#ReviewMonday with KM Lockwood: Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Orchard Books 2000

192 pages in paperback

Illustration design by Isabel Warren-Lynch

Summary from Teachers@Random

Stargirl. 

From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of colour 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.

A YA classic

I think that’s a fair title for this review – since readers have made trailers for this book and teachers have made notes. It’s been round long enough to count – yet it still has something to say to contemporary adolescents.

I actually have the bright pink copy with the silver Stargirl stick figure on it seen above. (There are other colourways). It’s not perhaps what you might expect from me – but it’s good to read different kinds of book. It shakes you up, makes you think again.

This one snuck right past my analytical and sceptical scanners. I’ve rarely been keen on High School set novels, finding them full of cliché and stereotypes, but this didn’t annoy in that way. It could be how convincing the Arizona setting is, or how the recognisable characters and dynamics are shown with a dash of poetry, or both. It is very American - some aspects of the sports played mildly puzzled me but it doesn’t matter to the story – it all adds flavour.

There’s something fable-like about it. It’s modern in that slightly out-of-ordinary-time way – not much in the way of contemporary references to date it too much. It’s funny and thoughtful and sentimental. There will be those of a more cynical cast who loathe it – but for those who enjoy needing a tissue-box beside them when they read, it’ll be a bitter-sweet treat. 

I would recommend Stargirl for almost anyone confident to read alone who is interested in what it means to ‘be yourself’ – and to fall in love. It’s short, it’s a quick read with touches of simple beauty and some important ideas to ponder. (And you don’t have to have the shocking pink cover!)

---

 K. M. Lockwood lives by the sea in Sussex - see the pics on Instagram. She fills jars with sea-glass, writes on a very old desk and reads way past her bedtime. Her tiny bed-and-breakfast is stuffed full of books - and even the breakfasts are named after writers. You're always welcome to chat stories with @lockwoodwriter on Twitter.