Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (September 2018)

 

Book Choice for Septenber 2018
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Chosen by Allison Hess

Summary...

A celebration of nonconformity; a tense, emotional tale about the fleeting, cruel nature of popularity--and the thrill and inspiration of first love. Ages 12+

Leo Borlock follows the unspoken rule at Mica Area High School: don't stand out--under any circumstances! Then Stargirl arrives at Mica High and everything changes--for Leo and for the entire school. After 15 years of home schooling, Stargirl bursts into tenth grade in an explosion of color and a clatter of ukulele music, enchanting the Mica student body.

But the delicate scales of popularity suddenly shift, and Stargirl is shunned for everything that makes her different. Somewhere in the midst of Stargirl's arrival and rise and fall, normal Leo Borlock has tumbled into love with her.

In a celebration of nonconformity, Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the fleeting, cruel nature of popularity--and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

Audiobook version of Stargirl, (No really, it's the picture of the cover of the sequel Love, Stargirl.  I had to check and make it was the right book).

 

Book Report Fan Made Book Trailer

 

 

 

Literature Circle Questions

 

Use the questions and activities that follow to get more out of the experience of

reading Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

1. When Stargirl arrives at Mica High School, people notive her. Name three ways

in which her appearance or behavior differs from that of other students.

2. By December first of the year, Stargirl has become the most popular person in

school. Describe what other students do to show admirations for her.

3. Think about the setting of the story, which takes place in an Arizona desert

community. Identify passages that help you “see” the plants, animals, terrain, and

climate in Leo’s town.

4. Archie is a mentor and friend to Leo and other kids in the neighborhoods. Cite

examples from the book that show how Archie helps one of the main characters.

5. Identify a character in the story who shows courage. Explain how the character is

brave.

6. What does Archie mean when he says, “When Stargirl cries, she does not shed

tears, but light”?

7. What questions would you ask Leo if you interviewed him as an adult?

8. Stargirl notices and cares about bad things that happen to other people but often

seems to be unaware of bad things that happen to herself. If she were to visit your

school today, what would she notice? What would she ignore? Give reasons for

your answers.

9. Over the course of the book, Leo changes. Compare and contrast Leo’s

appreciation of “little things” in life at the beginning of the novel and at the end.

10. When Archie and Leo drive out to the desert, Archie write a single word on a

scrap of paper and stuffs it in a hole. What do you think is written on the paper?

11. Create a new scene for the book in which the two discuss Archie’s message.

12. When Leo returns to Arizona after living in the East, someone else is living in

Archie’s house. Where, in your opinion, is Archie? How does that fit with

Archie’s view of the universe?

13. Toward the end of the book, Leo chooses membership in his peer group over his

affection for Stargirl. What is your opinion of Leo’s choice? Why?

14. Do you think Leo’s life is improved for having been involved with Stargirl? What

makes you say that?

Note: The following questions are keyed to Bloom’s Taxonomy: Knowledge: 1-3;

Comprehension: 4-6; Application 7-8; Analysis 9; Synthesis; 10-11; Evaluation 12-13.

 

Activities

  

1. Stargirl and Leo have fun playing a “greeting card” game: After reading an

advertisement on a bulletin board (“Odd Jobs-Ask for Mike”), they decide what

that person most needs and create a card, such as a Keep-your-chin up card.

Carefully observe a stranger for 10 minutes. Create a greeting card that he or she

needs.

2. Stargirl won the state’s public speaking contest. Prepare a short speech for an

oratorical contest on a topic such as Have the Courage to Be Yourself. Outline

your speech on note cards. Visualize yourself winning the contest. Then deliver

your speech to the group.

3. Create a time line of major events in Leo’s life, including his age at the time and

short description of the milestone. Project the time line into Leo’s future, after the

book has ended. Present your work to your group and discuss.