Part fairy godmother, part outcast, part dreamcometrue, the star of spinellis latest novel possesses many of the mythical qualities as the protagonist of his. 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. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli and first published in. As you read the book stargirl, youllstart to get more and more ideas about things you can do. She captures leo borlocks heart with just one smile.
Stargirl written by jerry spinelli is the book that is about an individual girl and other conforming students. 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. This is apparent in the very first line of the book, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times this is a contrast of the two cities, london, the tranquil home of mr. Stargirl essay example topics and well written essays 500 words. Jerry spinelli is the author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including maniac magee, winner of the newbery medal, and stargirl, a new york times bestseller and an ala top ten best book for young adults. Formerly homeschooled, stargirl comes to their arizona high school with a pet rat and a ukulele, wild clothes and amazing habits. Stargirlaninternationalbest sellingphenomenonand book ofthe year.
Stargirl book series 2 books all formats kindle edition from book 1. This is a girl who absolutely cannot be boxed in, pigeonholed, or tied up with a. The earth is speaking to us, but we cant hear because of all the racket our senses are making. Stargirl s entrance to school is a big deal for all the students in this small arizona town. Shubham sharma, ashmeet tathgur, estheriniguez, and james harris 2. She did carry a large canvas bag with a lifesize sunflower painted on it. Critics praise the stargirl character, and its overall message of nonconformity. 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. Characterization other important characters exposition setting. After his birthday and collection of porcupine neckties are mentioned in a local newspaper when hes 14, leo receives a second porcupine necktie, left. Ibelieve that oneday it will be onthe top shelvesalong with theother classics. I would recommend you read this book because i know you will like this book. Stargirl topics for discussion jerry spinelli 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.
Jun 03, 2015 jerry spinelli, stargirl stargirl is what her name claims to be. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. Crash came out of his desire to include the beloved penn relays of his home state of pennsylvania in a book, while. Leo is as ordinary as it gets, struggling to conform to the rest of his peers, he has to. Stargirl is new at mica and everyone stares at her with disgrace, except one boy named leo. Stargirl, was the new york times bestseller and an ala top ten best book for young adults. Aug 01, 2000 newberywinning spinelli spins a magical and heartbreaking tale from the stuff of high school. Stargirl dresses and acts different than anyone at mica high, and she doesnt care what anyone. A slideshow commercial for the book stargirl by jerry spinelli. 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. She captures leo borlock s heart with just one smile. The games and activities in this lesson will help your. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
You can talk to them about what they like to read, eat, or watch on television. Why are the students in the school giving stargirl the silent treatment. The day after the ball, stargirl moves out of town, and the choice that leo makes impacts him for the rest of his life. From the day stargirl arrives at mica high in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with murmur of stargirl, 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. Stargirl is a young adult novel by the writer jerry spinelli that was published in.
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. There are kids that receive all attention while others go unnoticed. My summer reading book is called stargirl by jerry spinelli. A modernday classic and new york times bestseller from newbery medalist jerry spinelli.
Many characters had a great personality and others had a horrible one,but it was really interesting while you read it. Stargirl is a young adult novel written by american author jerry spinelli and first published in 2000. Newberywinning spinelli spins a magical and heartbreaking tale from the stuff of high school. Spinellis hilarious books entertain both children and young adults. When stargirl forced leo to talk to her about why he was avoiding her, what did he tell her. Leo told her that she should care about what the world thinks of her and if she doesnt, people will make fun of her. Stargirl movie tiein edition by jerry spinelli, paperback. The prologue wastes no time telling us that the narrator, leo borlock, is attracted to the unusual in our world. For much of the novel, she simply doesnt care what other people think. Stargirl has made it onto the list of core literature for 7th graders at progressive school due to its exploration of two themes key to nhe, service and meditation. A sequel love, stargirl was released on august 14, 2007. Eleventhgrader leo borlock cannot quite believe the new student who calls herself stargirl. Mica high changed completely because of a person named stargirl. Stargirl, a book by jerry spinelli, tells the story of a strange and mysterious girl who, for the first time, attends mica area high school in arizona.
We heart stargirl and so will you this book has a lot to do with. Find places in the novel that reinforce these themes and discuss. I thought the book opens peoples eyes to how self centered someone can. This articles plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Leo falls in love with her, not because of her beauty, but because shes different. As a hobby, leo borlock collects porcupine neckties prologue. Essays from bookrags provide great ideas for stargirl essays and paper. Although stargirls long since skipped town, its difficult for people to stop talking about. Find thousands of free book reports essays, term papers, research papers, book reports, essay topics, college essa. Popularity, fitting in, and sameness are all key themes in stargirl. 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.
If you are ever absent from class and need to catch up on stargirl reading, please use the following link to read the book at home. Readers see his life in his autobiography knots in my yoyo string, as well as in his fiction. Jerry spinelli, stargirl stargirl is what her name claims to be. At her enchanted place, what did stargirl do to help her feel like she was nothing. I just finished the book and im very surprised on the ending that happend. Jerry spinellis stargirl is a wonderful novel for helping students think about what it means to fit in and what it means to be yourself. Nov, 2001 goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. 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. After stargirl changes back to susan, leo says she looked magnificently, wonderfully, gloriously ordinary. 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 stargirls character and the novels overall message of nonconformity. She arrived in a big yellow dress on a bicycle sidecar draped in flowers. Section a talk questions 1 to 5 refer to the talk in this section. Then stargirl arrives at mica high and everything changesfor leo and for the entire school.
At the end of the talk you will be given 15 seconds to answer each of the following five questions. My friend told me after i read it you only have one chance to be the real you, yes its scary and tough and not everyone will accept you but you must be able to live your life freely and happily stargirl does just that. Leo, a high school student, is fascinated by a new girl at mica high who calls herself stargirl. Her hair is the color of sand and falls to her shoulders. 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 is a girl who absolutely cannot be boxed in, pigeonholed, or tied up with a pretty little bow. Shes the smartest kid in her whole school but no one knows it, because melody cant talk. It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner, a publishers weekly best book of the year, and received other numerous awards and honors. Stargirl strums her ukulele and dances in the rain. Stargirl came back to school and she was totally different. And you definitely want to read it with your child. Prepare a short speech for an oratorical contest on a topic such as have the courage to be yourself. When stargirl arrives at mica high school, people notice her.
It was really exciting to read and really interesting. Stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirls character and the novels overall message of nonconformity. Dec 08, 2012 this is a booktalk i recorded for my young adult fiction course, libs 310 dl with uwsuperior distance learning. I have read it a million times and i do not cease to find beauty in it. She immediately starts a stir with her wacky outfits and even more wacky behavior. 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. In the book stargirl, what did hillari kimble do to stargirl and what was stargirls reaction. Spinelli made his picture book debut with my daddy and me, a loving tribute to fathers and sons. 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 quotes by jerry spinelli goodreads share book. This becomes clear when he tells us about his love of porcupine ties.
All the stuff he expected to see in her room was in the shed. The book itself drifts and meanders in a very pleasant way, much like stargirl herself. This is a booktalk i recorded for my young adult fiction course, libs 310 dl with uwsuperior distance learning. The main character of this book is susan caraway, but everyone knows her as stargirl. Jerry spinellis writing was excellent and creative and innovative. She stopped at an empty table, laid down her bag, slung the.
Ever since stargirl helped a player from the other team, they all have hated her. Print copies of the stargirl literature circle questions printable for students. Book excerpts are provided by the publisher and may contain language some find offensive. 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.
From the day she arrives at quiet mica high in a burst. Stargirl is one for the ages this book has changed me, i aspire to be like stargirl she is unique and amazing in her own way. She cheers for both teams at sporting events, sings happy birthday to strangers, is friends. It is a great opportunity to get kids to talk because i. This essay describes that reality of high school is so that popularity is always there. And since i love it so much, i thought id share lines from the books which i think, feel and know speak some truth. Stargirl teaches leo the greeting card game on page 114. Through this seemingly small detail about him, a whole series of spectacular events is placed in motion. 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. She sparks a schoolspirit revolution with just one cheer. Stargirl is a book about a girl who isnt like anybody else, she was homeschooled all of her life until her 10th grade year when she showed up at mica high school and changed everyones lives.
This is a book talk about stargirl written by jerry spinelli by hannah, a student in the reading workshop. Stargirl, who up till now has been homeschooled, starts school at mica high as a tenth grader, where leo is starting his eleventh grade year. Stargirl questions and answers discover the community of teachers. Stargirl really listened when leo said that no one liked her and that she is a nobody.
The main character of this book is a girl who names stargirl. The book i read was stargirl written by jerry spinelli. It had lots of drama and it had lots of funny parts. A unit plan based on the story by jerry spinelliwritten by mary b. What happens when an ordinary boy meets an extraordinary girl. The main purpose of this book is to show the contrasts between the peaceful city of london and the city of paris, tearing itself apart in revolution. On his fourteenth birthday his mom wrote a little blurb about her son in the local mica newspaper. Stargirl has received a lot of praise from critics.
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