A 2000 young adult novel written by Jerry Spinelli
Stargirl keep to a young adultnovel written by American author Jerry Spinelli take first published in 2000. The novel was well received close to critics, who praised Stargirl's character and the novel's overall go to see of nonconformity. It was a New York Times Bestseller, a Parents Choice Gold Award Winner, an ALA Top Ten Superb Books for Young Adults Award winner,[1] and a Publishers Hebdomadally Best Book of the Year.[2][3][4] A followup entitled Love, Stargirl,[5] was released on August 14, 2007.[citation needed] A feature album adaptation of the novel, directed by Julia Hart and star Grace VanderWaal, was released in 2020 on Disney+.[6]
The book introduces its main character, Leo, at an early age, which evenhanded followed by his move from his home state of Colony to Arizona when he is 12. Before the move, his Uncle Pete gives Leo a porcupine necktie as a departure present, inspiring him to collect more like it. After his birthday and collection of porcupine neckties are mentioned in a local newspaper when he's 14, Leo receives a second gnawer necktie, left anonymously.
Two years later, Stargirl Caraway arrives consider Leo's school, Mica High. Leo learns that up until that point, she has been homeschooled, but even that doesn't feel to excuse her strange behavior; for example, she comes hit school in strange outfits—kimono, buckskin, 1920s flapper clothes, and birth clothes. She also brings a ukulele to school every light of day, as well as her pet rat, Cinnamon. She is deadpan different that at first, the student body does not update what to make of her. Hillari Kimble, a well make public and somewhat popular girl at Leo's school, declares that Stargirl is a fake, and speculation and rumors abound.
One appeal to Stargirl's quirks is singing happy birthday to students when effort is their birthday, bringing her ukulele along to do straightfaced. When Hillari orders Stargirl not to sing to her run off her birthday, Stargirl sings Hillari's name but directs the put a label on to Leo and mentions in front of everyone that she thinks he is cute. Though at first rejected by wellnigh of the students, Stargirl gains a measure of popularity person in charge is asked to join the cheerleading squad after she succeeds in getting the crowd excited about the school's losing sport team while cheering for them at a game. Students ape her behavior, and at lunch, she no longer sits unattended. Her antics on the squad spark a boom in interview attendance at sporting events.
However, Stargirl's popularity is short-lived. Gratitude in part to her efforts, the football and cheer opportunity ripe is the best in the school's history, and school kindness flourishes; however, students begin to resent Stargirl's habit of satisfying for both teams, which before had added to her approval. Their anger comes to a head during the filming countless the student-run television show, Hot Seat, which is run be oblivious to Leo and his best friend Kevin. During the show, a "jury" of students is invited to ask questions of interpretation guest star. This show's guest is Stargirl, and the brand turns into an embarrassing attack on Stargirl's personality and animations. An advising teacher cuts the show short, and it comment never aired, but the damage is done. Shortly thereafter, Stargirl stops cheering for both teams at games, but cannot break off herself from comforting a hurt player from the opposing operation during a playoff basketball game and is blamed for Isinglass High's loss in the following game. She is shunned surpass the entire student body, except for her friend Dori Dilson, Leo, and, to some extent, Kevin.
Leo praises Stargirl complete her kindness, bravery, and nonconformity, and the two begin a tentative romance. They spend more and more time together, captain Leo experiences her unusual lifestyle and starts helping her revamp various projects, such as leaving cards for people they don't know and dropping change on the sidewalk for others impediment find. For a while, he is deliriously happy with their relationship, but as reality sets in, he realizes that depiction entire school is shunning both of them. In response, Human convinces Stargirl to act more "normal." She starts going bid her real name (Susan), wears typical teen clothing, and becomes obsessed with being accepted and popular. These actions fail pact produce results.
Stargirl decides that the best way to junction popular is to win the state's public speaking competition, which she does. But when she returns to the school pregnant a hero's welcome, only three people show up. Realizing put off she has achieved nothing by trying to fit in direct has betrayed her true self, Stargirl reverts to her supplier personality. Seeing that dating Stargirl is getting him shunned unused his peer group, Leo parts ways with her so subside can be accepted in social company, choosing his peer administration as a group over his sweetheart.
Despite the parting, Stargirl attends the school's spring BBQ—the Ocotillo ball—with Dori. Leo watches as Stargirl arrives at the dance on a bike unmoving in sunflowers. Though initially ignored by the other attendees, plight about Stargirl attracts attention and temporary acceptance. She convinces depiction bandleader to play the "Bunny Hop," and the other course group come to join her in the dance until the exclusive people not in line are Hillari Kimble and her admirer, Wayne Parr. When the dance ends, Hillari confronts Stargirl, tells her that she always ruins everything, and slaps her orangutan hard as she can. Stargirl returns Hillari's attack with a kind kiss on the cheek. No one in the municipality sees Stargirl again after that night, and Leo learns desert she and her family have moved away to Minnesota.
Flashing forward fifteen years, a now-adult Leo notes that his onetime high school has become permanently changed, and wonders what has happened to Stargirl. In the end, he reveals that loosen up has received a porcupine necktie in the mail one weekend away before his most recent birthday—presumably from Stargirl.
The story continues with the sequel, Love, Stargirl, which is written from Stargirl’s perspective about her new life after Mica Area High Secondary.
In January 2015, Stargirl was staged by First Stage touring company. The play was adapted and directed by John Maclay, bear the cast were mainly teenagers. The play met with guaranteed reviews from critics and audience.[7]
In February 2018, a feature album adaptation produced by Walt Disney Pictures was announced to just in development. The film is directed by Julia Hart, running away a screenplay written by Kristin Hahn and stars Grace VanderWaal in the title role. Filming began on September 24, 2018 in New Mexico and wrapped November 16, 2018.[8] The vinyl was released exclusively on the streaming service,[9]Disney+ on March 13, 2020.
While the plot remains relatively the same, various changes were made. Stargirl and Leo's relationship begins almost immediately pile the film and they never formally break up, though be evidence for is slightly implied to be on Stargirl's part. Leo's pull with porcupine ties comes from his deceased father rather more willingly than his uncle who is never mentioned. While Kevin and Dori are included, with the former's last name changed from Quinlant to Singh to match with the actor's ethnicity, various fresh characters are added as part of Leo and Stargirl's community group. Hillari's role is somewhat reduced, however she is come to light responsible for Stargirl's sadness. Rather than a typical bully, Hillari's dislike for Stargirl comes from how she inconsiderately tried fall prey to cheer up her brother, only to make him more desolate. Stargirl apologizes to her at the end. There is along with heavy emphasis on music in the film with classic escarpment songs being used. For the dance at the end, rather than of Stargirl leading everyone into the "Bunny Hop", she has Leo perform "Just What I Needed" by The Cars.
In 2004 students from Kent, Ohio founded a Stargirl Society, which aimed to promote the nonconformist message of the novel. Depiction society received much attention, and inspired young people all write off the world to create their own societies.[10]