Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli


It is so cold; my hands are barely able to move!


I am teaching this book to my year 8s. I have just finished reading it and I love it!


Stargirl is about a girl, Stargirl, who is different to the mainstream (annoying) teenager. She sings happy birthday to people; she wears long skirts and no makeup. I think she is lovely. However, she is not admired by the schoolkids. Until she becomes a cheerleader, and she becomes popular. When SG is popular it is like the kids' eyes have opened and they are born again (and other cliches). They become nice to eachother! But then they think she does something wrong - she barracks for the other basketball team too, and the entire school shuns her!


Leo, the narrator, has a thing with Stargirl. They seem to have a very beautiful, natural, innocent love affair. But he gets shunned too, so he asks her to be normal. And she loves him so much she becomes normal.


This novel covers many themes. The publication my school has has a reading guide at the end. I have been devising some thought-provoking journal entries too. Throughout the book, there are several activities that SG does that I might get my students to do.


How to be a starperson:


  • Get a jar (literal or metaphoric). Write down things that make you happy and put them in the jar. Write down things that make you unhappy and put them outside the jar. Try altering it each day.

  • Observe somebody for a day. Write them a card that you think will mean a lot to them. Or get to know someone and write them a letter.

  • Take photos of a friend or relative. Give them a little scrapbook to remind them of what they did (could be a long-term project for loved ones).


Reflections



  1. Who are the 'star people' in your life (the people who are truly happy, "a little more in touch with our beginnings, a little more in touch with the stuff we're made of")?

  2. How important is it to be liked by other people? To fit in? To belong? How would you feel if you weren't/didn't?

  3. Are you a star person or a normal person? How do you know? Would you like to be a star person?

  4. Archie says (41): "You'll learn more by your questions than her answers." What does he mean?

  5. Stargirl seems in tune with nature. She even has an 'enchanted place.' Do you believe in enchanted places? Do you have one? Is it more a state of mind? How can it be created and what would you expect from it?

  6. Would you change who you are for the person you love?

  7. If you were Leo, how would you respond to Stargirl?

  8. Search: find as many similes and metaphors as you can (the book is riddled with them!)

I recommend this book. Although it is written for teens, it is a quick, enjoyable read for all. 180+p. ****

2 comments:

Chell said...

Hi Rebecca, maybe this could be the teenage book to expore in our group.

Rebecca said...

hi michelle. i think that'd be a great idea. there's a lot in it and it's a great read.