Stargirl (Stargirl, #1)

by Jerry Spinelli

ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME  •  NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A modern-day classic from Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli, this beloved celebration of individuality  is now an original movie on Disney+!

And don't miss the author's highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday!
Stargirl. 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.” She captures Leo Borlock’ s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first.

Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

Don’t miss the sequel, Love, Stargirl, as well as The Warden’s Daughter, a novel about another girl who can't help but stand out.
 
“Spinelli is a poet of the prepubescent. . . . No writer guides his young characters, and his readers, past these pitfalls and challenges and toward their futures with more compassion.” —The New York Times

• ISBN10: 037582233X
• ISBN13: 9780375822339
• Publish Date: 14 May 2002 (first published 8 August 2000)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 8 July 2022
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Ember
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 208
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780375822339

Reviews

[alindstadtcorbeax]

Soooo in middle school... prob 7th grade to like 9th grade My AIM screen name was Stargirl(some set of like 6 random ass numbers) lol. Enough said!

Can’t wait to read this again! Nostalgia here I come!

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 3.5 Stars

My daughter brought this book home many, many years ago, when she was in middle school, and I was curious. After seeing this book mentioned so many times by other bloggers, I finally gave it a go. Part of my thought of Stargirl as an early MPDG, but she also struck me as an older Pippi Longstocking. I loved her big heart, originality, and commitment to being herself. I found myself really disappointed in Leo, which was why I didn't go higher on the rating, but I am very curious to see where Spinelli goes with this story, and will be reading the next book.

[Pigpen.Reads]

This was a reread from many many years ago. I loved Stargirl, I had wished I could have been like her.

[Nicole Lynn]

I really loved this book. I read it all in one sitting. Stargirl the character filled me with smiles and joy! I think it was smart of Spinelli to write it from Leo's perspective. I enjoyed how readers got to see and experience Stargirl instead of being in her mind/POV, even if we were mainly seeing her from Leo's point of view. Spinelli's writing was spellbinding and I was glued to the pages. I really enjoyed his critique of popularity versus individuality and they way he was able to bring that discussion up through this story. While the ending might seem bittersweet I loved it and will definitely be seeking out more from Spinelli and Stargirl!

[Bianca]

She did it for you, you know. Gave up her self, for a while there. She loved you that much.