Stargirl

By: Jerri Spinelli
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Dates Read: May 1-19
Pages: 186
Source: Own it

Why did I read it?

Like all Canadian kids, I looked forward to the Scholastic catalogue coming out every month.  My mom would really only allow me to buy the $1 book of the month.  At some point this was the book.  It quickly became my favourite book and I can't tell you how many times I have read it before this.  It has probably been 10 years or so since the last reading and with the movie out on Disney+ I wanted to pick it up before screening the film.  

Leo is starting grade 10.  On the first day there is a new girl, Stargirl.  She has arrived dressed in eclectic clothing with her pet rat in the pocket of her backpack and ukulele in hand.  Right from the start, the whole school thinks she is odd.  Leo tries to ignore her, as his goal in school is usually to fly under the radar, but that does not happen for him.  They start dating and then everything starts to change for both of them.

Stargirl is a beautiful book about being yourself even when it is hard to.  It is not only Stargirl who decides to just be herself, but Leo finds himself too.  He goes against the crowd and befriends Stargirl.  It is a beautifully told story that every young person needs to read.  My copy is wearing out.  Even when Stargirl does what she can to fit in, she's not happy.  If you're weird, just be weird.  You will find your place in this world.  

The book is short and poignant and beautiful, but I would be remiss without mentioning the movie.  As a girl, I dreamed of them making this book into a movie.  In fact, I thought my friend Stefanie was perfect for the part because she was blonde and had a pet rat (I didn't know how Hollywood worked at 10).  My first thought is why does there have to be dead/absentee dads?  The parents play little role in the book because they don't need to.  Leo doesn't need to find himself because of something his dead dad did, he just needs to find himself by himself.  Also, Stargirl was not special enough.  In the book she shines but somehow the movie dulls her light.  It is not her.  I don't think the movie portrays the real meaning of Stargirl, it's just a nice movie. 


Rating: 5/5

Even as an adult I am going to give this book 5/5.  It is so important for young (and old) people to read this book.

Recommendation: Read this book.  No matter how old you are.  I think we all could use a reminder to be unconditionally kind.