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Author 411 August 2007 - Jerry Spinelli Photo © courtesy of Gettysburg College
Love,
Stargirl picks up a year after Stargirl ends and reveals
the new life of the beloved character who moved away so suddenly
at the end of Stargirl. The novel takes the form of "the
world's longest letter," in diary form, going from date to date
through a little more than a year's time. In her writing, Stargirl
mixes memories of her bittersweet time in Mica, Arizona, with involvements
with new people in her life. AUTHOR 411 1.) Love, Stargirl, picks up with Stargirl’s life shortly after her family’s move to Pennsylvania from Mica, Arizona. Stargirl, however, concluded with Leo’s reflections many years following her disappearance from Mica. What influenced your decision to go back and revisit Stargirl during the time in which the sequel is set? What difficulties did you face as you filled in this time frame, which had been left open at the end of Stargirl? Terrific question, as it zeros in on a writer’s issue. When I ended Stargirl I had no intention of ever doing a sequel. Five years later I had a problem. Having decided to portray Stargirl the following year, what do I do with Leo, who, as you say, apparently doesn’t see her for quite a few years after Stargirl ends? I would just say that I tried to turn this “problem” to my advantage and to tell the story in a way that’s not too predictable.
2.) Stargirl is unlike any teen we know, in life or in literature. What inspired you to write her story? How did you imagine Stargirl, or is she based on someone you know? Some have deduced, from the dedication page of Stargirl, that this colorful, multidimensional character is based on your wife, Eileen Spinelli. If so, does that make you Leo? In a word, yes, Eileen comes closest to being a model for the character. Some things that Stargirl does I lifted right from Eileen’s personal history. I would say I’m not Leo as much as Eileen is Stargirl, but there certainly is some of me in Leo.
3.) One teen book group wonders if Betty Lou was the “first” Stargirl, and if, perhaps, Dootsie will be the next. How do you respond to this? All I can say it that’s a very interesting and perceptive speculation. Both Betty Lou and Dootsie would probably be first in line to join a Stargirl Society.
4.) In this sequel, Stargirl experiences several new beginnings: a new home, new friends, new hopes, and challenges. Why then, does she keep her name as is? Judging from her explanation in Stargirl, it would seem likely for her to explore all sorts of new names to complement these new beginnings. The name that she most recently hit on—Stargirl—is one so packed with meaning and potential for her that she’s nowhere near ready to scrap it yet. She doesn’t force things. She’ll trade in her name only when she feels it doesn’t fit anymore.
5.) If you were to change your name like Stargirl did, a.k.a. the former Susan Caraway, what would you call yourself? Congratulations! That’s the hardest question I’ve ever gotten. It took me 30 years to settle on the name for the main character in the book that finally came to be called Stargirl. So you’ll have to give me at least that long to come up with a name for myself. In the meantime, I’ll tell you that in college I tried to get my fraternity brothers to call me Weasel, but it didn’t stick. As I note in Maniac Magee, you can’t give yourself a nickname; it’s what the world wants to call you. Of course, “Stargirl” is not a mere nickname.
6.) f you could have a conversation with Stargirl, what would you ask her? Are
you ever bored?
7.) How did you come up with the idea of Cinnamon, Stargirl’s pet rat? Why not another animal? What does her choice in pet say about Stargirl? Rats make terrific pets. I know because I’ve had them. It’s common for Stargirl to consider common attitudes—in this case, a negative opinion of rats—and ask herself if she agrees. As for me, I put my first pet rat, Bernadette, way back in my book called There’s a Girl in My Hammerlock.
8.) Leo doesn’t say a word in Love, Stargirl, but we all know how important he is in Stargirl’s life. The book is, after all, one long letter to him! Therefore it’s no surprise that readers have a lot say about Leo, and about Stargirl’s feelings toward him. Why is Stargirl so consumed with Leo in the first place? He has let her down in the past, and some readers question why Stargirl’s attraction to Leo remains. Leo is flawed and sometimes weak, but he’s basically a good, sensitive kid who is willing to change for the better. Stargirl would not be attracted to anyone with fewer goods. On a more superficial level, remember early on what she said when Kevin asked her why Leo: “He’s cute.” Bottom line: she loves him. Love needs no reasons.
9.) Furthermore, many readers feel warmly towards Perry and the dynamic he shares with Stargirl. How come these two never get together? Well, they do get together—the kiss at Calendar Hill—long enough for Stargirl to discover that they don’t belong together. The magic, the love she experiences with Leo is not there with Perry. Chemistry. Love.
10.) Of course, Stargirl isn’t the only quirky character in Love, Stargirl. Dootsie, for example, is one unique little girl! What inspired this character? How did you decide her name? What is it about Stargirl that makes her content spending time with people who are not her peers, like Dootsie and Betty Lou? Stargirl is not an age bigot. She’s attracted to all interesting people, not age levels. She appreciates humanity in any color, size, nationality, age, whatever. Remember Archie said: “She’s an earthling if there ever was one.” As for Dootsie, I like her too. She’s not modeled after anyone in particular, though I do have a granddaughter who once declared, “I lie!” I forget where I came across the name, but I wrote it down on my list of cool names and waited for a chance to use it.
11.) Speaking of Betty Lou, why did Stargirl’s agoraphobic friend choose (finally) to step out of her house for the Solstice event? Why not when Stargirl was in the hospital, for instance? Though Stargirl was indeed in the hospital, her life was never in danger so Betty Lou’s worry level would have been fairly low. But noting that she arrives at the Solstice with Dootsie, I think we can assume that the persuasions of her little neighbor were more than she could resist.
12.) What gave you the idea to feature the Solstice in Love, Stargirl? Do you celebrate such events in nature? I love astronomy, and the Solstice is an astronomical event. Beyond that, when Eileen first suggested I write a little holiday gift-type book about Stargirl, an early thought was to focus it on Christmas. From there it was a short step to swing that focus to something less specifically religious and more broadly natural. Stargirl and Solstice felt like the right match.
13.) Why did you write Love, Stargirl in the form of a letter? Did you consider writing it in other ways? What makes the letter format work so well for this sequel? What challenges did you encounter as you wrote from this point of view? Since, referring back to the first answer, I could not have Stargirl and Leo physically interact, I thought a letter/journal format would be the next best way to bring them “together.” I added imagined conversations between Stargirl and Leo to further promote a sense of real-time interaction. Of course, when you tell any story in first person, you’re limited to what your narrator knows and sees.
14.) Stargirl fans certainly aspire to live like their heroine, as evidenced by the countless Stargirl Societies around the country. Do you believe that Stargirl could really exist today? Could she fit in at a “normal” high school? Not only could Stargirl exist today—she does exist. She may not resemble Susan Caraway point by point, but across the country and the world, girls with her spirit and heart and humanity dance and laugh and love among us all. As for fitting in, maybe the question should be, Could a “normal” school fit in with Stargirl?
15.) Readers are particularly interested in the concept of homeschooling. What is your experience with homeschooling? Do you know anybody who has been homeschooled? How do you think being homeschooled shapes Stargirl’s personality? Judging by Stargirl’s homeschool curriculum as noted in Love, Stargirl, it’s hard not to conclude that her parentally provided education does contribute in some measure to the kind of person she is. Our daughter-in-law, Marina, homeschools five of our grandchildren.
16.) In general, how do you create your characters? Do you have fully formed visions in your head when you start a book, or do characters evolve as you write? To what extent do you base your characters on real people? We’re impressed that you’re able to convey such complex, eccentric characters who still seem realistic. How do you accomplish this? Stargirl evolved over 30 years. Others may come overnight. It varies. I seldom try to transplant a whole, real person onto the page, but in one way or another, real people—often combinations of them—are always part of a character’s fabric. As for making them real, I simply report in detail the results of one of my favorite pastimes: people-watching.
17.) On the first page of the book, Stargirl says, “If I were in charge of calendars, every day would be January 1.” If you were in charge, what day would you like to celebrate more often? Fourth of July. I’d like to have it twice a year. I love fireworks and marching bands.
18.) And the question we’re hungry for you to answer (at least, for one of us!): What do you like on toast, Jerry Spinelli? What does your wife like on toast? What would Stargirl like on toast? Me:
blackberry jam
19.) Which of your books are you most proud of? Do your children or grandchildren have favorites? My personal favorite is my first published book: Space Station Seventh Grade. But “proud of” is a little different. For that I might say Maniac Magee. If the grandkids have particular favorites, they haven’t told me.
20.) How would you feel if Stargirl and Love, Stargirl were made into movies? Would you like to see that happen? Stargirl is already under option for film. Last month the announcement was on page one of Hollywood Reporter. And yes, I would like to see it happen, especially if it turns out to be good.
21.) What projects are you working on now? Do you plan on writing sequels to any of your other novels? No, I’m not planning any more sequels, which may answer part of the next question. Love, Stargirl will be in the bookstores in August. And it won’t be alone—also on the shelves will be a companion Stargirl Journal. In September, I’ll cross the country on a book tour for those two. In the spring, Smiles to Go will come out. And right now, I’m working on a nonfiction book co-authored with my wife and fellow writer, Eileen.
22.) Finally, will there be another Stargirl book? Will Leo and Stargirl be together again? Though there probably won’t be another Stargirl book, for a hint to what lies in the future for them, I refer you to the last page of Stargirl. Obviously, if Leo receives a porcupine necktie in the mail, Stargirl knows where he lives. We can assume she’s got an eye on him and that they are about to meet again.
Thanks to the following Teen Book Groups for participating! Bay-Arenac Community High School Book Group Essexville, MI Book Grub Upper Darby, PA Lake Hills Library High School Book Group Bellevue, WA St. Luke's Middle School Book Club San Antonio, TX
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