Stargirl

Stargirl is a young adult fiction novel published in 2000 by the American author Jerry Spinelli. In a coming of age narrative, shy eleventh-grader Leo falls in love with Stargirl, a free-spirited newcomer at Mica High. When his fellow students turn against Stargirl—and Leo—he pressures her to become ordinary like everyone else. Over the course of the novel, Leo learns the importance of staying true to yourself. Spinelli explores themes of individuality, kindness, and the painful consequences of nonconformity. Stargirl won a Parents Choice Gold Award and an ALA Top Ten Best Books Award, in addition to being a New York Times Bestseller and Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year. Stargirl was adapted for film in 2020 as a Disney+ original movie.

This study guide refers to the 2002 edition published by Scholastic.

Plot Summary

Looking back from an adult perspective, first-person narrator Leo Borlock tells the story of his junior year in high school and the brief romantic relationship that changed his life. Leo and his family move to the small desert town of Mica, Arizona when he is 12. Now 16, Leo fits seamlessly into ordinary Mica High. Students there dress the same, listen to the same kind of music, and generally do not make waves. All that changes when tenth grader Stargirl arrives. In her long pioneer dresses, carrying a ukulele and accompanied by her pet rat, Cinnamon, Stargirl causes a stir. She serenades strangers on their birthdays and dances in the rain. Leo and the other students are incredulous, wondering if Stargirl is real or some kind of actress. Mean girl Hillari Kimble spreads unkind rumors about her, but Stargirl’s positive acts begin to soften students’ opinions. Captivated by Stargirl, Leo and his best friend, Kevin, ask their old paleontologist friend Archie about her.

Archie has known Stargirl for years; he helped her parents homeschool her. He assures Leo and Kevin that Stargirl is a unique individual, though Archie’s sage advice often confuses teenage Leo. Gradually, the students accept Stargirl and find the freedom to express their own individuality. They imitate her positivity and adopt her ways of showing small kindnesses. Stargirl joins the cheerleading squad and energizes the basketball team, blithely cheering when either team scores. As the basketball team begins winning for the first time, students see Stargirl’s inclusive cheers as treasonous. Leo and Kevin invite Stargirl to be a guest on their school television show, Hot Seat. On each episode, a jury of 12 students asks the guest personal, embarrassing questions. Led by Hillari, Stargirl’s jury turns into a critical, cruel mob. Though the rest of the school rejects Stargirl, Leo falls in love. Stargirl takes him to her enchanted place in the desert and includes Leo on her excursions to take anonymous gifts to those in need. Leo discovers that it was Stargirl who sent him a porcupine necktie when he was new in Mica.

As the other students shun Stargirl, Leo notices their silent treatment spill onto him. He tells Stargirl that something needs to change in their relationship. He explains why it is important to care what others think. Stargirl changes her name to her birth name, Susan, and tries to look and act like the other students. Leo is thrilled that she has become normal. But the other students do not accept Susan any more than they did Stargirl. Susan believes that when she wins the state oratorical competition, she will finally become popular. Susan handily wins the contest and imagines the cheering crowds that will celebrate her success, but only her steadfast friend, Dori Dilson, and a couple teachers congratulate her. Stargirl goes back to being her old, cheerful, eccentric self. Furious that Stargirl gave up on being normal, Leo detaches from their relationship.

Leo does not ask Stargirl to the spring Ocotillo Ball. Instead, Stargirl goes to the dance alone. She dances by herself until one brave, ordinary boy dances with her. Stargirl then leads most of the dancers in a joyful dance called the bunny hop. Hillari is furious that Stargirl once again captivated the students. Hillari slaps Stargirl, and Stargirl returns the insult with a kiss. Stargirl leaves the dance and is never seen again. According to Archie, Stargirl and her family moved away. Time passes, and Leo gets a job in the East. Kevin attends their high school reunions and reports that everyone still talks about Stargirl. Changes in the high school show that Stargirl had a lasting positive influence on the school’s culture. Leo continues to practice some of the small kindnesses he learned from Stargirl. He hopes that someday he will see her again; on his last birthday, he received another porcupine necktie.