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Stargirl
Reader's Guide
About
This Guide
Stargirl is
a true celebration of nonconformity. This oftentimes tense and emotional
story explores the fleeting, cruel nature of popularity—and the thrill
and inspiration of first love. The questions, discussion topics, and author
information that follow are intended to guide readers and spark discussion
as they begin to analyze the larger emotional, sociological, and literary
elements of this exceptional and thought—provoking novel.
About the Novel
She's as magical
as the desert sky. As strange as her pet rat. As mysterious as her own
name. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High School in a burst of
color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of "Stargirl, Stargirl."
She captures Leo Borlock's heart with just one smile. The students of
Mica High are enchanted. At first. Then they turn on her. Stargirl is
suddenly shunned. And Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her
to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal.
- Suggested
Topics of Discussion As the saying goes, "love is blind." How is this
truly the case with Leo and Stargirl? Looking back, how can you tell
that Leo was falling for her? And does he stay in love with her, even
after she moves away?
- Professor
Archie Brubaker is the voice of reason throughout the novel. Archie
has many thoughtful insights into the personality of Stargirl, and at
one point says about her: "You'll know her more by your questions than
by her answers. Keep looking at her long enough. One day you might see
someone you know." Now that you've finished the novel, what do you think
Archie means by this statement?
- While Stargirl
is a guest on "Hot Seat," Kevin asks her why she changed her name. Do
you accept her reason why she did this? How is "Stargirl" an ideal name
for her? Think about the possibility of changing your name several times.
Do you think your name is an integral part of who you are, or can you
imagine yourself with another one?
- In the beginning,
Hillari Kimble seems to be the only person who openly dislikes Stargirl.
But then others begin to feel the same way as Hillari. Do you think
that groups of people need a leader, like Hillari Kimble, to turn opinions
against another person?
- Do you, as
a reader, like Stargirl? If you were a student at Mica High, would you
reach out to her like Dori Dilson, or reject her like Hillari Kimble?
Do you think the students of Mica High are ultimately too harsh on Stargirl?
- Popularity,
fitting in, and "sameness" are all key themes in Stargirl. Find places
in the novel that reinforce these themes and discuss. Do you think Stargirl
ever wanted to be popular? How might she define popularity?
- After Stargirl
changes back to "Susan," Leo says "she looked magnificently, wonderfully,
gloriously ordinary. She looked just like a hundred other girls at Mica
High. . . . I had never been so happy and proud in my whole life." How
did you feel when you read this part of the novel?
- Author Jerry
Spinelli plays two major events in the novel off of each other: the
basketball championships and the oratorical contest. After Stargirl
wins the oratorical contest, Leo says that "the cheering is as wild
as that of the crowd at a championship basketball game." Stargirl is
the focus at both events but in very different ways. How is she rejected
at one and accepted at the other? And how does this acceptance ultimately
lead to rejection?
- The Ocotillo
Ball at the end of the novel represents a turning point. Do you think
Stargirl made a deliberate attempt to say good—bye at the ball?
What do you make of the students' behavior at the ball, and what does
this tell you about the student body of Mica High as a whole?
- Archie says
about Stargirl, "Star people are rare. You'll be lucky to meet another."
Do you think Leo was grown—up enough for his relationship with
Stargirl? How about the students of Mica High? Will Leo ever figure
Stargirl out?
- What is the
irony at the end of Stargirl? Is Stargirl popular after all? What happens
to the "popular" kids in the storyÑdo they stay popular?
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