Stargirl by Jerry Speinelli
Chapters 1-3
Prediction: The narrator will meet Stargirl and find her to be weird and different. Everybody won't like her and neither will Leo at first. Kevin wants her on the Hot Seat so Leo has to ask her.
Imagine: Stargirl Caraway. The new unique girl in school who has everyone wondering.
Imagine: Stargirl dancing in the rain. One day it was raining so she stayed outside and danced in the ran while everyone else was inside watching.
Clarify:
-Stargirl is just being her unique self and is not afraid what people say about her. -Leo and his best friend Kevin run Hot Seat, which is a school TV show where they interview people. -Most people do not like Stargirl because she is being herself and not like everyone else. -Leo is smitten with Stargirl. -I think Leo is scared that everyone will hate on Stargirl if she is on the Hot Seat and that's why he won't ask her. |
Imagine: Cinnamon. Cinnamon is Stargirl's rat that goes everywhere with her.
Imagine: Porcupine Necktie. Moments earlier, on his birthday, he found a porcupine necktie on his front porch from anonymous.
Try:
-Why is Leo afraid to put Stargirl on the Hot Seat? -Why do some people think that Stargirl isn't real? -Did Stargirl really know that Leo was following her? -Does Leo like Stargirl? -Why doesn't Hillari like Stargirl? -Is Stargirl her real name? -How does she know all these birthdays and names? Use:
Rumors- There was a bunch of rumors going on about Stargirl if she is real or not, why she is so weird and etc. Rumors travel fast in Mica and also in any high school. I know in Paw Paw, rumors travel like wildfire. Rats- Stargirl has a rat called Cinnamon. In Psychology, we had to train rats and teach them a course to do. Bree, Alexis and I would train our rat every weekday and honestly Bree was the only one that liked that rat. |
Summary: It starts off with Leo getting a porcupine necktie as a gift on his front door from anonymous. Then it switches to his first day at school and everyone is buzzing about this new girl Stargirl. The narrator, Leo and everyone else think that she's not real because she is so unique and different. Then after a few days people realize she's here to stay and she wears really different clothes like a flapper dress. Every lunch she sings Happy Birthday and plays her ukulele to somebody that has a birthday. Kevin wants her on Hot Seat while Leo always makes up excuses on why he hasn't asked her yet. Leo thinks he might like her and stalks her when she walks home. Stargirl leads him into the desert and that's when he turns around.
Chapters 4-7
Prediction: People wonder more about Stargirl and why she does what she does. She makes a big scene that causes more popularity to come to her. Leo visits Archie's and he gives some good advice on Stargirl.
Imagine: Marching Band. When the marching band was performing in halftime of the football game, Stargirl was running around dancing on the field. She took the ball and ran with it and also climbed up the posts.
Imagine: Ukulele. Stargirl got out her ukulele because it was Hillari's birthday but Hillari doesn't want to be sung too.
Clarify:
-Wayne Parr is the "Grand Marshall" of the school and is Hillari's boyfriend. -I guess Mica's football team is pretty bad because normally nobody goes to the games. -Stargirl is officially crazy out on the football field running around with the ball and climbing up the field goal posts. -Stargirl is now apart of the cheerleading team... But why? -She does not change now that she is a cheerleader, she stay's herself. -Stargirl is now pretty popular because she is entertaining. -Instead of singing to Hillari for her birthday, she sings at Leo because she thinks that he is cute. -Archie was a paleontologist and the kids go to him for advice. |
Imagine: Wayne Parr. Wayne is Hillari's boyfriend and is gorgeous. He doesn't do anything but he wants to be a model as he said on the Hot Seat.
Imagine: Fossils and Bones. Kevin and Leo go to Archie's where he has a bunch of fossils all over the place.
Try:
-Why does everyone look up to Wayne when he does no sports or anything? -Why does Stargirl go out on the field and run around like that? -Do the cheerleaders have a scheme or did they really ask Stargirl to be on the team out of generosity? -Is Archie a good influence on the kids? -What does Archie mean by Stargirl is different? Good or Bad? -Are Leo and Kevin finally going to put Stargirl on the Hot Seat? Use:
Football Games- Well Paw Paw has certainly not have someone like Stargirl come and dance on the field but we usually have a pretty good turn out. Advice- Kevin and Leo go to Archie for advice and talk to him about stuff. My friends usually come to me or advice because for some reason I am good at giving out advice and listening. |
Summary: Wayne Parr is the "Grand Marshall" of the school and also Hillari's boyfriend. He was on the Hot Seat last year and is apparently gorgeous. Now back to the present, Kevin calls Leo up and tells him to come to the football game. Leo arrives and see's Stargirl dancing and running with the ball out on the field. Everyone comes to the next football game to watch Stargirl again but she doesn't show up. The cheer team invited Stargirl to be on their team and she says yes. She still stays herself and still sings to Hillari for her birthday by not directly singing to her. Instead she sang to Leo while standing by Hillari. Kevin and Leo visit Archie for advice on Stargirl. It turns out he knows a lot about her and gives them some good advice and riddles.
Chapters 8-11
Prediction: Kevin and Leo finally get her on the Hot Seat and it goes horribly wrong. Stargirl cheers at her first game and Leo figures out he really likes her. Stargirl will go the farthest in the oratorical contest.
Imagine: Cheer. Stargirl was a great cheerleader at the football games by climbing the posts and walking across it like a tightrope.
Imagine: New Bicycle. Stargirl gave a boy who just had a surgery and she attended his welcome home party.
Clarify:
-Hillari threatens the throw Cinnamon down the stairs and everyone stops her. -Stargirl has a new friend called Dori Dilson. -The oratorical is basically about public speaking and Stargirl is actually very good at it. -With Stargirl being here, everyone is starting to be themselves. She brought out everyone's confidence. -Archie says that this popularity doesn't happen for long. -Stargirl attends people's parties that she doesn't even know but is sincere and wants to be part of everyone's life. -Her popularity starts to decrease because of the funeral, Danny's welcome home party and the pledge of allegiance incident. -The cheerleaders don't like Stargirl when she cheer's for the other team so they pull a bad prank on her. They leave her in the others school's gym and leaves her so she has to ride home with the janitor hours later. |
Imagine: Flower on the desk. Everybody is copying Stargirl by putting flowers on their desks when they sit down.
Imagine: Basketball Court. It is basketball season now and Stargirl cheers for both teams.
Try:
-How is Stargirl this popular now? -Why would Hillari take her anger out on Cinnamon and threaten to hurt it? -Will Stargirl's popularity decrease as Archie says? Foreshadowing? -How will the Hot Seat go with Stargirl? -Why would Anna and her mom kick Stargirl out of the funeral? She was only trying to be sincere. -Why does Stargirl cheer when everyone scores, not just her school' team? -Why doesn't Stargirl confront the cheerleaders about the prank they pulled on her? Use:
Popularity- Stargirl's popularity fastly increased and is now slowing decreasing. There are always those few "popular" ones in every grade at every school. Everyone knows it and wants to be like them because they are apparently cool. |
Summary: Stargirl is now popular now because she became a cheerleader and has a following. Dori is a girl who sits with Stargirl and is her new friend. Leo and Kevin wonder why and how she became this popular. Stargirl also joins in this oratorical contest and does very good. But everything at the top has to come down. Her popularity slowly decreases because she cheers for everyone that scores, even the other team. She even gets kicked out of Anna's grandfather's funeral and says the pledge of allegiance wrong. So the cheerleaders pull a mean prank on her and leave her at the other school's gym. Stargirl has to get a ride home from the janitor but does not confront them the next day.
Chapters 12-14
Prediction: The day after the prank is the Hot Seat interview. I think it is going to go very, very bad and everyone is going to start hating her. But Stargirl and Leo's relationship grows into more than just a friendship? Well, let's see.
Imagine: The Hot Seat. Stargirl is now being interviewed for Leo and Kevin's school show.
Imagine: Tomato. A tomato gets thrown at Stargirl's face because she cheers for the other team in a important game.
Clarify:
-Stargirl is not nervous at all for this Hot Seat performance. -The Hot Seat crew knows exactly what to do and on the jury, of course, sits Hillari. -It starts off nice and funny with Stargirl making a joke but then it turns hostile. -People start asking offensive questions like why she does this and why she does that. -The teacher in there does not notice anything that is going on and Kevin tries to stop but Hillari goes off on Stargirl. -Stargirl still cheers for the other team and when Ron, from the other team, gets injured she goes out to help him. -People start to hate her and boo her. One person even goes too far and throws a tomato at her face. |
Imagine: An injured basketball player. Just when Mica was behind, the star player on the other team gets injured.
Imagine: Valentine's Day card. Leo finds a valentine's day card with I love you written in it in his notebook from Stargirl.
Try:
-Why does the jury start going off on Stargirl? -Why does Kevin do nothing to stop it earlier? Or the teacher? -Why do people hate Stargirl now? -Does Stargirl like Leo? -Why go as far as throwing a tomato at her? Use:
Valentine's Day- Leo got a valentines card from Stargirl and it said I Love You. In elementary, we used to get valentines cards from everyone and my best friend made some that said valentine's sayings. I think everyone gets a card for valentines day no matter what it says. |
Summary: It starts off with Stargirl's Hot Seat interview. Kevin and Leo and the crew get everything set up and ready. They start it and Stargirl starts off with a joke pretending the seat she was seating in was actually hot and her rat was running around. Leo and Mr. Robinson got it but everyone else did not and it was very awkward. The jury asked her questions and then it started to get offensive. They asked her mean questions and it was getting confrontational. Kevin and Leo did not know what to do so Mr. Robinson finally shut it down and threw out the recording. Basketball season was getting underway and the team was doing very good. Stargirl was still cheering and even cheered for everyone that scored. The students were starting to hate her so the cheerleaders pulled a prank on her and threw a tomato at her face.
Chapters 15-17
Prediction: People have more hatred for Stargirl and Leo and Stargirl's relationship grows. They start hanging out and having fun together. I think Leo will figure out that she is not as weird as she seems and talk to Archie more.
Imagine: Moonlight. Leo was thinking about Stargirl in his bed at night in the moonlight.
Imagine: Desert. The desert is Stargirl's enchanted place where she takes Leo.
Clarify:
-Stargirl was kicked off the cheer team. The cheerleaders did not like when she cheered for both teams. -Archie gives very good advice to listen to but it seems like Leo just blows it off. -Stargirl did know that Leo was following her into the desert. -He is beginning to like and get along with cinnamon and Stargirl. -Stargirl's enchanted place is a spot in the desert. There she likes to think and meditate. -Leo is thoughtful and picked up Cinnamon because he thought it was going to get eaten by another animal. -They walked home holding hands. |
Imagine: Playing with Cinnamon. When Leo followed Stargirl home, they were talking and Leo was playing with cinnamon.
Imagine: Holding Hands. When Leo and Stargirl walked home from the enchanted place, they were holding hands.
Try:
-Is Stargirl becoming normal? -Why did she not do anything weird at lunch time? -Why did Leo panic and walk away when Stargirl came up to his lunch table? -Did Stargirl find it weird that Leo was following her or showed up at her house? -Is Leo in love with Stargirl? -Why is Leo scared to be seen with Stargirl at school? -Are they a couple now? Use:
Meditating- Stargirl and Leo meditated at the enchanted place. Well Leo tried too but he could not make his mind quiet. In Psychology, we meditated once and it was very soothing. |
Summary: After Leo got the valentine's card from Stargirl, he went around asking other people if they got any that said the same thing. He figured out that no one else did and at lunch, Stargirl approached the table and Leo ran away. The following day she approached the table again and this time he wasn't a baby and said thank you for the card. Kevin made fun of him because Stargirl has a crush on Leo. But at night, Leo thinks about Stargirl and her card. Later on, he walks to her house and hides. Stargirl comes outside knowing that he is there and Cinnamon runs over to him. They talk and after awhile they leave. Leo is scared to see her in school because of the rumors s they meet after and she takes him to her enchanted place. The place is in the desert and they meditate. They walk home holding hands.
Chapters 18-23
Prediction: Stargirl's popularity decreases as time goes on. Leo becomes an outsider with her because they are in love and he is involved with Stargirl. Archie gives some advice to help Leo with the shunning situation. Stargirl and Leo hang out more and they learn more about each other.
Imagine: Tiny American Flag Pin. They were people watching and Stargirl saw this old man with this pin on.
Imagine: Purple Maricopas. In Archie's backyard, there was purple maricopas. They went back there in order in consult about the Stargirl problem.
Clarify:
-Since Leo is now with Stargirl, he is becoming more of himself but also is now an outsider. -Mostly all of the students hate Stargirl because they think she ruined their undefeated basketball season. -Leo probably values the students affection more than Stargirl's affection. -Oratorical: art or practice of public speaking. -Stargirl wants to have a job that makes people happy. -Stargirl gave Leo the porcupine necktie that showed up on his doorstep earlier in the book. -Stargirl reads the daily paper and looks at the bulletin boards to figure out all the birthdays and celebrations. -Archie has a good point on whose affection that matters the most to Leo. -I personally think that Leo shouldn't have to choose. He should deal with it and if he likes her then everyone should be happy and not care. |
Imagine: Congrats Balloons. Stargirl likes to give people balloons and cards when something happens to them and she makes it anonymous.
Imagine: Blue door. Stargirl and Leo were looking at everything and Stargirl saw a front door that was green and now blue.
Try:
-Why would people blame her for losing the basketball game when it was clearly not her fault? -Why are her parents normal and Stargirl isn't? -Why would Archie tell Leo to leave Stargirl? Was he joking? -Why aren't the students happy for Stargirl when she makes it in the state competition? -How does Stargirl know all of the birthdays and information? -Why are the students giving Leo the silent treatment now? -How did Stargirl end up how she is if her parents are normal? -Why was their first kiss not saintly? -Why does Leo have to choose between Stargirl and his classmates? Can't he have and talk to both? Use:
State Competition- Stargirl makes it into the state oratorical competition. Personally, I have never made it in to a state thing but I have gone to many state competition. I have gone to the past two state's for the cheer team. They are very intense and nerve wracking. |
Summary: Stargirl and Leo are a couple now. They don't notice anything but Stargirl is getting the silent treatment from everyone. She is because the students think her cheering on the other team caused them to lose. After Leo asks Kevin about the silent treatment, he feels it now and it starts to bother him. Leo has a talk with Archie about it and he brings up some pretty good points. Whose affection does he value more, hers or the others? Also, Stargirl is very, very good at the oratorical contest and makes it to state. Before state, Leo and Stargirl play this game of seeing things and point them out. They point out a blue door, a old man with a American flag pin and more. They also play a card game of sorts. Leo also figures out she gave him the porcupine necktie and every other gift people have received. Then it is time for Leo to meet the parents. They are pretty normal and all things go well, they even share their first kiss. But at school it is getting worse. They have started giving Leo the silent treatment now and he wants it to stop so he has to choose.
Chapters 24-26
Prediction: Leo is going to choose either Stargirl or the classmates. The state oratorical contest ill happen and I think she will win and the school will be happy for her. Also, Leo and Stargirl's relationship will take a turn for the worst.
Imagine: Stargirl's Sign. Stargirl put a sign on the school's bulletin that says Stargirl loves Leo.
Imagine: Two pebbles. There was only two pebbles left in her happy wagon when she is Susan.
Clarify:
-Leo does not like Stargirl's sign. He avoids her for the rest of the day. -Kevin is not a very good friend. He does not feel happy for Leo or give him good advice. -Leo tells Stargirl that she needs to change and tells her that nobody likes her. -Stargirl is now Susan. Susan wears designer clothes, makeup, nail polish and does not bring around her ukulele. -Susan does whatever everyone does. If someone doesn't like something then she doesn't. -Leo "helps" her and tells her when she is ding something weird. Like he told her that her laugh was to loud and long. |
Imagine: Normal Susan. Susan wears normal clothing now, Stargirl is gone.
Try:
-If Leo was happy that Stargirl loves him, then why avoid her? -Why would Leo knock Cinnamon to the ground? -Why would Leo ask Stargirl to change for him? Nobody should ask that to anybody. -Is Stargirl going to change for him? -Where did Stargirl go off to? -Why did she change into Susan? -Why does she think that everyone will like her if she wins state? Use:
Fitting In- Stargirl does not fit in with people and everyone thinks that she is weird. They do not talk to her. But that doesn't mean that she should become someone she is not. I remember in 3rd grade, I was new to Paw Paw and everyone was nice. I could be myself and I made friends pretty easy. It helped that I knew the soccer girls already because I played with them. Society- Leo is helping Stargirl fit in with the students and the society. Society decides what's on tend, what we should and what we shouldn't do. It is hard to go against it and be yourself. |
Summary: Stargirl puts a sign on the school's bulletin board and Leo hates it. He avoids her for the rest of the day until she comes up to him and they talk. Leo got really upset and knocked off cinnamon from his shoulder, from there he avoids her for a few days. They confront each other and Leo says that she has to change because nobody likes her. She vanishes and comes back a few days later as Susan. She wears designer clothes and makeup. They do normal couple things now but she's not completely changed. Leo still has to help her and tell her what she is doing wrong. The biggest thing is when Leo looks in her happy wagon there are only two pebbles. That's not good. But Susan thinks if she wins state she will get everyone to like her.
Chapters 27-29
Prediction: She won't do good at state because she is Susan and not Stargirl. Everyone will still not like her and Leo will have to choose between her and everyone else. Leo will not choose her.
Imagine: A Moa. When she was on the side of the road on their way to the contest, she thought she heard a moa.
Imagine: Silver Plate. When Susan won state, she got this huge winners silver plate.
Clarify:
-Susan invites Leo and Dori with her to the contest but Dori doesn't go because she doesn't like the new "Susan". -Susan is positive that she will win state. -Susan thinks she heard a Moa in the desert on their way to the contest and makes her whole new speech about that. -Before the final round, Susan doesn't even know what she is going to say in her speech yet. -Everyone is in love with her and her speech. Everyone but her classmates. When she goes home only 3 people are there to meet her, only 1 student. |
Imagine: Congrats Sign. Dori was the only one holding a sign and waiting for Stargirl when she go to the school from the contest.
Imagine: When Susan won state, TV reporters surrounded her trying to talk to her.
Try:
-Why aren't the students happy for Susan now that she won state? -Why did Susan perform a new speech? -How is she so calm performing her speech? -Why does Dori not go wit her a first, but is there with a sign in the end? -What is going to happen next? Is she going to continue being Susan? Use:
Getting Your Hopes Up- Susan got her hopes up when she came home o only 3 people waiting for her. She thought everyone was going to be there cheering her on. I have gotten my hopes up a lot. One time, I thought and I knew I did really, really good on a test but I realized I did it all wrong. |
Summary: It is time for the state oratorical contest. Susan invites Dori and Leo but Dori says no because she doesn't like the way that Susan changed. They are on their way when Susan tells the driver to stop and she gets out to look out into the desert. She comes back into the car and swears she heard a moa but the driver thinks it was a mocking jay. They get to the hotel and go to bed. The next day, Susan performs a whole new speech in the first round. Then in the second round she performs a different one too about the moa and Archie. Of course, she wins the big silver plate and they head home. Susan thinks everyone is going to be there cheering her on but when they get to the school there are only 3 people.
Chapters 30-31
Prediction: She will turn back into Stargirl and leave Leo. Leo will be heartbroken but realize his mistakes and figure out he just lost the best girl ever. He will turn to Archie for some advice.
Imagine: Stargirl is back to normal and she handed out cookies in the lunch room.
Imagine: The Bunny Hop. At the ball, Stargirl started the bunny hop and mostly everyone went along with it.
Use:
Dances- Many high schools have dances or ball's. Stargirl and the students attended the Ocotillo Ball and they danced while having fun. I have been to few dances in my lifetime. I went to some of the middle school dances and my freshman year formal. The middle school dances were filled with drama. Dances and formals are just not my thing. |
Imagine: Stargirl's Dress. Stargirl wore a dress like this to the Ocotillo Ball.
Clarify:
-After the bus stops, Susan can't say anything. She even drops the plate and her parents take her away. -The next day, Stargirl appears! She is back to normal and is doing her thing. -I think she realized that not everyone is going to like her so why not be yourself. -She knows that Leo won't ask her to the ball and she is fine with it. She still goes. But Leo doesn't. -Raymond breaks the ice and dances with Stargirl. That starts a phenomenon. -Everybody joins Stargirl in the Bunny Hop but of course Wayne and Hillari. -Hillari slaps Stargirl across the face and Stargirl responds by giving her a peck on the cheek. Then she leaves. Never to be seen again. Try:
-Why doesn't Leo try and talk or hang out with Stargirl anymore? -Why won't Leo go up to Stargirl and be different with her -Why is Leo not taking Stargirl to the ball? -Is Stargirl really okay not going to the ball with Leo? -Why is everyone being so nice to Stargirl all of a sudden? -Why did Hillari slap Stargirl? -Why didn't Stargirl slap or push Hillari back? |
Summary: After the coming home incident, Susan reappeared as Stargirl. She started off by handing out cookies at lunch and Leo was confused. So Leo talks to her and she says that she's given up. She does not want to be "popular", she just wants to be herself. Stargirl even knows that Leo won't take her to the ball and I guess she is okay with that. But the students still don't like her. The Ocotillo Ball comes around and Leo doesn't go in but stalks from afar. Stargirl shows up in this magnificent, royal dress. She was always on the dance floor and even Raymond starts dancing with her. then the bunny hop comes on and she is in front of the line. She carries the line in and out of the floor and even out on he golf course. When she comes back Hillari slaps her across the face and Stargirl responds by pecking her on the cheek and leaving. And that was the last time Leo and everyone saw Stargirl.
Chapter 32-More Than Stars
Prediction: Well, Stargirl will send a letter to Leo explaining everything. Leo will go on with his life still wondering about Stargirl like where she is and what even happened. Leo will also talk with Archie about the whole situation.
Imagine: Stargirl's Office. Archie's toolshed was Stargirl's office. He showed it to Leo right before he left for college.
Clarify:
-Leo is still not over Stargirl. She has had a big influence on him. -So really, Stargirl was connected. She was connected to the past by being sincere and not caring about what people think about her. -The toolshed was like her bedroom. She kept everything from files about people to crafts. -Archie buries Barney and a piece of paper in the desert with no reason. -Every place of Stargirl's is now gone: the enchanted place, her toolshed and more. -Stargirl has had a big influence on everyone and the school. They have a club called the sunflowers where they have to do one nice thing a day. Also, the student section cheers for the first point the opposing team scores in the basketball games. -Stargirl has also influenced Leo because he reads the fillers, drops loose change on the ground, listens for mocking jays and more. He still wonders where she is out there. |
Imagine: Sunflowers. When Leo is a adult, he hears from Kevin that back at their old school they have a club called the sunflowers. It takes after Stargirl.
Try:
-Where did Stargirl go? -Why did Leo never go out and search for Stargirl? -Are Archie and Leo ever going to figure out Stargirl? -Are there other "star people" out there? -What word was on the paper that Archie buried? -Does Leo have a family out in the east now? -Why haven't Leo gone to any reunions? -Was the porcupine necktie from Stargirl? Use:
Influence- Stargirl influenced many people in this book. First, she influenced Leo and how he acts. Also, the school does stuff that involve what she did when she was there like the cheering and sunflowers. Being influenced could be a good or bad thing. Stargirl is a good influence and teachers people to be themselves and not care what people think. |
Summary: Nobody, not even Archie, knows where Stargirl went. Years pass, Leo and Archie still talk about her and try to figure her out. She is a star person: so different that no one can figure her out. Now it's time to for Leo t go to college and right before he gets to see Archie. Archie shows him his toolshed which was Stargirl's office. It has files on everyone with their likes and dislikes. Leo still goes home and see Archie once in awhile but now he is a set director and lives in the east. On one trip home, him and Archie go to bury Barney and this piece of paper in the desert. Older now, Leo hasn't gone to any reunions but is still in touch with Kevin. Kevin called him once and told him about his old school. There, they have a club based on Stargirl called the Sunflowers and the student cheers for the opposing team's first point. Stargirl has influenced Leo and he now drops loose change and more. He still wonders where she went and what she is dong now. But Later on his birthday, he got a porcupine necktie.
Plot Line
A.
-Leo never see's Stargirl again but she has influenced him in many ways. She has also influenced the school with the Sunflowers club and cheering for the opposing team's first point. But Leo still wonders about her and where she is. Later for his birthday, a porcupine necktie showed up on his doorstep.
- The setting is in Mica, Arizona. The narrator is Leo Borlock and he has a bestfriend called Kevin. On the first day of school, there is talk about a new girl named Stargirl.
- Leo finally see's Stargirl. He notices her crazy clothes and that she always brings around a ukulele.
- At lunch time she always sings happy birthday to the people with birthdays.
- We meet Hillari. Hillari and other students that that she is not real and that the school or government sent her here.
- Kevin and Leo decide that she would be perfect on their TV show, Hot Seat.
- Leo follows Stargirl on her way home but she leads him into the desert.
- Leo keeps making up excuses on why he hasn't asked Stargirl to be on Hot Seat. Leo is afraid it is going to go horribly wrong.
- On a Friday night, Kevin called up Leo telling him he needs to come to the football game. He goes and see's Stargirl dancing around the field with the marching band. Then she took the ball and ran with it, punted it and ran out of the stadium.
- The next Friday, the stadium was packed up Stargirl did not show up.
- Stargirl was asked to be a cheerleader. Which she said yes too.
- People want to be like her so everyone buys rats and ukulele's. But she has a true friend, Dori.
- Leo and Kevin go visit Archie for advice and to see if he knows about Stargirl.
- Hillari threatens to throw Cinnamon, Stargirl's rat down the stairs. She didn't but dropped it.
- Basketball season starts and Stargirl is still a cheerleader. She cheers for everyone who scores, even the opposing team. The cheerleaders and students don't like it.
- The cheerleaders pull a mean prank on Stargirl.
- The Hot Seat interview happens and it goes horribly wrong. People were saying rude comments and it never got aired.
- In another game, Ron the star player on the other team get's injured and Stargirl ran out there to help him.
- Student's think that she's a traitor, so in the next basketball game somebody throws a tomato at her.
- Leo found the valentine's card that Stargirl gave him. It said: I Love You.
- Stargirl was kicked off the cheer team because she was a traitor.
- Leo walks to Stargirl's house and she comes out so they talk. Leo plays with Cinnamon and they get to know each other.
- Stargirl brings Leo to her enchanted place and he learns how to meditate.
- Leo and Stargirl are a couple now but most of the students hate her. Leo starts to notice that everyone is giving Stargirl the silent treatment.
- Leo talks to Archie about Stargirl and the silent treatment.
- Stargirl competes in a Oratorical contest and makes it to state.
- Stargirl and Leo play a game about seeing things. They see a blue door and a old man with a American flag pin.
- Leo figures out that Stargirl is the person leaving the gifts and card's on peoples doorstep's. Stargirl gave him the porcupine necktie.
- Leo meets the parents and they share their first kiss. She also shows him her happy wagon in her room.
- Stargirl puts a poster on the school's bulletin board that says: Stargirl loves Leo. Leo hates it and avoids her for awhile.
- They confront each other. Leo tells Stargirl that nobody likes her and she has to change.
- Stargirl changes into Susan. Susan is normal and Leo helps her become likeable with the students. They start doing normal couple things but Stargirl's popularity still hasn't changed.
- Susan and Leo are on their way to the state competition and she thinks that everyone will be there at the school when she gets back because she won.
- Susan wins the state contest and comes home to only 3 people. Two teachers and Dori. She is shocked. She comes back the next day as Stargirl.
- Stargirl and Leo stopped talking when she realized that he wouldn't take her to the ball. Stargirl and Dori do their own thing like playing the ukulele.
- Leo doesn't go to the Ocotillo Ball but Stargirl does. She starts a bunny hop with everyone in it. But when it stops Hillari slaps her. Stargirl responds by pecking her on the cheek and leaving. Nobody saw her again.
- Leo is about to go to college so he visits Archie's. Archie shows him Stargirl's office which is his toolshed.
-Leo never see's Stargirl again but she has influenced him in many ways. She has also influenced the school with the Sunflowers club and cheering for the opposing team's first point. But Leo still wonders about her and where she is. Later for his birthday, a porcupine necktie showed up on his doorstep.
Characterization
Stargirl Caraway:
-Round/dynamic character because she encountered many conflicts and changed.
-New girl at Mica High School, used to be home schooled.
-10th grader.
-Real name is Susan. Susan comes out when Leo tells her to change, to be normal.
-Plays the ukulele and has a rat called Cinnamon.
-Likes to sing Happy Birthday to people and do nice things for people.
-Has an enchanted place out in the desert and her office is in Archie's tool shed.
-Loves to help people out and give people gifts.
-Likes to sing and dance around.
-Sincere, kind hearted, goofy, weird, sociable, confident.
-Likes to do her own thing.
-Students don't like her because she cheers for the other team and is weird.
-Her and Leo have a love interest until she turns into Susan and she becomes unhappy.
-Has a Happy Wagon that she puts pebbles in when she is happy and content.
-Moves away right after the Ocotillo Ball.
-Round/dynamic character because she encountered many conflicts and changed.
-New girl at Mica High School, used to be home schooled.
-10th grader.
-Real name is Susan. Susan comes out when Leo tells her to change, to be normal.
-Plays the ukulele and has a rat called Cinnamon.
-Likes to sing Happy Birthday to people and do nice things for people.
-Has an enchanted place out in the desert and her office is in Archie's tool shed.
-Loves to help people out and give people gifts.
-Likes to sing and dance around.
-Sincere, kind hearted, goofy, weird, sociable, confident.
-Likes to do her own thing.
-Students don't like her because she cheers for the other team and is weird.
-Her and Leo have a love interest until she turns into Susan and she becomes unhappy.
-Has a Happy Wagon that she puts pebbles in when she is happy and content.
-Moves away right after the Ocotillo Ball.
Leo Borlock:
-Round/dynamic because he encounters many conflicts and change by them.
-Narrator, protagonist.
-11th grader at Mica High School.
-His best friend is Kevin and they started the school TV show called the Hot Seat.
-Cares about what people think of him. Until Stargirl comes along.
-Falls in love with Stargirl even though everyone finds her different and strange.
-Feels betrayed because when he is with Stargirl, everyone starts giving him the silent treatment too.
-Tells Stargirl to change and she becomes Susan.
-Stargirl leaves Leo and he still has her tendencies when older.
-Influenced too easily, nice, cares about people.
-Round/dynamic because he encounters many conflicts and change by them.
-Narrator, protagonist.
-11th grader at Mica High School.
-His best friend is Kevin and they started the school TV show called the Hot Seat.
-Cares about what people think of him. Until Stargirl comes along.
-Falls in love with Stargirl even though everyone finds her different and strange.
-Feels betrayed because when he is with Stargirl, everyone starts giving him the silent treatment too.
-Tells Stargirl to change and she becomes Susan.
-Stargirl leaves Leo and he still has her tendencies when older.
-Influenced too easily, nice, cares about people.
Kevin:
-Flat character
-11th grader at Mica High School.
-Host of Hot Seat.
-Leo's best friend.
-Doesn't really help Leo out with his problems.
-Doesn't seem like a type of friend to go to when you need advice.
-Bad mouths Stargirl and thinks she is a nutcase.
-When older, has a family and still lives in Mica.
-Flat character
-11th grader at Mica High School.
-Host of Hot Seat.
-Leo's best friend.
-Doesn't really help Leo out with his problems.
-Doesn't seem like a type of friend to go to when you need advice.
-Bad mouths Stargirl and thinks she is a nutcase.
-When older, has a family and still lives in Mica.
Archie:
-Static character
-Retired paleontologist that lives in Mica.
-The go to person for advice.
-Teaches on Saturdays to kids that come to his house.
-Leo comes to him for advice about Stargirl and their problems.
-Knows Stargirl personally, her office is his toolshed.
-Him and Leo try to figure Stargirl out but he decides that she is just one of those people who are so different and can't be figured out.
-Leo still visits him often.
-Crazy, intelligent, strange eccentric.
-Static character
-Retired paleontologist that lives in Mica.
-The go to person for advice.
-Teaches on Saturdays to kids that come to his house.
-Leo comes to him for advice about Stargirl and their problems.
-Knows Stargirl personally, her office is his toolshed.
-Him and Leo try to figure Stargirl out but he decides that she is just one of those people who are so different and can't be figured out.
-Leo still visits him often.
-Crazy, intelligent, strange eccentric.
Themes and Motifs
Themes:
Identity with Society: There was a lack of identity in this book. Leo was himself but also was influenced by the other students. He really was himself with Stargirl. Now Stargirl changed throughout the book. Stargirl changed to Susan and then back to Stargirl. Stargirl is who she really is and she only changes because the society doesn't like her. In reality, the society picks what we should wear and how we should act. But Stargirl was defying the rules and just being herself.
Love: What good book doesn't have romance in it? Leo and Stargirl fell in love. They both were head over heels when all of a sudden Leo figures out that people don't like her. Then he falls out of it because she doesn't fit in to the society's standards. But there is also Stargirl's love in everybody. She is so sincere and cares about what is around her. She gives people anonymous gifts and sings Happy Birthday to people who are getting older. She wants to brighten people's days.
Cliques: In high school, everyone wants to fit in and belong somewhere. There is always the popular group that everyone wants to join and be apart of. Students hate her because she doesn't belong so they start making fun of her and give her the silent treatment. But Stargirl doesn't care and that's what most people should be like.
Identity with Society: There was a lack of identity in this book. Leo was himself but also was influenced by the other students. He really was himself with Stargirl. Now Stargirl changed throughout the book. Stargirl changed to Susan and then back to Stargirl. Stargirl is who she really is and she only changes because the society doesn't like her. In reality, the society picks what we should wear and how we should act. But Stargirl was defying the rules and just being herself.
Love: What good book doesn't have romance in it? Leo and Stargirl fell in love. They both were head over heels when all of a sudden Leo figures out that people don't like her. Then he falls out of it because she doesn't fit in to the society's standards. But there is also Stargirl's love in everybody. She is so sincere and cares about what is around her. She gives people anonymous gifts and sings Happy Birthday to people who are getting older. She wants to brighten people's days.
Cliques: In high school, everyone wants to fit in and belong somewhere. There is always the popular group that everyone wants to join and be apart of. Students hate her because she doesn't belong so they start making fun of her and give her the silent treatment. But Stargirl doesn't care and that's what most people should be like.
Motifs:
Ukulele: Is a sense of individuality. Stargirl brings it around with her because she likes it and nobody else carries it around with them. She is unique and don't care what people think about her. It also makes her happy because when she plays it she wants to make other people happy and make their day.
Importance of Being Yourself: In the book, there are many times where it shows being yourself is important. With Archie's advice and just having Stargirl be herself. Especially at the ball, everyone gets out of their shells and go dancing with her.
Ukulele: Is a sense of individuality. Stargirl brings it around with her because she likes it and nobody else carries it around with them. She is unique and don't care what people think about her. It also makes her happy because when she plays it she wants to make other people happy and make their day.
Importance of Being Yourself: In the book, there are many times where it shows being yourself is important. With Archie's advice and just having Stargirl be herself. Especially at the ball, everyone gets out of their shells and go dancing with her.
Mood and Tone
Mood:
Depressing: I thought the book was depressing when Stargirl turned into Susan. Stargirl is adventurous and people should not make fun of her or hate her when she does her own thing. She has more guts than anybody and people were still putting her down. Angry: I was also mad throughout the book because nobody should tell a person to change like Leo did to Stargirl. Everyone should be there selves and people who ruin that are rude. The other students and Hillari were also making me angry because they hated on Stargirl. Hopeful: Although I was angry and depressed throughout the book, I was also hopeful. I was hopeful that Leo and Stargirl would eventually work out. That Leo would finally not care what people think about him and put his feelings first. |
Tone
Cheerful: Jerry makes this book cheerful because he focuses on all of Stargirl's positive traits. He makes the readers respect her and wan to be like her. He points out the nice things that she does for people like the surprise gifts and leaving loose change on the ground. Funny: Jerry wants us to laugh at the funny parts. Just like when Stargirl ran out on to the field and took the ball. Also make our day better when Stargirl helps people out and cheers for the other team. Feel Bad: Jerry wants you to feel bad for Stargirl. She was just being herself and people hate her for it. Also, when Leo told her to change you should get mad. I know I felt bad for Stargirl because she just couldn't be herself without getting made fun of. |
Symbols:
Silver Plate: The plate is a symbol of the fall of Susan. Susan is normal and just wants to fit in. On their way to the competition, all Susan could talk about was winning the plate and coming back to a bunch of people waiting for her. She wins, of course, and comes back to find only 3 people waiting for her. She is s shocked that she dropped the plate and doesn't move. Susan's dad gives Leo the plate and they leave. Stargirl is back the next day. The plate shows the plans of fitting in failing.
Moa/Birds: The moa and the mocking jay are a symbols of Susan letting her Stargirl persona go. On their way to the competition, she told the driver to stop and she went outside o hear the birds. She swore she heard a moa but the driver told her they were very rare and most were killed off by humans. The mocking jay must of copied the moa call. The huge moa's were killed off and so was Stargirl. Also the mocking jay symbolizes Susan because she is copying all the "popular" people now just like the bird did with the Moa.
Stargirl: I think Stargirl is a symbol in itself. It symbolizes someone who is not afraid to stand out in the crowd and do it's own thing. The star people, as Archie was saying, were so different because they could not be figured out. Star in Stargirl means that she is unique and she is confident in herself.
Moa/Birds: The moa and the mocking jay are a symbols of Susan letting her Stargirl persona go. On their way to the competition, she told the driver to stop and she went outside o hear the birds. She swore she heard a moa but the driver told her they were very rare and most were killed off by humans. The mocking jay must of copied the moa call. The huge moa's were killed off and so was Stargirl. Also the mocking jay symbolizes Susan because she is copying all the "popular" people now just like the bird did with the Moa.
Stargirl: I think Stargirl is a symbol in itself. It symbolizes someone who is not afraid to stand out in the crowd and do it's own thing. The star people, as Archie was saying, were so different because they could not be figured out. Star in Stargirl means that she is unique and she is confident in herself.