#Stargirl Caraway

[ladyantiheroine]

My main complaint with the Stargirl adaptation is that they made Leo too nice. Leo in the book is kind of an asshole and judges Stargirl even after they’ve started dating. And that’s the point!!! He missed out on an amazing girl he liked because he let other people’s judgment control him!!! His judgemental jerkness was an obstacle in their relationship!!! Stargirl cares for him but won’t compromise her true self for him!!!

The movie smoothed him over to make him more “likable” I guess but that weakens his arc. He’s nice, but fewer flaws means he’s bland compared to the book version. For a good first half of the movie he doesn’t seem to mind that much that she’s weird. In fact, all the Mica students seemed nice enough to Stargirl until they suddenly become assholes after the Kovac incident.

Anyway, the movie is cute, it’s got nice warm nostalgic vibes, I don’t dislike it. But it feels like a toned down, muted version of the book.

[motionsickishreader]

Stargirl Review

Stargirl 

Jerry Spinelli 

Porcupine neckties, birthday songs, and small violet plants can all be traced back to one person: Stargirl. When a quirky, previously homeschooled girl who calls herself “Stargirl'' starts attending Mica High, the normal high school atmosphere is thrown into a frenzy. Years later, Leo Borlock recounts how over the course of one school year Stargirl made a difference in everyone’s lives. Spinelli does a stellar job at creating a story that captures the nature of high school and still holds up over twenty years later. While there are very few characters that are described in great detail, the main two characters are given depth and unique quirks that make them both feel human. Stargirl especially is fleshed out and very distinct, giving readers a clear picture of who she is based on Leo’s descriptions and her own actions within the story. Both characters have clear story arcs that are relatable and can serve as a lesson to readers. Intertwined throughout the entire story are themes of being different from those around you. Through Leo the story touches on the struggle of wanting to blend in and be accepted by your peers while also standing out within a crowd. Through him, readers can realize that wanting to be accepted and to belong within a group of peers is a normal feeling. Meanwhile, Stargirl serves as a direct contrast to the rest of the students at Mica High, who for the most part blend into the background and have no distinguishable differences between one another. For the majority of the story Stargirl is unapologetically herself despite the constant ridicule and whispers amongst students at school. While her popularity fluctuates, the overall idea that it is okay to be different and pursue what makes you happy is demonstrated through Stargirl. She also is a good example of a character who is selfless and does things for the satisfaction of making others happy, rather than gaining recognition for herself. This can be important to readers and easily incorporated into a classroom setting as a lesson about kindness and serving one's community. This novel has a sequel, Love Stargirl, and two movies based off of these stories. Overall, Stargirl is a great coming of age novel that all readers will get something out of. 

BIBLIO: 2000, Scholastic Inc., Ages 10 up, $3.99. 

REVIEWER: Jessica Hummel 

FORMAT: Young Adult 

ISBN: 0-439-48840-0

[irlcharliekelmeckis]

hello friends!! i have made a basic carrd to introduce myself & my kins! feel free to reach out anytime, i love to make friends!

[shortgremlinman]

My friend talking about smut immediately after I balled my eyes out of the ending of stargirl

[gangst3rswife]

So. I think we can all agree that Leo was definitely a total unnecessarily stupid jerk, but In all honesty, I really love him.

He was a boy, scared and unsure, who grew up in a world that basically told him to fit in, to be quiet, to not make a sound. But then he met Stargirl. A girl who showed him that the opposite should be true.

And while in the end, he utimitely chose the world over Stargirl, he did learn. Even if he didn't ever quite grasp everything that Stargirl taught him, I believe that it all stuck with him. That each word, each moment, each lesson was a seed that Stargirl planted in him. A seed that'll grow as he grows.

So yeah, I think that, while he was a jerk, and while Stargirl deserved much better, Leo's story is just as beautiful as Stargirl's.

[gangst3rswife]

Ohmygosh this is so beautiful it hurts.

“THINGS I LIKE ABOUT LEO: 1. You loved me 2. You liked my nose freckles 3. You were nice to my rat 4. You loved Archie 5. Your shy smile 6. You followed me into the desert 7. You held my hand in front of everybody 8. You chose Me over Them 9. You filled up my happy wagon THINGS I DON’T LIKE ABOUT LEO: 1. You dumped me 2. You liked Susan more than Stargirl 3. You weren’t brave enough to be yourself 4. You chose Them over Me 5. You’re emptying my happy wagon���

—

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Number 3 on the second list makes me sooooo sad. It just hurts. This book is so beautiful.

[starshower1215]

Hange Zoë as Stargirl Caraway

Consider a Hange Zoë (or Levihan, I suppose) version of Stargirl. Just look at this quote:

"She laughed when there was no joke. She danced when there was no music.

She had no friends, yet she was the friendliest person in school....

She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to a corkboard like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew."

-pg. 15 of Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

The exposition would just be pages upon self-indulgent pages of Levi ruminating on Hange's mystery (as Leo Borlock does to Stargirl for some 50 pages straight, so in fact, I don't make the rules) how she sweeps into his life like a storm, her presence as big as the sky and unfitting in his small town, the way she captures his heart with just one smile (the Stargirl synopsis is way too beautiful).

This would be like the strangest coffee shop au, except it isn't quite a coffee shop, but an entire town trapped in the cycle of complacency. Then Hange Zoë comes in and uproots it all with her mere presence, showing both the town and Levi what it's like to love, to live, and to lose.

[anxiety-lemsbian]

stargirl caraway is such an icon honestly but leaving that for a minute, one of the reasons that i think everyone gets a miracle in their life is because of that book, because i read the sequel as well as other jerry spinelli books and they were. not excellent.

[gangst3rswife]

FR. Stargirl is such a gorgeous, painful, inspiring, comforting, disheartening beautiful book. It deserves so much more love than it gets.

It's 100% one of my absolute most favourite books.

Why doesn't the Stargirl fandom have more people?

You guys who like The Fault in Our Stars would love this book. It’s really amazing. I cried most of the time while I was reading it. I just really want more people to know about and read it. It’s really a great book for anybody, doesn’t matter what age.

[shortgremlinman]

Just cried so hard over the book stargirl it's unreal

[mormon-character-tournament]

Group One Round One

Character info from submissions under the cut

Doreen Green AKA Squirrel Girl (Headcanon) Doreen Green is a superhero with all the powers of a squirrel and a girl! She has fought some of the biggest bads in the Marvel universe (like Doctor Doom and Thanos) and won! She is able to communicate with squirrel and they help her in her crime fighting endeavors. It doesn't seem possible for her to lose. Doreen doesn't just beat up bad guys, she is dead set on helping them reform. Whenever she fights, she tries to talk to the villain about what's really bothering them, and help them find an alternate way to work out their issues. She seems to truly believe in the power of repentance and forgiveness. Plus, with her winning streak it's easy to believe she's got the power of God on her side.

Stargirl Caraway (Headcanon) Stargirl is a delightful oddball, joining public school after being homeschooled for so long. She wears outdated clothes and plays the ukulele. A manic pixie dream girl to some, she falls in love with the protagonist Leo. She's kind to everyone and unafraid to stand out. I suppose it could be ironic to some that Stargirl's message of nonconformity could ever be considered a Mormon, but I really related to her as someone who stood out for standing up for what I believed in. I was the only member in my school for years

[his-stargirl]

WEDNESDAY: August 7th 2024.

You make me feel like Stargirl.

You make me feel beautiful and unique in a way. I think of all the things I want to do, and all the words I want to say. Every time it's different, changing, like my love for you every day.

Like the stars in the night sky, I find beauty in your eyes. The way God crafted and sculpted you into the person you are today, with a smile that could brighten even my darkest day. With hands that could hold all my worries and throw them away like they were never there before.

You make me feel like the only person in a room full of people. In the best way imaginable I feel like we could be the only people in the world whenever it's just you and I.

I could hear the song of Stargirl Caraway as we walk down my street at sunset, I see the smile you have while you look at a flower I picked from the dirt. The nervous holding of your hand, and the smile I get that never seems to go away.

The nervousness as you plan a date and the daydream I have while you do. Something as simple as my favorite movie being a moment shared with you. At the end of the day, I pray that you are the one I get to be with throughout the rest of my days.

You make me feel like Stargirl, beautiful and unique in every way.

[gangst3rswife]

In a way, she also taught me these things. She was all of this for me too.

Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli.

[i-am-the-page-turner]

"Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli.

"Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli is a heartwarming young adult novel that follows the unconventional Stargirl Caraway as she navigates the challenges of high school in Mica, Arizona. Stargirl, a free-spirited and eccentric girl, captures the attention of her classmates with her unique fashion sense and kind-hearted nature. Despite facing ridicule and ostracism for her individuality, Stargirl remains true to herself, spreading joy and positivity wherever she goes. Leo Borlock, the novel's narrator, becomes infatuated with Stargirl and is drawn to her magnetic personality. As their friendship blossoms, Leo grapples with his own insecurities and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. However, when Stargirl's nonconformity threatens his own social standing, Leo must decide whether to embrace her uniqueness or conform to the status quo. Through Stargirl's journey of self-discovery and acceptance, Spinelli explores themes of identity, authenticity, and the importance of staying true to oneself. "Stargirl" is a poignant and uplifting tale that celebrates the power of individuality and the beauty of embracing what makes us different. With its memorable characters and heartfelt message, Spinelli's novel resonates with readers of all ages, inspiring them to embrace their own inner Stargirls.

[karlyjadec]

Stargirl Caraway ✨

[inwhichiramble]

Okay so

I just watched Hollywood Stargirl, and as a huge Stargirl fan I was initially disappointed that they didn’t adapt the original sequel (Love, Stargirl), but after watching it I have decided two things:

While Love, Stargirl is a fantastic book, it would not have made a good movie and I am okay with that. (I actually read it before the original Stargirl book and I think it’s much better that way, which is part of why it shouldn’t be a movie.)

Hollywood Stargirl stayed true to her character and gave her and her mom some much needed closure, ending her character arc in a very satisfying way for this duology, and for that reason I am very happy about this movie.

Anyways. I’m sentimental about books I read as a kid so I’m happy about how this one was handled 😊