Stargirl by Jerry Spinellicelebrate the author; young adult challenge
Stargirl teaches everyone a lesson on conformity and being yourself. Being a teenager is tough and learning how to fit it with the crowd while still staying true to yourself is difficult. Whose heart is broken more: Leo's after he realizes he tried to change Stargirl, and then she's not the same girl, or Stargirl's, who changes for Leo because he wants her to but it doesn't change anything?
My son liked this so much he made me get the sequel, Love, Stargirl right after he finished this one.
The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli, 154 pages (ages 8-14)celebrate the author
One magical library card changes the life of four different 11 year olds. The card brings each of them what they need at that point of their life. The four short stories are not connected at all, other than the library card, and there is something for every reader to relate to: the almost juvenile delinquent being pulled by a friend, the television addict, the lonely child moved to a new community, and the child longing for someone to remember his childhood with him. Eleven year olds make the best characters - they are mature enough to be on their own, they are beginning to think about themselves and their place in the world, but still young enough to believe in magic.
I brought this home from the library after my son and I read Maniac Magee. He was having none of it; looked at the cover and said no. Two months later he starts telling me about this great book he was reading at school. Yep, you guessed it: The Library Card. Spinelli is one of my son's favorite authors.
I discovered Jerry Spinelli just last month. I enjoyed Stargirl and I'm glad your son did also. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteI read Stargirl with some of my students and they just loved it. They were all requesting the sequel from the library once we finished :)
ReplyDeleteI've read nothing but great things about Spinelli. I need to give him a try sometime!
ReplyDeleteI have had books by him in my hands several times, but never got around to reading him. One of these days! I have heard good things.
ReplyDeleteStargirl is one of my favorite books. It's one of those books that you can read as an adult or as a teenager, and it will still resonate.
ReplyDelete—Chayenne
I really enjoyed "Stargirl" and am looking forward to reading "Love, Stargirl." "the Library Card" sounds just as good. Must Add It To The List (said with clenched teeth). Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteStargirl is absolutely lovely!! don't you just kids? If you suggest it they blow you off but if someone else does then they're all over it!! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this out loud to my class right now. They're mesmerized! I think it's a little old for them, eight years old, but then again quality literature is quality no matter what age you are. I'm really impressed by Spinelli's writing and ideas, this being the first I've read of his.
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