In the high school of Mica, Arizona, everything is normal and uniform. Nobody stands out or goes above and beyond the expected average; that is, until she shows up at the first day of school for 10th grade. Nobody has ever seen or heard of her before. She just suddenly shows up with an ambitious spirit, a spring of unshakable confidence, a personal knowledge of people, and an encouraging attitude. Can she even be real? Her classmates believe she must have been planted in the school to stir up excitement and energy. She couldn't be real. She shouldn't be real because anything abnormal in their school won't last. The students of Mica High School set out to prove that their new classmate is actually a fraudulent and insignificant pretender. Her name is Stargirl, or at least that's what she says.
Leo, a boy as average as everybody else, is awe-stricken by her personality and shine. He sets out to become her friend and hopefully more, despite the unfriendliness of the rest of the school. Kevin, Leo's best friend since forever, decides to bring Stargirl as a guest on their “Hot Seat" show where the person in the hot seat must honestly answer various questions from the audience. Leo knows that an episode like this would only be an attempt to destroy her; however, Leo's pleading for her to be average could be unknowingly even more destructive to her. Is she actually real, or just someone who is acting-out a scheme? Nobody knows, but maybe they will after they learn all the facts. This exciting read is 186 pages, followed by some questions for discussion, pb.
A modern-day classic and New York Times bestseller that celebrates the power of individuality and personal expression from beloved Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli.
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.
