Ok thanks to Bethany, I finally read this book. She was going to join and post it herself, but I think she got real busy, so I'll post this one for her. She said, "This one should be required reading for every teenager and every parent of any age child. I read it about once a year for the last 5-6 years." I have to agree with her. it should totally be required because it is something every teenager can relate with.Stargirl Caraway arrives at Mica High School in AZ after having been home schooled all her life. She wears pioneer dresses and kimonos to school, strums her ukulele and sings happy birthday to people in the school cafeteria, and cheers for the other team along with her own.
Amazon says, "The whole school, not exactly a 'hotbed of nonconformity,' is stunned by her, including our 16-year-old narrator Leo Borlock: '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.'" Leo tells us that the whole school tries to label her or pin her down to a code of behavior like everyone else, but nothing sticks. She seems impervious to their shock and confusion. Leo finds himself hopelessly in love with her, and when the school suddenly turns on her, Leo urges her to become "the very thing that will destroy her: normal."
This was a fantastic story about popularity, nonconformity, and teenage life in general. It's a must read, particularly for any tweens or teens.
3 comments:
Devony, thanks for posting this. I did get busy. I loved reading your take on it though. Every time we see a girl do something original or special in our family we all smile and call her "Stargirl". It helps us remember that is not only ok, but wonderful to be yourself. I love all the "Stargirls" in my life.
You know...I just finished reading this book today and it did have a great message. I was just disappointed in how the others acted, especially Leo. BUT that is a pretty normal response when you are a teenager that wants to fit in...peer pressure vs. doing what's right.
Very true Katie. It was disappointing to see the reactions to her nonconformity, but it also made you think about how confident you have to be to not care what others think (like Stargirl did). Good thoughts.
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