. 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 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. I do not know which one you are specifically asking for, so i am going to list a couple of themes and some relevant. Print copies of the stargirl literature circle questions printable for students. All the reminiscing is new to the uninitiated reader and builds intrigue about her past with leo and mesa, az. Her eyes were wide, her voice peepy like a little girls. The book begins with the introduction of the character leo borlock. Reading guide for stargirl by jerry spinelli bookbrowse.
The mood at the beginning of the novel is upbeat and happy, as the narrator describes the first time he saw stargirl. Written in the 1980s, set in japan, i picked kitchen up because i heard banana yoshimoto was a great author and i try to read as many books by women as i can, and i am trying to broaden the number of japanese authors i read as well. The most obvious theme is the careful look at conformity and how it limits us, making us latch onto false values and. The plot of the book begins when the character of stargirl is introduced to mica high. Popularity, fitting in, and sameness are all key themes in stargirl. Its like a diary, but as stargirl often talks to leo personally, its more of a letter. The third major event was what happened at stargirl s competition and what happened when. One theme in stargirl is conformity, or behaving in a certain way because everyone else does. In the novel stargirl by jerry spinelli the theme develops through identity, bullying and conformity. Stargirl is a ukulelestrumming, plainfaced, costumedonning character that enters a cookiecutter student body at an arizona high school. One of the themes, or morals of this story is never judge a book by its cover. Then, on page 87, leo describes the saguaro cacti, a recurring theme in the book. 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. 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.
Jerry spinellis stargirl, published in 2000, is a young adult novel dealing with the. In this lesson, you will learn about some of the themes. This meaning that no one should have judged star girl by the way she appeared or by the way of her being different. Identity and conformity in stargirl, by jerry spinelli bartleby. She stopped at an empty table, laid down her bag, slung the. 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. When stargirl arrives at mica high school, people notice her.
He already gives some unique characteristics, including his love for porcupine neckties. This oftentimes tense and emotional story explores the fleeting, cruel nature of popularityand the thrill and inspiration of first love. 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. Another theme for this novel could be always be yourself no matter what. Stargirl, for example, has just moved to a new town. Throughout the book, leo notices the fluctuations of the pebble wagon which is how the reader knows stargirl s mood, otherwise stargirl would be portrayed as a happy character throughout the whole book. Stargirl movie tiein edition by jerry spinelli, paperback.
The students at mica area high school seem to be stuck in a pattern. Apr 24, 2020 want to see just how much disney transformed jerry spinellis book of stargirl to make the disney plus movie starring grace vanderwaal and graham verchere. Kitchen by banana yoshimoto 810 this was hardly the book where i expected to come in contact with the story of a transgender woman. Jerry spinellis stargirl contains themes of individuality. Above all else, stargirl is an absolute celebration of the joy and even the necessity of nonconformity. Reading guide for stargirl by jerry spinelli discussion guide for book clubs. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this stargirl study guide and get instant access to the following.
In this lesson, you will look at quotes from the book. But by the end of the book, shes totally cool with who she is. Stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirl s character and the novels overall message of nonconformity. If you werent stuck in a homeschool all your life, youd understand. Jerry spinellis novel stargirl contains multiple themes as they concern relationships among people. Individuality and conformity jerry spinellis young adult novel stargirl highlights the kindhearted quirkiness of a high school girl who calls herself stargirl. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. Study guide book summary book notes plot synopsis chapter summary download notes. See additional detail in the theme analysis section. Unlike leo he waited and he was able to the real stargirl and he feel in love. They perform in the school courtyard, where theyre stubbornly ignored by everyone.
In her relationship with leo, she couldnt really accept herself, because leo couldnt accept her. When stargirl, an unusual free spirit, is the new girl at an arizona high school, the gossip begins immediately. You cant just wake up in the morning and say you dont care what the rest of the world think. If everyone else waited like leo they would have seen the real stargirl. Discussion of themes and motifs in jerry spinellis stargirl. In jerry spinellis stargirl, conformity is a central theme. This works great if the two are read in reverse order love, stargirl and then stargirl. Stargirl prezi presintation by anna pannell on prezi. A discussion of important themes running throughout love, stargirl. The detroit news and free press stargirl tells us the captivating story of a magical, mysterious girl. What kind of theme do you think fits with the book stargirl. The second major event was when stargirl was put on hot seat.
Transformed by disney stargirl, book vs movie part 1. Mar 04, 2019 our new desktop experience was built to be your music destination. If you are looking for a novel about issues relevant to high schoolers, try reading jerry spinellis stargirl. Include exact words from the book to support your answers along with the page number where the text can be found. A stargirl you shall be, they said giving spraying neon paint on me and letting me stand in the night. The book is the sequel to the new york times bestselling book, stargirl, and centers on the worlds longest letter in diary form. Stargirl was not comfortable changing to being more like everyone else.
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