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Stargirl

(2003, Fiction - School, Written by Jerry Spinelli)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    A must-read for middle-schoolers to discuss.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The main character doesn't have the courage to stand up to his peers, who behave abominably to a girl who is different.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    A kiss.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    The names of stores are mentioned in a trip to the mall.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One adult character smokes a pipe.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Stargirl

Parents need to know that Stargirl is a sort of supernatural character who is difficult to encapsulate, despite her classmates' repeated attempts to pigeonhole her. Few parents will have objections to the content, but there is one scene in particular where Stargirl's peers verbally attack her on a television show. A romantic relationship also develops between the two main characters, but it's completely innocent. Every middle schooler should read and discuss this -- and, fortunately, many of them do.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why Leo is drawn to Stargirl and why he feels he has to choose between her and his friends. If Stargirl showed up at your school, how do you think you and your friends would treat her? Do you see Stargirl as a role model? Why? What about Leo? Do you admire him any less? Why? What do you think about the book's ending?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Stargirl?
  •  I think this book is

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See all 51 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    i love this book because of it's message that it's ok to be different and not to judge someone by the way they look! THis book is about a girl that move to a new sdchool and is the center of a attention in everything she does, when a boy notices her but hes to scared to talk to her cause everyone dislikes her.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    best for ppl over the age of 10...........kind of unappropiate 4 kids under that age........:)

    I ABSOLUTLY LOVE THIS BOOK! i love how she puts her arms over him and starts to kiss him and i also think that they book if funny............i has a lot of kissy kissy kissy things in it but other than that I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Waaaaaaaa?

    Kinda Iffy. Fortunately, most of it is in innuendos. A bunch of hormonic, lovesick, peer-presure relenting teenage pervs. ggaaaaauuuuugh.

  4. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    Never let anyone change you!!

    I lovedd thuis book becuse, when or lose Stargirl was never afraid to be different. Even if she had terrible rumors going around the school about her, she'd never pay them the time of day. This is a lesson for all teens my age. Never let anyone change the way you are, when you decide to change that should be your decision not anyone elses.

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