Stargirl on School Shelving!

I would argue that Stargirl is a perfect book for middle school readers. Though it's hard to add such a book that isn't going to capture a full audience, I believe the lessons to be learned throughout are perfectly appropriate for this age setting. If ever a time to learn such a lesson it is during middle school, where all of these ideas start to really snowball. We all have faced many a time the battle within to conform, or be ourselves. Always knowing the right thing to do, we don't necessarily base our decisions on that feeling. Stargirl is a perfect example of a Hero undefined to say the least. The perfect book to make you think about your future actions based on prior experience in these areas. A great lesson to be learned by all!

Heroism

Leo is a very interesting character in this book. As a reader, I find myself hoping all along that he will find the motivation to stand up for what he actually wants - Stargirl.  There are multiple occasions that Leo has the choice to defend Stargirl from the harsh judgments and actions of his and her peers, and he never chooses to.  In the end, Leo let's his desire to be accepted win over his attraction to Stargirl's carefree lifestyle.

Seeing Stargirl contrasted with Leo, in my mind, really makes Stargirl out to be a hero. The character of Leo really shows the struggle to step outside of the norm of your peer group - that's to say, it is not easy.  With Leo so clearly displaying this, and Stargirl being true to herself anyways, it is easy to count Stargirl a hero. 

I love this book for middle school students, because in my mind this is the age that students begin to form really individualized identities. I want to encourage my students to be 'heroic' and stand up for what they believe in. 

What a book!

There are so many things I wondered and though about when I sat down to read this book. I sat on the couch in my living rooms on one of the recent beautiful days and read through the entire book. it brought back fond memories I have as an adolescent doing the same thing and once again I found myself getting lost in the book.

While reading the description of Stargirl in the book and about her behavior, one may not connect her with the word hero. However, I believe she is a hero undefined. I know that she did many things that would horrify me. I consider myself a pretty confident person but could not imagine doing some of the things she did just because she was who she was.  In the society that young girls are growing up in, the fact that Stargirl was herself dispite what other people thought made her a hero. Even from the beginning of the story, I predicted that Stargirl would lose this quality of heroism in being herself when she joined the cheer leading squad but even that did not confine her to become like everyone else.


I believe girls of all ages can look to Stargirls behavior and be encouraged to be themselves and not worry about others thoughts or reactions.