Love, Stargirl

"Love, Stargirl" was very enjoyable, but it wasn't the book I was looking for. When I bought this, I assumed that Leo, the once and future boyfriend from the first book, and Stargirl's paths would cross again.

However, instead it follows Stargirl in her new town, as she meets new friends, helps new people, and is still hung up over Leo. The book is made up of her unsent letters to him. Personally, from the first book, I didn't imagine Stargirl to be the type who mopes for very long. It kinda made her less unique.

But, overall, it's a sweet sequel. Stargirl continues to change lives and helps people learn to improve themselves.

I'm hoping this is not the last book in the series. Even if Stargirl and Leo grow up and marry other people, I show more really wanted to read a scene where Leo apologizes for trying to change Stargirl's unique ways out of his own ignorance. Maybe Stargirl could have "star children" who meet Leo's kids somehow and a reunion happens. show less

Love, Stargirl is the sequel to Spinelli’s 2004 charmer, Stargirl.

It’s rough.

It is also interesting.

Love, Stargirl is written as one epically-long letter sent from Stargirl to her Arizona-dwelling ex from the first book, Leo Borlock. As the story opens we find Stargirl still reeling over Leo’s rejection. She’s a bit of a mess, and so is the book at this point. A host of lovable wackos (as only Spinelli can write them) are swiftly dropped on the reader: an agoraphobic former beauty queen, a donut-delivery girl clawing her way from girlhood to adolescence, a completely uninhibited five-year-old who keeps her eyes on the prize, this list goes on and on. Her happy wagon is looking pretty sad. It’s a lot to take, in the beginning, show more and I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through the book as Stargirl carried on moping and being sanctimonious by turns.

Then, around page one-hundred-twenty-four, it started to gel. Yes, that’s quite a long way in, and it should rightfully give some readers pause. If this isn’t your kind of story, it’s probably not worth the grind to page one-twenty-four. At this point it suddenly becomes clear that each of the extreme characters with whom Stargirl has been spending her time, represents some part of herself or her grieving process for what she had with Leo. Five-year-old Dootsie is her past, her essence, seed of a future Stargirl. Agoraphobic Betty Lou is her loneliness. Donut-delivering Alvina is her struggle to remain true to herself in her dealings with boys.

There are men and boys in the book, too. One mirrors Stargirl, sitting shiva for a lost love; another is a litmus test for future love. This is where the book finally gels, in a moment where Stargirl has tracked down a local ladies-man for reasons she doesn’t really understand. The dialogue between them never fails to spark in a way that her cutesy interactions with Dootsie don’t begin to approach. He is the catalyst for her recovery, asking her the hard questions when she won’t ask them herself.

Stargirl was told from Leo’s perspective: his experience of an exotic creature who appeared in his life and chose him to share hers, until he couldn’t bear her difference any longer. Love, Stargirl takes her down from that mythic pedestal and allows her to be human. Flawed, judgmental, naive, jealous, brave, nurturing, and (perhaps most of all) lost. She finds her way by shepherding others, reminding herself as she reminds them that world is there waiting when they decide to come back and join it.

I liked this book, but as The Librarian Who Doesn’t Say Sssh noted, it may make a difference whether you are a Leo or a Stargirl. I have always been, for better or worse, a Stargirl. Leos may find this loose, at times seemingly random, emotional narrative exasperating. Trust me that every (???) moment pays off in the end. show less

Just as amazing as the first! Jerry Spinelli is truly a master.

I throughly enjoyed the new cast of characters that found their way into Stargirl's life in this book! From tiny Dootsie to the infamous Perry, I loved them all. It was refreshing to read things from Stargirl's point of view for a change, to see how she was affected by Leo.

Once again what I love most about this book is just how true Stargirl is to herself. Yes, she goes through moments where she questions who she is, but she always finds her way back to her true self. Not afraid to be odd, not afraid to be different, not even afraid to be unpopular. Her attitude and passion shine off of the pages.

I recommended the first of these books to everyone I knew, and they will hear show more about this one as well! Leo and Stargirl forever! show less

Every bit as good as the first. Some of the more eccentric town characters take some suspension of disbelief, but on the whole, Stargirl's story is by turns heartwarming and heartbreaking as she documents--in "the world's longest letter"--the year that follows her breakup with Leo and her move from the Arizona desert. This is the year she hits bottom; her happiness wagon--with 20 pebbles in it a year earlier, First Kiss Day--shrinks to just one stone. Stargirl clings to herself, unwilling to turn into plain Susan for a second time in a year, and it's that strength of spirit that might eventually save her--and some others, as well.

I can't put my finger on what it is that makes this book so wonderful--it's sweet and touching and poetic show more but never crosses into saccharine or treacly. I guess it just is what it is--much like Stargirl herself. show less

In Love Stargirl, Stargirl Caraway has moved from Mica, Arizona and begins a new life across the country in Pennsylvania. This book is written in letter/diary form, taking place as the "longest letter ever written" to Leo Borlock, her boyrfriend whom she left back in Arizona. This book was very touching. Its the kind of book written for anyone who has ever been in love and has left that love behind or vice versa. While reading this, i wished i had read this during a moment in life where i felt "still, quiet and lost"

In some parts of the book Stargirl writes out her emotions of Leo and life and how they tie in together- those parts i felt that i made this special connection with Stargirl herself. This book helps you to visualize or in show more my case remember how it is when you have to let go but remember that there is a sunbeam of hope. Life goes on and sometimes you jsut have to let it take you.

The people whom Stargirl meets are so fascinating! I loved each and every one of them! We meet 6 year old Dootsie who becomes like a little sister to Stargirl, her innocence and smart humor are adorable! Alvina, the hot tempered Eleven year old who seems to be torn between boys and Barbies! As well as Perry, the sly blue eyed boy who seems to captivate Stargirl...

I must admit that when i read Stargirl (the first book) i didn't think too much on it, i was expecting more from it and the story itself was not what i had expected but Love Stargirl is a whole new story itself! I really enjoyed reading this and i hope all you guys go out and read these two books! show less

I enjoyed learning more about StarGirl. I liked seeing how her life went after she left Arizona. I liked the format of the book being letters as well. It made it interesting and unique like Stargirl herself. I still felt the ending was bittersweet and it would have been nice to get a more "happy" ending, but at the same time, it was nice to have things up in the air a bit too. It lets the reader decide what happens next. I'll definitely want to read more by this author in the future.

It was interesting to read this story from the pov of Stargirl as it gives us more insights on how her mind works and how she interacts with other people and her surroundings. I have to admit though that I like the first book more than Love, Stargirl. I find that there are too many characters that it sort of muddled the story. But the writer was able to tie it all up towards the end to give us a beautiful, hopeful ending.