Love, Stargirl Review
The companion to one of my most beloved young adult novels, Stargirl, which details the mythic life of a young nonconformist. As if walking through the looking glass, we see Stargirl's life (now, far away and dealing with life after rejection) through her own eyes. We see the pain and self-doubt in the difficulties of being different, of seeing the world differently, of having a big heart while the world is sour and angry. We see her dealing with a broken heart and perhaps new love, dealing with new friends and a new world. The novel isn't quite successful in showing the pains and pleasures of nonconformity, and certainly not as successful as its predecessor. Stargirl, sadly, suffers in the loss of her mythic quality obtained by Leo's perspective. Spinelli, though, is still a master storyteller, with a cast of characters familiar to us all (a sort of ultra-human reality), and themes that play like a subtle, gentle melody unlike most in the young adult genre that play more like hammers on pianos. Sadly, not his strongest outing. But certainly one that brought plenty of tears to my eyes. Grade: B+
Love, Stargirl Overview
Stargirl has moved and left everything behind: Arizona, Mica High, enchanted desert places–and Leo. He’s all she can think about, and her life begins to feel like a parade of unhappy anniversaries. Then Stargirl meets her wonderfully bizarre new neighbors: Dootsie, the curly-headed five-year-old “human bean”; Betty Lou, who hasn’t stepped outside her house for nine years; Charlie, who sits among the tombstones; hot-tempered Alvina with that one glittery nail; and Perry Delloplane, the blue-eyed thief who soon lays his own claim to Stargirl’s heart.
In letters to Leo over the course of a year, Stargirl comes to find hope in new places: mockingbirds, donut angels, moon flowers, and the Winter Solstice. But what’s life without Leo? Will he–can he–answer that one crucial question she asks every morning to the rising sun?
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Customer Reviews
love stargirl - skywriter515 -
this book was inspiring by tiah j. readers should embrace stargirls originality and bigheartedness by izzy g addressing loss growing pains and staaying true 2 oneself this stellar follow up book is both profound and funny. by karen g parents and young readers alike will find much 2 enjoy in this imaginative sequel by keriann d.
Love, Stargirl: Unorginal - Patrick J. Jones -
Title: Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Pages: 274
Days spent reading it: 4 days.
Why I read it: This book is the sequel to Stargirl, which I loved.
Brief review: I looked forward to reading Love, Stargirl since I heard it was coming out. The original Stargirl was a great twist on the boy meets girl tale, and I thought the sequel would be just as original. Sadly this book did not live up to the standard set by its predecessor.
Love, Stargirl is written as if it was Stargirl's journal. So it is not a straightforward tale, instead it follows the everyday exploits of our heroine. Some days are interesting; others, not so much. The love story that made the first book so wonderful is missing and instead Stargirl is paired up with a 6 year old named Dootsie, and a myriad of random people from the town.
My biggest problem with the story is that I have read the same plot before. Because of Winn-Dixiehas many of the same elements. These include: multi-generational misfits in town pulled together by an especially loving girl, big celebration at the end, and a random pet that serves a major character. The truth is Because of Winn-Dixie was much better and written years before. And the sad thing is that Stargirl is such an original character, it is a shame to see her wasted in a regurgitation of a tried and true plot.
I wanted to like, Love, Stargirl, but it just was not that great. The slow beginning picks up by the end, and the theme of love and loss is handled very well, but this book is just sub-par compared to the original material. Not terrible, but not great. Stargirl fans are sure to pick it up, but they would preserve their memory of Stargirl better if they left this one on the shelf. Really it is my respect for the original Stargirl that compels me to be honest in evaluating this offering by Spinelli.
Favorite quote: "May our reunion be not a finding but a sweet collision of destinies!"
Stars: 3 out of 5.
Final Word: Unoriginal.
best book i have ever read - -
i really was looking foward to reading this but i thought like most books with sequels that it wouldnt be as good as the first. i was dead wrong because this was better. basically it about a girl that is different and loves to be herself and do good deeds but she had jsut moved from arizona where she mt the boy that she was in love with leo. it is all the journal entries that she has that is atcually a letter to him. she gets many friend that have so many different personalities such as mary lou the woman that hs a fear of leaving her house. dootsie the five year old that is also star girls best friend. archie the wise man from arizona. and many more. then she meets perry the poro bad boy that has three other girlfriends that she i confused about. it is so much better then thf ist one because i si frm star girlsperspective and she has such agreat personality that makes u just want to be her friend. definatly buy this book u will not regret it.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jul 01, 2010 07:10:06
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