Now that he is on board we can begin to understand stargirl better. To eileen, my stargirl and to loren eiseley, who taught us that even as we are, we are becoming and to sonny liston page 3 of 3. Stargirl is a young adult novel by the writer jerry spinelli that was published in the year 2000. Definitions and examples of 301 literary terms and devices. Then, on page 87, leo describes the saguaro cacti, a recurring theme in the book. This prezi is about the book stargirl, this book is by. She did carry a large canvas bag with a lifesize sunflower painted on it. Do not come for me about accuracy to the book or movie because i wasnt trying to. Stargirl teaches leo the greeting card game on page 114. On page 40, leo discusses the frogs that sleep in the mud, waiting for the rain to come. Spinelli uses his young heroine to tackle the difficult adolescent issues of selfesteem, popularity, and friendship. It was unthinkable that stargirl could surviveor at least survive unchangedamong us. A detailed discussion of the writing styles running throughout stargirl stargirl including including. Filming for the movie version of stargirl took place in septembernovember 2018 in new mexico.
We can tell that throughout the book, the one character that stays consistent in stargirl s life is this rat. This lesson discusses the use of imagery in the book stargirl by jerry spinelli. Comprehension by chapter, vocabulary challenges, creative reading response activities and projects, tests, and much more. Discussion of themes and motifs in jerry spinellis stargirl.
The book i read was stargirl written by jerry spinelli. But by the end of the book, shes totally cool with who she is. A modernday classic and new york times bestseller from newbery medalist jerry spinelli. The novel takes the form of the worlds longest letter.
Not only do students follow the rigidly prescribed. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in stargirl, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. I think one of the themes, is to be who you are, and to not let others decide for you. She changed because she knew how important it the importance of knowing what is really important. It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner, an ala top ten best books for young adults award winner, and a publishers weekly best book of the year. The themes of love, stargirl include resilience, dealing with the fall out of a relationship, and learning to love ones new situation. It was a new york times bestseller, a parents choice gold award winner, an ala top ten best books for young adults award winner, and a publishers weekly.
Stargirl and dori dilson practice ukulele duets and become a very good singing duo. Stargirl movie tiein edition by jerry spinelli, paperback. Lets look at some quotes from the book about setting and theme. The book is narrated in the first person from the protagonists perspective and takes the form of many letters. The creators of sparknotes stargirl themes from litcharts. Porcupine necktie when i was little, my uncle pete had a necktie with a porcupine. The majority of the book takes place when he is sixteen.
Throughout the book, leo notices the fluctuations of the pebble wagon which is how the reader knows stargirls mood, otherwise stargirl would be portrayed as a happy character throughout the whole book. A vocabulary list featuring stargirl vocabulary list. If you teach the book stargirl, this resource will help you greatly. Jerry spinelli booklist jerry spinelli message board. Archie is a mentor and friend to leo and other kids in the neighborhoods. She sparks a schoolspirit revolution with just one cheer. The book pays homage to someone who means a great deal to the narrator, so what better title than her own, selfchosen name. Stargirl meditates in her enchanted place in the desert. In her relationship with leo, she couldnt really accept herself, because leo couldnt accept her. Here are some occurrences that contributed to the change. The most obvious theme is the careful look at conformity and how.
Few parents will have objections to the content, but there is one scene in particular where stargirl s peers verbally attack her on a television show. Jerry spinelli was jotting down some notes about an unusual person and that was how the book stargirl came out. Spinelli was already a celebrated childrens author by the time the book was written and it met with critical success, being lauded for its message of nonconformity. What examples of friendships do we see in this novel. Today, i am discussing stargirl because this book needs to be talked about.
A discussion of important themes running throughout stargirl. If you are looking for a novel about issues relevant to high schoolers, try reading jerry spinellis stargirl. Stargirl was published a couple of years after the april 1999, columbine high school shootings in colorado, in which 15 people were killed, most of them students. 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. They perform in the school courtyard, where theyre stubbornly ignored by everyone. In stargirl, we see a beautiful example of a real friendship between dori and stargirl. You just dont do things like that if you want to fit in. Jerry spinellis young adult novel stargirl highlights the kindhearted quirkiness of a high school girl who calls herself stargirl. Stargirl study guide from litcharts the creators of. Included in this novel study are prereading lessons and activities, vocabulary, chapter questions and discussion, journal writing prompts, character. If you have watched any of my recent book tag videos, you have heard me mention stargirl before. The most obvious theme is the careful look at conformity and how it limits us, making us latch onto false values and. What are some examples of conformity in the book stargirl. Stargirl, who chooses that name rather than be known by her given name.
Main character stargirl moved to mica and is new student who. What are some flashbacks in the book stargirl answers. Leo, the novels narrator, acknowledges from the beginning that his high school is not a bastion of individuality. Written by timothy sexton a celebration of nonconformity. Stargirl, who chooses that name rather than be known by her given name susan julia caraway decides not to fit in with the crowd at her new high school and elects to follow her own path instead. Throughout the book, stargirl joins a cheerleading team, meets leo, and heightens her popularity status at school. She tells leo that she tries to erase herself so she can feel the earth and universe speaking to her without her own senses getting in the way.
In this lesson, you will look at quotes from the book. Study guide book summary book notes plot synopsis chapter summary download notes. Jerry spinellis novel stargirl contains multiple themes as they concern relationships among people. In this lesson, you will learn about some of the themes. Fifteenyearold susan stargirl caraway longs for her boyfriend, leo borlock. Many people jump on the stargirl bandwagon on her rise to popularity, but these people are the first to jump off on her descent. Stargirl was not comfortable changing to being more like everyone else. Dori is loyal to stargirl before, during, and after she is popular in the book stargirl illustrates that having one try friend is better than having lots of croniesfriendship is about loyalty and love far more that about hang things in common. Stargirl project characterization reader log we predicted more when stargirl was being crazy.
One of the themes, or morals of this story is never judge a book by its cover. The most obvious theme is the careful look at conformity. Stargirl tries her hardest to remain true to herself, but with leos influence and harsh judgment she changes herself for a brief period of time. Stargirl knows that true love is all about acceptance. Although spinellis most direct inspiration for the character of stargirl was his wife, eileen, the novels emphasis on kindness and acceptance also brings to mind the sense of fear evoked by the columbine massacre and similar. Stargirl study guide from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. This study guide consists of approximately 40 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of stargirl. We can tell that throughout the book, the one character that stays consistent in stargirls life is this rat. Parents need to know that stargirl is a sort of supernatural character who is difficult to encapsulate, despite her classmates repeated attempts to pigeonhole her. Stargirl by jerry spinelli fits into more than one genre.
Evidence and inference topic 1 the students at mica high school have never known anyone like stargirl. Previous page table of contents next page downloadable printable version. The character of stargirl is probably the best illustration of conformity in the entire book. The complete study guide is currently available as a downloadable pdf, rtf, or ms word doc file from the pinkmonkey monkeynotes download store.
Free stargirl study unit worksheets for teachers to print. The book is the sequel to the new york times bestselling book, stargirl, and centers on the worlds longest letter in diary form. As the book takes a turn, she starts the lose friend after friend. Jerry spinellis novel stargirl, set in arizona, is told from the point of view of the narrator, leo, who is stargirl s boyfriend. From the day stargirl arrives at mica high in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with murmur of stargirl, stargirl. Leo and stargirl try to go about their lives, and pretend that the others dont matter. In her writing, stargirl mixes memories of her bittersweet time in mica, arizona, with involvements with new people in her life. The complete study guide contains summaries and notes for all of the chapters. Jerry spinellis novel stargirl, set in arizona, is told from the point of view of the. He tells us, every once in a while someone comes along who is a little more primitive than the rest of us, a little closer to our beginnings, a little more in touch with the stuff were made of 32. In love, stargirl, we hear the voice of stargirl herself as she reflects on time, life, leo, and of course love.
It is 82 pages of material to use before, during, and after reading the novel. Above all else, stargirl is an absolute celebration of the joy and even the necessity of nonconformity. What are some songs that relate to the book stargirl answers. Read on to explore the ways the author helped readers use all their senses to experience the story. A new girl, named stargirl carraway, appears at school the first day of his junior year. Cite examples from the book that show how archie helps one of the main characters. Things continue like this, getting more outrageous as the book continues, until the students rebel and the shunning begins. Stargirl is played by grace vanderwaal, winner of the 2016 season of americas got talent. Jerry spinelli is the author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including maniac magee, winner of the newbery medal, and stargirl, a new york times bestseller and an ala top ten best book for young adults. Examples of figurative language in the glass castle.
Jerry spinellis novel stargirl, set in arizona, is told from the point of view of the narrator, leo, who is stargirls boyfriend. In literature, setting is where a story takes place, and theme is an important message in a story. Stargirl was well received by critics, who praised stargirl s character and the novels overall message of nonconformity. He added interesting characters, such as, leo the quiet and shy one, stargirl unique and fun one, dori dilson stargirl only friend, archie the wise and elderly one, kevin leos friend that likes the stoplight, and hillari kimble the popular. I think its judgment because stargirl doesnt car how other people thinks about what she does and how she acts diffrently. Asked in onomatopoeia, stargirl what are some examples of. Prepare a short speech for an oratorical contest on a topic such as have the courage to be yourself.
It is one of those ya books that are relevant and replete with life lessons for all to learn, whether you can relate to the characters or not. Naiba book award for young children teachers guide stargirl overview background through the characters of leo and stargirl, author jerry spinelli shows the importance of accepting people for who they are. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. Few parents will have objections to the content, but there is one scene in particular where stargirls peers verbally attack her on a television show. Stargirl, who chooses that name rather than be known by her given name susan julia caraway decides not to fit in with the crowd at her new high school and elects to. The novel stargirl by jerry spinelli is told from the firstperson point of view of leo borlock.
The character in jerry spinellis novel stargirl who calls herself by that name. It is called stargirl because its focus is on this one character and the impact she has on leo our narrator. Leo is an average boy who is not popular, but not geeky, he goes to a school where everyone is basicly the same, where everyone tries to fit in. As the school became more familiar with stargirl, she became more popular.
Stargirl 2002 read online free book by jerry spinelli in. This meaning that no one should have judged star girl by the way she appeared or by the way of her being different. She stopped at an empty table, laid down her bag, slung the. Stargirl has a vision that shes going to win the speech contest which she does. The title stargirl emphasizes the fact that this is not a name she was born with. Leo realizes that the shunning is never going to end, and that he should be brave enough to show some public appreciation for stargirls individuality. Get an answer for what are some examples of conformity in the book stargirl.
In jerry spinellis stargirl, the small town setting gives the story context, and the high school setting makes the ideas and themes of the story come to life. The stargirl community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. Stargirl is about the conflict between conformity and individuality, about what happens when an utterly unique, couldntcarelesswhatothersthink character enters a closeminded, insular environment. Free stargirl worksheets and literature unit for teachers. Learn stargirl book with free interactive flashcards. Stargirl was another fantastic book jerry spinelli. The stargirl community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and. Stargirl quotes by jerry spinelli goodreads share book. Stargirl by jerry spinelli chapter 5 summary and analysis. She goes to funerals of people that she doesnt know. Choose from 15 different sets of stargirl book flashcards on quizlet. Include exact words from the book to support your answers along with the page number where the text can be found. She captures leo borlock s heart with just one smile. The theme of a novel is a message about life that is present in the story.
Her hair is the color of sand and falls to her shoulders. In the end, stargirl is grue to herself challenging status quo, proving the importance of being yourself, and showing leo what should form your identity you. But it was also clear that hillari kimble was at least half right. Judgment i think that the theme in stargirl is judgment. After dinner kevin and leo walked to archie brubakers place. The stargirl community note includes chapterbychapter summary and. Love, stargirl picks up a year after stargirl ends and reveals the new life of the beloved character who moved away so suddenly at the end of stargirl. Stargirl who was homeschooled, now goes to a school, where everyone is the same, with pretty much no differences, no individuality. Archie was a retired university professor who continued to teach informally. He added interesting characters, such as, leo the quiet and shy one, stargirl unique and fun one, dori dilson stargirl only friend, archie the wise and elderly one, kevin leos friend that likes the stoplight, and.
The character, archie brubaker, is a welcome addition to the book. Spinelli made his picture book debut with my daddy and me, a loving tribute to fathers and sons. Stargirl, a book by jerry spinelli, tells the story of a strange and mysterious girl who, for the first time, attends mica area high school in arizona. Jerry spinellis stargirl contains themes of individuality. If everyone had taken the time to fully understand her, like leo did, everyone would have realized the amazing person inside of her.