I found about this book through this sub and honestly, every single one of the mentions it had (either in posts, comments or both) was negative. A few weeks ago I found a cheap, translated copy of it in a local bookshop near my home, so I bought it, simply to see what is all about.
So, *Stargirl* is a book by American author Jerry Spinelli. I suppose that I would categorize it as “young adult fiction” broadly. The story is narrated by Leo Borlock, a high school student living in Mica, Arizona. Leo lives a very conventional life, until Susan Caraway (or “Stargirl” as she’s calling herself) ,a new student at his school, appears in it and turns it upside down.
Stargirl is unconventional and has many eccentricities (like carrying her pet rat with her anywhere, wearing weird clothes and singing with her ukulele at random moments, just to name a few). She’s very energetic, open and empathetic towards others, and that soon makes her very popular with her peers, until a series of events will change that…
Now, we have to address the elephant in the room, and admit that Stargirl herself is probably a prime example of a MPDG (Manic Pixie Dream Girl). She appears at moments to exist simply to make Leo appreciate his life more, or to make others appreciate theirs, without having a lot of personal substance herself. I must admit that I really enjoy characters like her – unconventional, eccentric, unlimitedly optimistic and empathetic, and I employ them sometimes in my own writings. But I can also see why such characters may have limited appeal among readers and authors.
All in all, the story is rather simple, and follows Stargirl’s and Leo’s adventures while they study at Mica High, their relationships with their peers and fellow students and the struggle to balance between their >!eventual love relationship!< and their broader social life, which is tainted by Stargirl’s dropping popularity. Again, the main story tends to be somewhat simplistic.
So, I’d say that Stargirl is an alright book. It isn’t some literary revolution, nor is particularly unique, but it is a nice, pleasant story about love, friendship and appreciating one’s life. Stargirl as a character is maybe a bit bland (in the sense of being a MPDG), but other than that, the book is readable. I’ve heard that Spinelli’s sequel, *Love, Stargirl*, is much better than the first, so I may buy it just to see.
by A_Guy195