CONCEPT/VOCABULARY ANALYSIS

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1 Stargirl CONCEPT/VOCABULARY ANALYSIS Literary Text: Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Organizational Patterns This book is narrated by Leo Borlock, a student at Mica High who becomes enchanted with a strange, new girl who calls herself Stargirl. The bulk of the novel contains 33 untitled chapters ranging from 3 10 pages. These chapters take place, for the most part, over the course of one high school year. Two titled chapters frame the story: a preface ( Porcupine Tie ) and a prologue ( More than Stars ). In the preface Stargirl, while still unknown to Leo, sends him a porcupine tie for his 14th birthday. In the prologue, long after Leo has lost Stargirl, he is surprised by a birthday package he receives in the mail one day another porcupine necktie. Issues Related to this Study of Literature THEME Bildungsroman. In many ways, this is a novel of coming of age. Although the book is titled Stargirl, it is the narrator, perhaps, who is the real protagonist. Leo must deal with inward and outward conflict as he struggles with his own emotions and the behavior of his peers in relation to Stargirl. Unfortunately, it is not until after Stargirl leaves that Leo becomes painfully aware of what he lost. Tolerance. How do we treat people who are different than us? Sometimes we are enchanted by them, just as the students at Mica High School were enchanted with Stargirl at first. However, more often than not, human beings tend to turn against those who are different. Stargirl teaches us some important lessons about learning to accept differences.

2 Identity. In trying to conform to the crowd and the wishes of her boyfriend, Stargirl becomes Susan an ordinary high school girl. Stargirl learns in this process that she is unhappy pretending to be what she isn t. Ultimately, she is happiest when she is true to herself. Archie suggests that perhaps we all could take a lesson from her and be a little more true to ourselves: [E]very once in a while someone comes along who is...a little more in touch with the stuff we re made of (177). It is a lesson about identity not just for Stargirl, but for Leo and the rest of the school. Individuality. In a high school where conformity is highly valued, Stargirl is more than just different she is a threat to the system. However, she begins to influence people and encourage individuality. Leo observes a change in the student body and comments that there should be a headline: MAHS Students Astir: Individuality Erupts (41). SETTING The story takes place in Mica, Arizona, a fictional town that centers around a business called Micatronics. Mica High School is a hotbed of conformity where everyone tries to imitate Wayne Parr an unexceptional but handsome student. The town is near the Sonoran Desert, and the wildness of the desert lends contrasts with the uniformity of Micatronics, just as Stargirl contrasts with the rest of the student body at the high school. FORESHADOWING It s a miracle! I gushed to Archie one day... Best hope it s not, he said. The trouble with miracles is, they don t last long. (41 42). Most of the foreshadowing in this novel comes from the mouth of Archie. As a wiser and older man, he is able to see things in a way the emotionally-tied-up high school students can t. For example, in the above passage, Archie warns that the temporary infatuation students have with Stargirl can go as quickly as it came and so it does. Leo is also a narrator that knows what is going to happen and thus foreshadows events for us. He gives us three sketches of Stargirl s less popular actions and says, The Pledge of Allegiance, the Grisdale funeral, the Danny Pike affair these things were noted, but they had no immediate impact on Stargirl s popularity at school. Not

3 so with cheerleading and the boys basketball season (47). Thus, it is no surprise when Leo later relates how students completely turn against Stargirl for cheering for the opposing team and then they add the previously listed incidents to their ammunition against her. POINT OF VIEW, NARRATIVE VOICE The story is told from Leo Borlock s point of view. He is an 11th-grade student at Mica High School. He, like many other students, is enchanted and mystified by the new girl at school Stargirl. When other students turn against Stargirl he must deal with his conflicting desires to be accepted by the school or to continue to date Stargirl. He decides he can solve both problems by making Stargirl become ordinary. This is a big mistake. The story is told in a firstperson narrative that gives us a glimpse into his mind and helps us understand why he acts the way he does. Even though Stargirl is the title character, it seems that Leo is actually the protagonist we seem him as he struggles with his conflicting emotions as a teenager, but as he grows up we see how this experience affects him throughout his life. TONE The tone is very thoughtful and conversational. Leo is telling you a story. A story about the complexities of high school popularity and high school emotions. He uses slang, fragmented sentences, and run-on sentences. He paints a vivid picture that is somehow both as ordinary as can be and unexplainably magical at the same time. We really get into his mind and seem him working out the issues as he goes along. We can see his immaturity at times, but we can also relate with him. IRONY It is sadly ironic that while Leo falls for Stargirl because of her uniqueness, he asks her to change the thing he loves most about her so he can be accepted by others and still keep her as a girlfriend. And while Stargirl cares so much about Leo that she is willing to change everything for him even herself, for a time, he is not willing to meet her halfway and put up with a little harassment for her sake.

4 Another regretful irony is that at the very moment when Leo breaks up with Stargirl and decides not to go to the Ocotillo Ball because he wants to be accepted, the other students finally come around and are once again enchanted by Stargirl. Affective Issues Related to the Work There are so many ways students can relate with the characters in the book. After all, this represents a typical high school, and while Stargirl may be an extreme example, the behavior of the students is not unlike what we find in high schools today. For example, students could self-evaluate and ask themselves the following questions about how their high school works: --The issue of popularity: What makes a person popular? Is it good looks and good clothes or something deeper? --The issue of those who are different: How do we react to people are extremely different from us? Are we afraid? Are we condescending? --The issue of individuality: Is it hard to truly be ourselves in certain situations? How important is conformity in junior high/high school? We all have probably been in both Stargirl s and Leo s shoes to some degree in our lives. After all, it is natural to want to be liked. But it is also natural to want to be free to express ourselves as we really are. Vocabulary Issues For the most part, a teenager in today s world should have no troubles with the vocabulary in this book. The narrator talks like a teenager, mixing slang in with his descriptions. For example, a girl did not get in an argument with her date, she had a tiff with her date (172). The few words that might be difficult to understand, such as raucous, can usually be inferred through the context. However, the author does use some allusions in his descriptions that perhaps not all students understand. For example, while describing the bunny-hop line that Stargirl starts, the author refers to a vaudeville vamp (172). The author also compares Stargirl to classic characters in children s books: She looked like Heidi. Or Bo Peep (8). A brief description from the teacher might bring help bring these images to life.

5 Perhaps one of the most enjoyable aspects of Spinelli s vocabulary is his use of hyphenation to create fresh, new adjectives. For example, it is not merely a starry sky. It is a salt-sprinkled sky (79). And Leo describes his best friend as he looks in front of the camera with his Ain t-i-something face (59). This would be a fun area to explore with students. Following Spinelli s example, they could try creating some of their own new hyphenated adjectives. Background Knowledge As this takes place in a typical U.S. High School, students could easily read and enjoy this book without any background knowledge. However, despite the ordinary appearance of the setting and many of the characters, this novel is very much like a fairytale or folktale. Stargirl is an elusive out-of-this-world kind of character, Leo is a protagonist who grows throughout the novel as his worldview is challenged by Stargirl, and Archie is a wise sage-like figure. If students have a basic understanding of archetypes or traditional fairytales, they might find some unique connections with Stargirl that they wouldn t ordinarily pick up. Also, an understanding of the man vs. self and man vs. society conflicts in literature will help them analyze Leo s behavior in regards to how he deals with inward and outward pressures. Implications for Students of Diversity Any student who has ever felt like they don t belong because they are different will find something to relate with in this book. This book celebrates being who you are no matter what others think of you. Stargirl is most unhappy when she tries to fit in just like many diverse students feel unhappy when they try to assimilate. But Stargirl gives us hope that if we are true to ourselves, even against all odds, we can end up making a difference in the lives of others and helping them see that there is not just one way that is the right way. Archie, the wise sage of this book, also gives a different cultural perspective. He loves to slip in Spanish sayings as he advises his students the kids who gather in rocking chairs on his porch every Saturday. As one of the predominate minority groups in Utah schools is Latin-American, many students will enjoy and relate with his character.

6 Gender Issues In trying to turn Stargirl into an ordinary girl, Leo creates a shallow stereotype. Leo describes the makeover of Stargirl as she took on her ordinary name, Susan: The girl standing, grinning in front of me wore jeans and sandals, had burnt-red nails and lipstick, painted eyes, finger rings, toe rings, hoop earrings I could put my hand through... (139). Unfortunately, Leo s idea of what an ordinary girl should be comes from the mass culture he finds around him. This brings up serious issues of what it means to be a woman eventually Leo discovers that more than just appearances matter, but at first he is taken in by Susan s imitation of the stereotype; that it what he expects because of the society he has grown up in. The Central Question/Enduring Issue A STORY OF TOLERANCE AND INDIVIDUALITY: This story celebrates a true heroine who is not tolerated because she is different, who doesn t even attend Mica High School for a full school-year, and yet ends up influencing the high school for generations to come because she is willing to be true to her own individuality against all odds. While Wayne Parr, the icon of the high school ends up a hopeless nobody, it is Stargirl that is never forgotten. Leo spends the rest of his life regretting that he gave up a girl so rare as her just because he wanted to be accepted. This book is a warning that if we reject someone or something just because we want to be accepted by the crowd, we may also end up with regret in later years. Popularity, after all, is short-lived and means nothing after those brief 3 years of high school; rather, it is a true hero or heroine who is brave enough to stand against the crowd that will live on in memories. Research Issues/Project Ideas BOOK REVIEWS: As an alternative to a traditional book response or book report assignment. Students can write a book review. Before writing their own review they could read what several other reviewers have read about Stargirl. Below is a list of some of the reviews of Stargirl: Children s Book & Play Review, March 2001, p. 21 The Autobiography of a Kid, June 1, 2002, p Horn Book, July 2000, p. 465 Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, October 2001, p. 170 Magpies, March 2001, p. 40 Observer (London, England), December 16, 2001, p. 17 Publisher s Weekly, June 26, 2000, p. 76

7 Reading Teacher, September 2001, p. 214 School Librarian, Winter 2001, p. 214 WHAT S IN A NAME?: Stargirl changes her name throughout her life, depending on how she feels. She has called herself Pocket Mouse, Mudpie, Hullygully, and Stargirl, even though her real name is Susan. For this activity, students will research the meaning behind their own names. First, they will look up the meaning in a name book or online. For example, Rachel is a Hebrew name meaning ewe. They will also interview their parents about how they chose their name is it a family name, a character from your mother s favorite book, etc.? For a creative twist, students can choose 3 or 4 different periods of their lives and make up new names for themselves during these periods that best describe their feelings and attitudes at different ages. MOCK INTERVIEW ON HOT SEAT : Leo and his best friend Kevin host a TV show at their school called Hot Seat. For an activity, students can choose a character in the book (preferably one besides Stargirl) to interview in front of the class in an imitation of the Hot Seat program. This will help the interviewer and interviewee come to a better understanding of some of the complex minor characters. For example, students could interview Archie, Dori, or Hillari. WRITE WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT: Jerry Spinelli s golden rule to writers who ask his advice is Write what you care about. If you do that, you stand the best chance of doing your best writing. Also, the character of Stargirl epitomizes a person who does what she cares about, no matter what else anyone thinks. For a writing activity, students could make a list of some things people, objects, intangible things, etc. that are important to them. Then, taking one or more of these things, they could write a personal essay about what they care about. It can be anything from a favorite stuffed animal or book to a treasured relative or friend. STUDIES ON STUDENT CULTURE: There have been some formal studies done on the nature of peer pressure and cliques in secondary schools. For example, you could refer to the following articles: Bishop, John, et al. Why We Harass Nerds and Freaks: A Formal Theory of Student Culture and Norms. Journal of School Health. Vol. 74, No. 7. Peer Pressure During Adolescence. Mesa Community College. Available:

8 Students could research some of these studies and (1) compare the studies to the behavior of students at Mica High School in Stargirl and (2) compare the studies to the behavior they see at their own school. Then students could consider the following questions: 1. What are some reasons the studies give for the existence of such problems? 2. Based on the experiences of the students, do these studies seem to come up with valid conclusions? 3. What can we do to overcome these forces in our own school? RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS: Stargirl is an everyday hero who is always looking for nice things to do for people. It is not easy to do acts of kindness anonymously you receive no recognition or fame. Students could try to connect with and emulate Stargirl by performing random acts of kindness for a week. Afterwards, they could discuss their experience in class and/or write an evaluation of the experience. Information/Functional Texts INTERVIEWS WITH THE AUTHOR: By reading interviews and articles about Jerry Spinelli. Students can find out where some of his ideas come from. For example, in the back of the paperback edition of Stargirl an interview with Jerry Spinelli reveals that his wife was one of his inspirations for creating the character of Stargirl. Another interesting article that gives an account of Spinelli and his inspirations is below: Brown, Jennifer M Homer on George Street. Publisher s Weekly. 249 (29): MICA AND MOA DEFINITIONS: Two symbols in the book Stargirl are mica and the moa. Mica, a form of rock, seems to represent the conformity-bound high school students. The moa, on the other hand, an extinct bird from New Zealand seems to represent Stargirl someone who seems out-of-time and out-of-place at Mica High School. Students could read some basic definitions of these objects to broaden their analysis of the book. NEWSPAPER ARTICLES: Stargirl was not accepted because she was different. The issue of intolerance is prevalent throughout the news today. Students could read current newspaper clippings about similar issues to help them broaden their understanding. TEXTS ABOUT THE SETTING: Students could read about and look at pictures from the Sonoran Desert in Arizona to give them an image of where the book takes place.