Stargirl

Jerry Spinelli does not write happy novels, he writes brilliant and thought-provoking ones. This is vital to know before one picks up Stargirl, because if you're looking for a romp through a sun-filled meadow, this might come as a surprise. 

Never mind the title, this story is told from the perspective of a sixteen-year-old named Leo, a boy who, though he doesn't know it, more than anything wants to fit in. What happens, then, when he runs into a girl who is so different that she's almost blinding? How can he possibly conform to the life of high school when she is all he can see?

This story is masterfully done. Even the tie with porcupines on it comes full circle in the end. It makes you take a step back and wonder just how Spinelli has connected everything here. More impressively, this story goes deeper than what's seen on the surface. While it might be a statement about the pressures of life in high school, Stargirl explores the costs of living life to its fullest and if it's worth it to pay the price. 

Characters you think you love in this novel may turn on you. In fact, this entire story is like a puzzle with pieces that don't quite fit together, and it's your task to decipher it. Sometimes, this can be difficult. Reading Stargirl is like being sucked into a different reality that closes you in and demands that you listen. But it's worth listening to. Stargirl isn't just a book, it's an experience, leaving it up to you to take it for what it's worth.

Appropriate for ages 15+