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librarianlizreads's review
4.0
I absolutely loved this book when I was about halfway through. It spoke to me of the true humanity of high school life and it wasn't necessarily pretty. Yet it also highlighted the ability for a person who is completely true to themselves can change the people around him or her. There is a really beautiful message in this book but it was somewhat lost for me in the ending. I'm torn between hope and selfish despair.
mariahistryingtoread's review
3.0
If manic pixie dream girl was a book it’d be Stargirl.
As a coming of age story Stargirl perfectly encompasses the pressures of adolescence. I read this as a kid and spent years avoiding it as the bullying was too much for me to handle. Being an adult gave me a different perspective. In a way it was more tolerable. In another it was more painful.
It sits in a weird place between young adult and middle grade, to its detriment. The writing style is middle grade, but it’s about 16 year olds. I think it would have been better if it was more directed at middle grade because it doesn’t actually take advantage of having older protagonists. I actually think the story isn’t as good because it operates as if the struggle of early teenagers is exactly the same as older ones. It comes off as a middle grade novel masquerading as a young adult one in an attempt to draw both sides of the demographic in.
It’s not like these are hard lines. Kids who would fall under middle grade can absolutely read up. So I think it would have been a lot more beneficial to write up and hope the kids rise to the occasion instead of expecting teens to read down.
Leo was annoyingly realistic. He wants a baddie, but the moment he bags her he can’t handle it and does everything he can to smother her light. At least he’s young so he has time to change.
Stargirl was plain annoying. I don’t think she should change herself in the least to fit in with a bunch of wishy washy, judgmental teenagers. That being said, the culture has changed a lot since the hippie archetype first emerged. The whole ‘starchild-love everyone-bohemian’ schtick has been majorly co-opted. It no longer holds the same appeal it once did as people with this vibe more often than not are entitled, self involved white moderates.
There obviously are tiers to this and I’m not saying every mother or woman who adopts this kind of aesthetic is bad. I’m just saying that there has been a rise in the ideals attributed to this aesthetic being warped (consciously or subconsciously) for hypocritical and/or malicious purposes. The outcome is that I no longer found her shenanigans endearing.
I’d probably rate lower if it wasn’t so short. The fact that it’s a brisk read is to its benefit.
As a coming of age story Stargirl perfectly encompasses the pressures of adolescence. I read this as a kid and spent years avoiding it as the bullying was too much for me to handle. Being an adult gave me a different perspective. In a way it was more tolerable. In another it was more painful.
It sits in a weird place between young adult and middle grade, to its detriment. The writing style is middle grade, but it’s about 16 year olds. I think it would have been better if it was more directed at middle grade because it doesn’t actually take advantage of having older protagonists. I actually think the story isn’t as good because it operates as if the struggle of early teenagers is exactly the same as older ones. It comes off as a middle grade novel masquerading as a young adult one in an attempt to draw both sides of the demographic in.
It’s not like these are hard lines. Kids who would fall under middle grade can absolutely read up. So I think it would have been a lot more beneficial to write up and hope the kids rise to the occasion instead of expecting teens to read down.
Leo was annoyingly realistic. He wants a baddie, but the moment he bags her he can’t handle it and does everything he can to smother her light. At least he’s young so he has time to change.
Stargirl was plain annoying. I don’t think she should change herself in the least to fit in with a bunch of wishy washy, judgmental teenagers. That being said, the culture has changed a lot since the hippie archetype first emerged. The whole ‘starchild-love everyone-bohemian’ schtick has been majorly co-opted. It no longer holds the same appeal it once did as people with this vibe more often than not are entitled, self involved white moderates.
There obviously are tiers to this and I’m not saying every mother or woman who adopts this kind of aesthetic is bad. I’m just saying that there has been a rise in the ideals attributed to this aesthetic being warped (consciously or subconsciously) for hypocritical and/or malicious purposes. The outcome is that I no longer found her shenanigans endearing.
I’d probably rate lower if it wasn’t so short. The fact that it’s a brisk read is to its benefit.
lisamchuk's review
5.0
A high school girl who marches to the tune of her own mandolin confronts and changes perceptions - and falls in love. This is a fantastic book about an excellent role model. It brought a tear to my eye, a happy tear!
minion2r's review
5.0
I can't really explain this book except that it was absolutely amazing. Stargirl had me gripped on the very first words and kept me there throughout the whole book. This really is an amazing book and I highly recommend it. Read it.
bookph1le's review
5.0
It's been a while since I read such a beautiful book that affected me on such an emotional level. More complete review to come--when I finally stop crying!
jtrombka's review
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
rattledragons's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cosymilko's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Stargirl. I loved it in a way that only a person who forced their own mind into the generic cookie cutter can. As one of those, I often still struggle with what I'm doing. Is it weird? Would X do it? Should I not do it?
Stargirl doesn't have those things hanging over her. She enchants the school and they love it. She's a breath of fresh air for them until something happens. Then she's the reason things go wrong. If she were normal...
Stargirl is what a lot of teens need to read to realise that it's okay to fit your own mould. It's okay to be different. And yet, I don't think many teens have the maturity to grasp the best parts of this book. It's bittersweet to read it as an adult.
It's a simple read but one that will linger with you.
Stargirl doesn't have those things hanging over her. She enchants the school and they love it. She's a breath of fresh air for them until something happens. Then she's the reason things go wrong. If she were normal...
Stargirl is what a lot of teens need to read to realise that it's okay to fit your own mould. It's okay to be different. And yet, I don't think many teens have the maturity to grasp the best parts of this book. It's bittersweet to read it as an adult.
It's a simple read but one that will linger with you.