Stargirl
Spinelli
Chapter 1-3
P- I predict that Leo will end up developing feelings for Stargirl.
P- I think that Stargirl is not a plant, as Hillari Kimble suggested, rather that she has something strange about her home that causes her to act the way she does.
I- I imagine Stargirl wearing her strange and unusual clothing to school.
I- I picture the rat that Stargirl carries around with her at all times in her purse.
C- Stargirl is a new girl in the school who carries around a ukulele and a canvas bag.
C- Leo and his friend Kevin have a show at their high school called "Hot Seat" where they interview notable students at their high school. They plan on interviewing Stargirl for their show.
C- Hillari Kimble thinks that Stargirl is a "plant", meaning that she is an actress that the school hired to come and shake things up, hoping to stir up the students enough to get them to join clubs and stop making out in the library.
T- Why does Stargirl act the way she does?
U- I can tell already that Stargirl is kind of a strange person, as she broke out singing in the cafeteria on her first day.
R- A new, strange girl arrives at the Mica area High School, and she instantly garners a lot of attention. Leo and Kevin run a school TV show called "The Hot Seat", where the boys interview students around the school. Kevin wants to have Stargirl be on the show, but for some reason, Leo does not want her to be a part of it. Leo decides to follow Stargirl after school.
P- I predict that Leo will end up developing feelings for Stargirl.
P- I think that Stargirl is not a plant, as Hillari Kimble suggested, rather that she has something strange about her home that causes her to act the way she does.
I- I imagine Stargirl wearing her strange and unusual clothing to school.
I- I picture the rat that Stargirl carries around with her at all times in her purse.
C- Stargirl is a new girl in the school who carries around a ukulele and a canvas bag.
C- Leo and his friend Kevin have a show at their high school called "Hot Seat" where they interview notable students at their high school. They plan on interviewing Stargirl for their show.
C- Hillari Kimble thinks that Stargirl is a "plant", meaning that she is an actress that the school hired to come and shake things up, hoping to stir up the students enough to get them to join clubs and stop making out in the library.
T- Why does Stargirl act the way she does?
U- I can tell already that Stargirl is kind of a strange person, as she broke out singing in the cafeteria on her first day.
R- A new, strange girl arrives at the Mica area High School, and she instantly garners a lot of attention. Leo and Kevin run a school TV show called "The Hot Seat", where the boys interview students around the school. Kevin wants to have Stargirl be on the show, but for some reason, Leo does not want her to be a part of it. Leo decides to follow Stargirl after school.
Chapter 4-7
P- I predict that Leo will be forced to return home before he is able to discover just where exactly Stargirl is going.
P- I predict that once Stargirl becomes part of the cheer team, she will change and become like one of them.
P- I think that even though Hillari Kimble told Stargirl not to sing happy birthday to her, she is going t anyway because she will think that Hillari needs it.
I- I picture Stargirl running around and dancing on the football field.
I- I imagine Stargirl singing Hillari's happy birthday song to Leo.
I- I picture the huge cactus Sagauro.
C- Stargirl went out on the field and danced with the band, warmed up with the football team, and she took the ball and punted it away.
C- All of the students are afraid to make noise for the fear that they might miss what is going to happen between Stargirl and Hillari.
T- Why is there such little attendance to the football games in Mica?
T- Why did Stargirl pick Leo to sing Hillari's happy birthday song to?
U- To me, Stargirl is almost a bit misguided, like a young child. She wants to do the right thing and make people happy, but in the end she comes off as strange and almost a bit annoying. Clearly to Hillari she is one of the worst things to ever happen to Mica High School, even though Stargirl has done nothing to provoke the harsh feelings.
R- At a football game, Stargirl dances around with the band, warms up with the football team, and then takes the football and punts it away. She is asked to be part of the cheerleading squad, and presumably says yes. Stargirl sings Hillari Kimble's happy birthday to Leo instead of Hillari, and when Kevin asks why she chose Leo, she responds with "He's cute". Leo and Kevin go to see Archie at his house. They talk to him about Stargirl and the go to visit Senor Saguaro.
P- I predict that Leo will be forced to return home before he is able to discover just where exactly Stargirl is going.
P- I predict that once Stargirl becomes part of the cheer team, she will change and become like one of them.
P- I think that even though Hillari Kimble told Stargirl not to sing happy birthday to her, she is going t anyway because she will think that Hillari needs it.
I- I picture Stargirl running around and dancing on the football field.
I- I imagine Stargirl singing Hillari's happy birthday song to Leo.
I- I picture the huge cactus Sagauro.
C- Stargirl went out on the field and danced with the band, warmed up with the football team, and she took the ball and punted it away.
C- All of the students are afraid to make noise for the fear that they might miss what is going to happen between Stargirl and Hillari.
T- Why is there such little attendance to the football games in Mica?
T- Why did Stargirl pick Leo to sing Hillari's happy birthday song to?
U- To me, Stargirl is almost a bit misguided, like a young child. She wants to do the right thing and make people happy, but in the end she comes off as strange and almost a bit annoying. Clearly to Hillari she is one of the worst things to ever happen to Mica High School, even though Stargirl has done nothing to provoke the harsh feelings.
R- At a football game, Stargirl dances around with the band, warms up with the football team, and then takes the football and punts it away. She is asked to be part of the cheerleading squad, and presumably says yes. Stargirl sings Hillari Kimble's happy birthday to Leo instead of Hillari, and when Kevin asks why she chose Leo, she responds with "He's cute". Leo and Kevin go to see Archie at his house. They talk to him about Stargirl and the go to visit Senor Saguaro.
Chapter 8-11
P- I predict that Stargirl’s popularity will start to fade over time.
P- I infer that Stargirl is going to do something bad at one of the basketball games.
P- Based on Leo’s blatant foreshadowing, I am going to guess that he and Stargirl will have done something to stop the eruption of individuality at the High School.
I- I picture Stargirl running around and cheering in different and strange places that don’t usually get any attention from the cheerleaders.
C- Stargirl has become very popular, but Leo does not know why exactly that is. She is the reason that the football games have been getting so much attendance.
C- Hillari Kimble was holding Stargirl’s rat Cinnamon above a stairwell, threatening to drop it. She only dropped it to the stair below Hillari, so it was okay.
C- The students at Mica High School have begun to imitate Stargirl and her habits.
T- Why was Leo so surprised that Stargirl said yes to The Hot Seat?
T- Why was the mother so mean to Stargirl for showing support at the funeral?
U- I think that when Leo was talking about the mud frogs and said “we mud frogs”, he meant that the students were like the frogs in the way that they were awakening out of a deep sleep and becoming active again, but instead of the reason being rain, their reason is Stargirl.
U- I think that Stargirl is going to lose her popularity because she is overextending her kindness and generosity towards others. When she got yelled at at the funeral, I think that it marked the down slide of her reputation.
R- Stargirl makes the football games extremely popular at Mica Area High School, and the students have adopted a new persona. Stargirl begins to have some bad moments where she makes some people angry, but Leo informs us that those things had no immediate effect on her school popularity. At the basketball games, Stargirl cheers for every single point scored, and it upsets the hordes of fans of the undefeated team. She is left at an away game and the cheerleaders tell her it was an accident even though it was not.
P- I predict that Stargirl’s popularity will start to fade over time.
P- I infer that Stargirl is going to do something bad at one of the basketball games.
P- Based on Leo’s blatant foreshadowing, I am going to guess that he and Stargirl will have done something to stop the eruption of individuality at the High School.
I- I picture Stargirl running around and cheering in different and strange places that don’t usually get any attention from the cheerleaders.
C- Stargirl has become very popular, but Leo does not know why exactly that is. She is the reason that the football games have been getting so much attendance.
C- Hillari Kimble was holding Stargirl’s rat Cinnamon above a stairwell, threatening to drop it. She only dropped it to the stair below Hillari, so it was okay.
C- The students at Mica High School have begun to imitate Stargirl and her habits.
T- Why was Leo so surprised that Stargirl said yes to The Hot Seat?
T- Why was the mother so mean to Stargirl for showing support at the funeral?
U- I think that when Leo was talking about the mud frogs and said “we mud frogs”, he meant that the students were like the frogs in the way that they were awakening out of a deep sleep and becoming active again, but instead of the reason being rain, their reason is Stargirl.
U- I think that Stargirl is going to lose her popularity because she is overextending her kindness and generosity towards others. When she got yelled at at the funeral, I think that it marked the down slide of her reputation.
R- Stargirl makes the football games extremely popular at Mica Area High School, and the students have adopted a new persona. Stargirl begins to have some bad moments where she makes some people angry, but Leo informs us that those things had no immediate effect on her school popularity. At the basketball games, Stargirl cheers for every single point scored, and it upsets the hordes of fans of the undefeated team. She is left at an away game and the cheerleaders tell her it was an accident even though it was not.
Chapter 12-14
P- Something very bad is about to happen on the show. I am going to guess that it will have something to do with Hillari Kimble asking a bad question.
P- I think that Stargirl will break down crying because of all the pressure the jury is putting her under.
I- I picture the actual hot seat itself, with the flames painted on the side.
I- I imagine the tears on the cheerleaders' faces as they cheered empty cheers because they were going to lose their first game of the year.
C- The Hot Seat is about one student being asked semi-uncomfortable questions before a camera and a group of their peers.
C- In the month prior to Stargirl's appearance on The Hot Seat, Stargirl's popularity had wavered.
T- Why did Stargirl's massive popularity suddenly fade into nothing?
T- Why do the students suddenly have so much hostility toward Stargirl?
U- I think that this is going to be a major turning point for the book. Stargirl is learning what people truly think of her, and while I don't think this will effect the way that she is, I think that it will effect the way that everyone else in Mica thinks about Stargirl.
U- I think that the reason the team did not do as well may be connected to Stargirl not being there to cheer everyone on. She seemed to have given life to the team even though they did not necessarily appreciate her being there.
R- The Hot Seat episode goes awry and Stargirl is yelled at and verbally abused by the jury, causing the teacher to destroy the tape and make sure that it did not get aired. At the district basketball tournament, Stargirl helps a boy who got hurt, and follows him out on a stretcher to the ambulance. At the next game, the Electrons were going to lose but she kept cheering. She is struck in the face with a tomato.
P- Something very bad is about to happen on the show. I am going to guess that it will have something to do with Hillari Kimble asking a bad question.
P- I think that Stargirl will break down crying because of all the pressure the jury is putting her under.
I- I picture the actual hot seat itself, with the flames painted on the side.
I- I imagine the tears on the cheerleaders' faces as they cheered empty cheers because they were going to lose their first game of the year.
C- The Hot Seat is about one student being asked semi-uncomfortable questions before a camera and a group of their peers.
C- In the month prior to Stargirl's appearance on The Hot Seat, Stargirl's popularity had wavered.
T- Why did Stargirl's massive popularity suddenly fade into nothing?
T- Why do the students suddenly have so much hostility toward Stargirl?
U- I think that this is going to be a major turning point for the book. Stargirl is learning what people truly think of her, and while I don't think this will effect the way that she is, I think that it will effect the way that everyone else in Mica thinks about Stargirl.
U- I think that the reason the team did not do as well may be connected to Stargirl not being there to cheer everyone on. She seemed to have given life to the team even though they did not necessarily appreciate her being there.
R- The Hot Seat episode goes awry and Stargirl is yelled at and verbally abused by the jury, causing the teacher to destroy the tape and make sure that it did not get aired. At the district basketball tournament, Stargirl helps a boy who got hurt, and follows him out on a stretcher to the ambulance. At the next game, the Electrons were going to lose but she kept cheering. She is struck in the face with a tomato.
Chapter 15-17
P- I predict that Stargirl will end up revealing that she likes Leo.
P- I infer that Stargirl and Leo will have an awkward confrontation and some details about her will be revealed.
I- I picture Stargirl's ordinary house- adobe colored with pipetile roofing.
I- I picture Cinnamon the rat climbing all over Leo.
C- Leo is nervous to tell Kevin that he got the card from Stargirl because he does not know whether or not everyone got a card form her.
C- Kevin has now realized that Leo is afraid of talking to Stargirl because he knows that Stargirl likes him.
C- The cheerleaders are now going to kick Stargirl off of the cheerleading squad because of her actions at the game. They also called Leo Starboy because of their confrontation in the lunchroom.
C- Leo is lovestruck, but he is too afraid to admit it because of Stargirl's reputation at school. He does not want everyone to call him Starboy because of how humiliating that would be.
T- Why is Leo so against talking to Stargirl?
T- How on Earth did Stargirl know that Leo was behind the car?
U- I think that the reason that Leo is freaking out is that he is in denial that he secretly wants her to like him because he likes her too.
R- Stargirl says "hi Leo" in the lunchroom. The next day he thanks her for the card and he goes to her house that night. They talk for a while and Let hides behind a car. The next day they take a walk out to an enchanted place in the desert. Here Leo learns how to clear his mind and essentially become one with Cinnamon the rat.
P- I predict that Stargirl will end up revealing that she likes Leo.
P- I infer that Stargirl and Leo will have an awkward confrontation and some details about her will be revealed.
I- I picture Stargirl's ordinary house- adobe colored with pipetile roofing.
I- I picture Cinnamon the rat climbing all over Leo.
C- Leo is nervous to tell Kevin that he got the card from Stargirl because he does not know whether or not everyone got a card form her.
C- Kevin has now realized that Leo is afraid of talking to Stargirl because he knows that Stargirl likes him.
C- The cheerleaders are now going to kick Stargirl off of the cheerleading squad because of her actions at the game. They also called Leo Starboy because of their confrontation in the lunchroom.
C- Leo is lovestruck, but he is too afraid to admit it because of Stargirl's reputation at school. He does not want everyone to call him Starboy because of how humiliating that would be.
T- Why is Leo so against talking to Stargirl?
T- How on Earth did Stargirl know that Leo was behind the car?
U- I think that the reason that Leo is freaking out is that he is in denial that he secretly wants her to like him because he likes her too.
R- Stargirl says "hi Leo" in the lunchroom. The next day he thanks her for the card and he goes to her house that night. They talk for a while and Let hides behind a car. The next day they take a walk out to an enchanted place in the desert. Here Leo learns how to clear his mind and essentially become one with Cinnamon the rat.
Chapter 18-23
P- I predict that Leo will become so self conscious about nobody paying attention to him with Stargirl that he will start to drift away from her and she will become upset.
P- Leo doesn't want to admit that he may value the opinion of his classmates more than he values the affection of Stargirl.
I- I picture Cinnamon on Leo's lap while he listens to Stargirl practice her oratorical speeches.
I- I picture Stargirl's long dress fluttering over the tire of bike.
I- I imagine the bulletin boards that Stargirl looks at on a daily basis in order to know what is going on in people's lives.
C- Nobody will talk to Leo because he is with Stargirl. They are ignoring Stargirl because of the way she cheered for the other team at the basketball games.
C- Leo has gone to Archie's house in order to talk with him about stargirl.
C- Stargirl knows what goes on in people's lives because she reads the parts of the newspaper that no one else reads.
T- Why does Archie always speak in archaic sayings and riddles?
T- How does Stargirl do so well with her oratorical competitions?
U- I think that Leo said he could feel frost forming on his neck because he was implying that everyone was giving him the "cold shoulder", or, rather, treating him as though he isn't there.
U- To me, it seems like Leo and Stargirl are not only attracted to each other, but they are also very good friends. They have similar personalities even though they are worlds apart.
U- I think that it sounds kind of creepy when Stargirl talks about how she follows people around and tries to figure out what is happening and what kind of card to give them. I know that she means well, but that doesn't seem like a healthy thing to do.
R- Leo and Stargirl begin to bond by going to Stargirl's favorite places. Leo tags along as Stargirl makes cards, visits people, and gives gifts. Stargirl practices her oratorical speeches on Leo and they talk about what they want to be when they grow up. Leo realizes that he is being shunned from the rest of the school because he is with Stargirl. Leo learns that Stargirl knows everything that happens in people's lives because she reads the obscure parts of the newspaper and also because she looks at the bulletin boards around town. Leo goes to Stargirl's house and he sees that her parents, her house, and her room are all outstandingly normal. Stargirl and Leo kiss for the first time and Leo says mysteriously that it was "no saint" kissing him. Leo tells us that he is frustrated by the fact that he has to choose between the affection of his classmates and the affection of Stargirl.
P- I predict that Leo will become so self conscious about nobody paying attention to him with Stargirl that he will start to drift away from her and she will become upset.
P- Leo doesn't want to admit that he may value the opinion of his classmates more than he values the affection of Stargirl.
I- I picture Cinnamon on Leo's lap while he listens to Stargirl practice her oratorical speeches.
I- I picture Stargirl's long dress fluttering over the tire of bike.
I- I imagine the bulletin boards that Stargirl looks at on a daily basis in order to know what is going on in people's lives.
C- Nobody will talk to Leo because he is with Stargirl. They are ignoring Stargirl because of the way she cheered for the other team at the basketball games.
C- Leo has gone to Archie's house in order to talk with him about stargirl.
C- Stargirl knows what goes on in people's lives because she reads the parts of the newspaper that no one else reads.
T- Why does Archie always speak in archaic sayings and riddles?
T- How does Stargirl do so well with her oratorical competitions?
U- I think that Leo said he could feel frost forming on his neck because he was implying that everyone was giving him the "cold shoulder", or, rather, treating him as though he isn't there.
U- To me, it seems like Leo and Stargirl are not only attracted to each other, but they are also very good friends. They have similar personalities even though they are worlds apart.
U- I think that it sounds kind of creepy when Stargirl talks about how she follows people around and tries to figure out what is happening and what kind of card to give them. I know that she means well, but that doesn't seem like a healthy thing to do.
R- Leo and Stargirl begin to bond by going to Stargirl's favorite places. Leo tags along as Stargirl makes cards, visits people, and gives gifts. Stargirl practices her oratorical speeches on Leo and they talk about what they want to be when they grow up. Leo realizes that he is being shunned from the rest of the school because he is with Stargirl. Leo learns that Stargirl knows everything that happens in people's lives because she reads the obscure parts of the newspaper and also because she looks at the bulletin boards around town. Leo goes to Stargirl's house and he sees that her parents, her house, and her room are all outstandingly normal. Stargirl and Leo kiss for the first time and Leo says mysteriously that it was "no saint" kissing him. Leo tells us that he is frustrated by the fact that he has to choose between the affection of his classmates and the affection of Stargirl.
Chapter 24-26
P- Stargirl putting the bed sheet on the roadrunner will start a downward slide of her's and Leo's relationship.
P- Susan is going to have a major relapse and start to become her old self again, but after Leo ends it because she is too normal.
I- I picture Susan wearing a ridiculous amount of makeup and jewelry.
I- I picture Stargirl's happy wagon with just 2 pebbles in it.
C- Leo does not appreciate the sign that Stargirl put on the Roadrunner because he feels that he is a "target of her public extravagance".
C- After calling out to a kid named Renshaw, Leo realizes the extent of his shunning from the rest of the school.
T- Why did Leo call her Susan instead of Stargirl?
T- How did Stargirl "vanish"?
U- I can relate to the way that Leo is now releasing all of his bottled up anger in one fell swoop. He has held it in for so long that now it is all coming out at once and it is much worse than it should have been.
U- I think that Stargirl changing her whole appearance and attitude is a way of her making a statement that she could be a normal, ordinary person, but she simply chooses not to. I also think that Leo does not quite understand that, and thinks that she has changed herself for him so that she would fit in.
R- Stargirl puts a large banner on the roadrunner outside of the school that says Stagirl loves Leo. After that Leo begins to ignore Stargirl and so they eventually get into a small fight. Leo tells Stargirl that she has to change so that she can be like the rest of the students. They talk about it more and eventually Leo tells Stargirl that no one likes her. A couple days later, she shows up at school wearing tons of makeup and jewelry. Leo is happy about it, but it doesn't change anything. She tells Leo that she had a vision of her winning the state oratorical competition and everyone giving her a hero's welcome.
P- Stargirl putting the bed sheet on the roadrunner will start a downward slide of her's and Leo's relationship.
P- Susan is going to have a major relapse and start to become her old self again, but after Leo ends it because she is too normal.
I- I picture Susan wearing a ridiculous amount of makeup and jewelry.
I- I picture Stargirl's happy wagon with just 2 pebbles in it.
C- Leo does not appreciate the sign that Stargirl put on the Roadrunner because he feels that he is a "target of her public extravagance".
C- After calling out to a kid named Renshaw, Leo realizes the extent of his shunning from the rest of the school.
T- Why did Leo call her Susan instead of Stargirl?
T- How did Stargirl "vanish"?
U- I can relate to the way that Leo is now releasing all of his bottled up anger in one fell swoop. He has held it in for so long that now it is all coming out at once and it is much worse than it should have been.
U- I think that Stargirl changing her whole appearance and attitude is a way of her making a statement that she could be a normal, ordinary person, but she simply chooses not to. I also think that Leo does not quite understand that, and thinks that she has changed herself for him so that she would fit in.
R- Stargirl puts a large banner on the roadrunner outside of the school that says Stagirl loves Leo. After that Leo begins to ignore Stargirl and so they eventually get into a small fight. Leo tells Stargirl that she has to change so that she can be like the rest of the students. They talk about it more and eventually Leo tells Stargirl that no one likes her. A couple days later, she shows up at school wearing tons of makeup and jewelry. Leo is happy about it, but it doesn't change anything. She tells Leo that she had a vision of her winning the state oratorical competition and everyone giving her a hero's welcome.
Chapter 27-29
P- Stargirl will win the competition and she will go back to being herself instead of being like the rest of the students.
P- I predict that the homecoming Susan will receive will not be as spectacular as she had hoped.
I- I imagine the brightly colored plants in the desert.
I- I picture the mob of people that want Susan's autograph.
C- Leo does not necessarily believe that Susan will win the oratorical contest.
C- Susan does not think that she can lose the competition, and so she shakes it off when Leo says that she shouldn't count her chickens.
T- Why did Susan get out of the car to do cartwheels and dance and whatnot?
T- How does Susan come up with her speeches so easily and perfectly?
U- I love being in front of a large audience, like when our school band plays our shows. I can understand the way that Susan feels in front of the large crowd at the oratorical contest.
U- I think that Susan uses her bottled up emotions to convey the power an meaning of her speeches, making her the Arizona state champion.
R- Leo, Stargirl, and Mr. McShane set out on their way to Phoenix for the state oratorical contest. On the way he shares a piece of trivia about the moa, an extinct bird from New Zealand. At the contest, Susan does fantastically, just as she and everyone else had predicted. She qualifies for the finals and then ends up winning it all. When they arrive at the school the next day, they discover that only three people have showed up to congratulate Susan, and they have made a crude sign with a generic message on it.
P- Stargirl will win the competition and she will go back to being herself instead of being like the rest of the students.
P- I predict that the homecoming Susan will receive will not be as spectacular as she had hoped.
I- I imagine the brightly colored plants in the desert.
I- I picture the mob of people that want Susan's autograph.
C- Leo does not necessarily believe that Susan will win the oratorical contest.
C- Susan does not think that she can lose the competition, and so she shakes it off when Leo says that she shouldn't count her chickens.
T- Why did Susan get out of the car to do cartwheels and dance and whatnot?
T- How does Susan come up with her speeches so easily and perfectly?
U- I love being in front of a large audience, like when our school band plays our shows. I can understand the way that Susan feels in front of the large crowd at the oratorical contest.
U- I think that Susan uses her bottled up emotions to convey the power an meaning of her speeches, making her the Arizona state champion.
R- Leo, Stargirl, and Mr. McShane set out on their way to Phoenix for the state oratorical contest. On the way he shares a piece of trivia about the moa, an extinct bird from New Zealand. At the contest, Susan does fantastically, just as she and everyone else had predicted. She qualifies for the finals and then ends up winning it all. When they arrive at the school the next day, they discover that only three people have showed up to congratulate Susan, and they have made a crude sign with a generic message on it.
Chapter 30-31
P- I think that Leo will not ask Stargirl to the dance.
P- I think that Stargirl will realize that Leo has stopped caring and they will break up.
I- I picture the yellow of Stargirl's regal dress.
I- I picture the students all joining in during the bunny hop.
C- Susan has gone back to being Stargirl because she has given up on trying to be popular.
C- Leo is afraid to go and applaud for Stargirl and Dori because he does not want them to hate him more than they already do.
T- Why does Leo not ask Stargirl to the ball?
T- Why did Stargirl still go to the ball even without Leo?
U- I think that Leo is afraid to ask Stargirl to the ball because he thinks that the other students will ridicule him for going with her.
U- I think that secretly Leo feels regretful that he did not go to the ball with Stargirl because she became popular once again at the end of the ball.
R- Stargirl becomes herself again and dresses like she used to. She starts a ukulele club that only Dori Dilson joins. The amount of ignoring that goes on revolving around Stargirl reaches its climax. Leo does not ask Stargirl to the ball, so she goes by herself. Many students dance with her and she seems to be forgiven. At the end of the ball she leaves, never to be seen again.
P- I think that Leo will not ask Stargirl to the dance.
P- I think that Stargirl will realize that Leo has stopped caring and they will break up.
I- I picture the yellow of Stargirl's regal dress.
I- I picture the students all joining in during the bunny hop.
C- Susan has gone back to being Stargirl because she has given up on trying to be popular.
C- Leo is afraid to go and applaud for Stargirl and Dori because he does not want them to hate him more than they already do.
T- Why does Leo not ask Stargirl to the ball?
T- Why did Stargirl still go to the ball even without Leo?
U- I think that Leo is afraid to ask Stargirl to the ball because he thinks that the other students will ridicule him for going with her.
U- I think that secretly Leo feels regretful that he did not go to the ball with Stargirl because she became popular once again at the end of the ball.
R- Stargirl becomes herself again and dresses like she used to. She starts a ukulele club that only Dori Dilson joins. The amount of ignoring that goes on revolving around Stargirl reaches its climax. Leo does not ask Stargirl to the ball, so she goes by herself. Many students dance with her and she seems to be forgiven. At the end of the ball she leaves, never to be seen again.
Chapter 32-More Than Stars
P- I predict that Leo will not ever see Stargirl again.
P- I think that Leo will reveal that Archie has passed away.
I- I picture the skull of Barney.
I- I picture Peter Sinkowitz putting skiis on his Volkswagen.
C- Stargirl moved from Mica to Minnesota.
C- Archie tells Leo that Stargirl loved him enough to change who she was, and that he could never know exactly how lucky he was to have had her.
T- Why did Stargirl move away?
T- How did Archie know where they left to?
U- As I read this ending, I felt a feeling of regret and sadness, as well as a feeling of hopefulness. I think that Spinelli did a good job of conveying the emotions that Leo felt as he talked to Archie about Stargirl.
U- I think it is both touching and unsettling that Stargirl took pictures of and documented everyone's life, like a spy.
R- Leo recalls the times shortly after Stargirl left, and the way that he talked with Archie about it. He talks about how he got a job out east, and how his life was affected by Stargirl being in it. Kevin says that Stargirl has never showed up to any of their school reunions, but the alumni have done the bunny hop in honor of her. Leo says that one time he returned to Mica for a visit and saw that Archie's house had someone else living in it, and Senor Saguaro was gone, as well as the shed out back. At the very end, Leo says that he received a porcupine necktie in the mail.
P- I predict that Leo will not ever see Stargirl again.
P- I think that Leo will reveal that Archie has passed away.
I- I picture the skull of Barney.
I- I picture Peter Sinkowitz putting skiis on his Volkswagen.
C- Stargirl moved from Mica to Minnesota.
C- Archie tells Leo that Stargirl loved him enough to change who she was, and that he could never know exactly how lucky he was to have had her.
T- Why did Stargirl move away?
T- How did Archie know where they left to?
U- As I read this ending, I felt a feeling of regret and sadness, as well as a feeling of hopefulness. I think that Spinelli did a good job of conveying the emotions that Leo felt as he talked to Archie about Stargirl.
U- I think it is both touching and unsettling that Stargirl took pictures of and documented everyone's life, like a spy.
R- Leo recalls the times shortly after Stargirl left, and the way that he talked with Archie about it. He talks about how he got a job out east, and how his life was affected by Stargirl being in it. Kevin says that Stargirl has never showed up to any of their school reunions, but the alumni have done the bunny hop in honor of her. Leo says that one time he returned to Mica for a visit and saw that Archie's house had someone else living in it, and Senor Saguaro was gone, as well as the shed out back. At the very end, Leo says that he received a porcupine necktie in the mail.
Plot diagram
characterization
Leo Borlock: Leo is the narrator of the story, and he attends Mica Area High School. He hosts a local TV show called the Hot Seat, in which he and his friend Kevin interview various students from their school. Leo falls for Stargirl after she arrives at Mica, and they have a turbulent relationship until she one day leaves Mica, never to be seen again. Leo is a round, dynamic character, as with most main characters. He is round because we are able to imagine Leo and get a grasp of his personality, likes and dislikes, and overall who he is. I'd say Leo may be the second most dynamic character in the story, because he changes into an incredibly self-conscious, intolerant person toward Stargirl. He does not know how to balance his social status at school with his relationship with Stargirl, resulting in turmoil.
Stargirl: Stargirl is in many ways the second main character in the story. She is round and very dynamic. She is a round character because as soon as she arrives at Mica, we get a vivid description of her appearance. We also learn about her personality through Leo's accounts of various things she does, most of them involving her being selfless. Stargirl is the most dynamic character in the story because of her transition into "Susan", or her "normal" self. After Leo tells her that she has to change so that people will accept her again Stargirl comes to school wearing loads of gaudy makeup and jewelry. She is wearing name brand clothing and she calls herself Susan instead of Stargirl. After a while, she realizes that no amount of change will get her fellow students to accept her, and she goes back to calling herself Stargirl.
Archie Brubaker: Archie is an elderly ex-professor that has known Stargirl for a long time, even before she started going to Mica High School. He hosts classes for kids about paleontology and various other topics, and he frequently talks to Leo about his troubles in high school. Archie is a round static character. Archie is round because we can get an image of who he is as a person based off of Leo's description of his house. Leo says that there are bones literally everywhere. I'd say that Archie is a static character simply because he does not change who he is throughout the story. He stays the same cooky old man that gives out cryptic advice that takes even avid readers a second to understand.
Kevin Quinlan: Kevin is Leo's best friend and the host of the Hot Seat. He is a character that quickly gets pushed to the back seat in terms of importance because of Stargirl replacing him in Leo's life. Kevin is the one who effectively bridges the gap between Leo and Stargirl and the rest of the student body. He lets Leo know when something he is doing is affecting him socially, as well as poking fun at him when he becomes interested in Stargirl. Kevin is a round static character. He is round because we learn about who he is through Leo's anecdotes about their past together. We learn that he has always been one to thrive in the spotlight, and that the two have been best friends almost since the day that they met. Kevin is a static character because he is not involved deeply in Leo and Stargirl's drama. He stays the same old Kevin the whole story, even though Leo, his best friend, is changing drastically in such a short period of time.
Hillari Kimble: Hillari could be seen as the main antagonist of the story. From day one of Stargirl's arrival she is hostile toward her. She insults, threatens, tricks, and slaps Stargirl during the span of the book. She is dating Wayne Parr, who is one of the most popular guys in school. Hillari is a round, static character. She is round because we get to learn that she is jealous of the attention that Stargirl gets instead of her. She lashes out many times during the story for seemingly no reason, exacting revenge for a crime that was never committed. She is a static character because even at the ball- the last time anyone ever saw Stargirl- she still hated her guts. She never lost her anger toward Stargirl, even when the other students were forgiving her.
Stargirl: Stargirl is in many ways the second main character in the story. She is round and very dynamic. She is a round character because as soon as she arrives at Mica, we get a vivid description of her appearance. We also learn about her personality through Leo's accounts of various things she does, most of them involving her being selfless. Stargirl is the most dynamic character in the story because of her transition into "Susan", or her "normal" self. After Leo tells her that she has to change so that people will accept her again Stargirl comes to school wearing loads of gaudy makeup and jewelry. She is wearing name brand clothing and she calls herself Susan instead of Stargirl. After a while, she realizes that no amount of change will get her fellow students to accept her, and she goes back to calling herself Stargirl.
Archie Brubaker: Archie is an elderly ex-professor that has known Stargirl for a long time, even before she started going to Mica High School. He hosts classes for kids about paleontology and various other topics, and he frequently talks to Leo about his troubles in high school. Archie is a round static character. Archie is round because we can get an image of who he is as a person based off of Leo's description of his house. Leo says that there are bones literally everywhere. I'd say that Archie is a static character simply because he does not change who he is throughout the story. He stays the same cooky old man that gives out cryptic advice that takes even avid readers a second to understand.
Kevin Quinlan: Kevin is Leo's best friend and the host of the Hot Seat. He is a character that quickly gets pushed to the back seat in terms of importance because of Stargirl replacing him in Leo's life. Kevin is the one who effectively bridges the gap between Leo and Stargirl and the rest of the student body. He lets Leo know when something he is doing is affecting him socially, as well as poking fun at him when he becomes interested in Stargirl. Kevin is a round static character. He is round because we learn about who he is through Leo's anecdotes about their past together. We learn that he has always been one to thrive in the spotlight, and that the two have been best friends almost since the day that they met. Kevin is a static character because he is not involved deeply in Leo and Stargirl's drama. He stays the same old Kevin the whole story, even though Leo, his best friend, is changing drastically in such a short period of time.
Hillari Kimble: Hillari could be seen as the main antagonist of the story. From day one of Stargirl's arrival she is hostile toward her. She insults, threatens, tricks, and slaps Stargirl during the span of the book. She is dating Wayne Parr, who is one of the most popular guys in school. Hillari is a round, static character. She is round because we get to learn that she is jealous of the attention that Stargirl gets instead of her. She lashes out many times during the story for seemingly no reason, exacting revenge for a crime that was never committed. She is a static character because even at the ball- the last time anyone ever saw Stargirl- she still hated her guts. She never lost her anger toward Stargirl, even when the other students were forgiving her.
Themes
Identity: While the students at Mica High School, including Leo know who they are and what cliques they are a part of. They can identify themselves and each other with specific labels, but Stargirl is unwilling to place herself under such restrictions. She believes in being herself and not caring what anyone else thinks of her. Conversely, Leo is extremely conscious of who he is and what people think of him, to the point that he tries to convince Stargirl that she needs to change so that people will accept her.
Society and Class: At Mica High, as well as with almost all high schools, the social structure of the student body could be considered a microcosm- or a confined representation of a larger idea outside of said confines. It is in this way that just like the outside world, high schoolers feel the pressure to conform. Leo feels the need to change Stargirl and himself so that the other students will stop ignoring him.
Love: Love and feelings are expressed in two main ways in the book. There is the romantic expression of love between Stargirl and Leo, and then there is the caring that Stargirl feels for the people and world around her.
Society and Class: At Mica High, as well as with almost all high schools, the social structure of the student body could be considered a microcosm- or a confined representation of a larger idea outside of said confines. It is in this way that just like the outside world, high schoolers feel the pressure to conform. Leo feels the need to change Stargirl and himself so that the other students will stop ignoring him.
Love: Love and feelings are expressed in two main ways in the book. There is the romantic expression of love between Stargirl and Leo, and then there is the caring that Stargirl feels for the people and world around her.
Symbolism
The Silver Plate: The silver plate that Susan wins at the oratorical contest is symbolic of her hopes that when she returns, the students at Mica will cease to ignore her and will congratulate her on her victory. In the same way, it is in her eyes the only way to make Leo happy again.
Barney: Barney's skull is constantly brought out throughout the book, as it is one of Archie's favorite bones. Barney is not meant to be gross or morbid, but he instead represents the past. Archie reminds the kids and the readers that life went on before any of us or them, and life will continue to go on.
Barney: Barney's skull is constantly brought out throughout the book, as it is one of Archie's favorite bones. Barney is not meant to be gross or morbid, but he instead represents the past. Archie reminds the kids and the readers that life went on before any of us or them, and life will continue to go on.
mood
The mood of Stargirl is not like the other books that we have read this year. The mood of Stargirl is a mixture of love, hopefulness, and disappointment. Towards the beginning of the book when Leo and Stargirl first fall in love, they are blinded by it. They are oblivious to how the other students feel towards them. Spinelli does a good job of portraying the feeling of just wanting to be with a person instead of accepting what the rest of the world thinks of you. Then, when Leo tells Stargirl that she needs to change in order to get the rest of the school to like her again, the book changes to a bit darker of a tone, but still light. I would call it hopeful. Stargirl is hopeful that she will be able to make Leo happy by dressing like Susan, and she is hopeful that by winning the oratorical contest she will be able to get the rest of the school to accept her again. At the end of the book, when no one shows up to her welcome home party, there is a feeling of disappointment when Stargirl and Leo realize that there really is no way to get the school to accept her again.
tone
The tone of Stargirl is one of awe and wonder. The characters constantly describe Stargirl as being beyond definition, or at least something that they have never seen before. Spinelli writes in a way that makes it seem as though she is truly the greatest thing in the world, from the way she looks and dresses, to her hobbies, to her personality. At the end of the book, Archie really seals the deal on the overall mood when he talks about Stargirl being something that only happens once in a great while, and when someone like her comes around, you should cherish them and not let them go.