Stargirl Comprehension and Critical Thinking Questions

1. List two ways Stargirl’s face is different from other girls’ faces.

2. What does this reveal about Stargirl’s character?

3. What effect did Stargirl have on the second home football game?

4. Why do you think she had this effect?

5. Why does Stargirl look at Leo when she is singing to Hillari?

6. Would Stargirl be welcomed in your school? Why or why not?

7. For whom did Stargirl cheer?

8. Why do you think she does this?

9. How does the “Undefeated” sign affect the students?

10. Stargirl wants friends. Is she successful in her attempts to make them? Why or why not?

11. What does Leo’s reaction to Stargirl’s smile reveal about his feelings for her?

12. Why does Stargirl go to the desert?

13. What does Stargirl do with loose change?

14. Why does she do this?

15. Explain Leo’s reaction to reading ”Stargirl Loves Leo” on the roadrunner.

16. Explain Stargirl’s relationship with nature.

17. What kind of smile does Stargirl give Leo when she releases him from taking her to the Ocotillo Ball?

18. How does Leo react to that smile?

19. Why do you think Leo feels that way?

Answer Key to Comprehension and Critical Thinking Questions 1. She wears no make-up and she has the biggest eyes Leo had ever seen. 2. She’s being her true self; her large eyes may mean she’s watching others closely;

she’s “larger than life”. 3. Stargirl’s effect on the second home football game was the increased energy

level. 4. Discussion question/answers may vary. 5. Students will probably say she is interested in him and senses that he is

interested too. 6. Discussion question/answers may vary. 7. Stargirl cheered for everyone, including the other team. 8. Discussion question/answers may vary. 9. The “undefeated” sign makes the students forget how to lose and to really love

winning. 10.Discussion question/answers may vary. 11.Leo’s smile reveals that he is definitely attracted to her and probably has begun

to fall in love with her. He feels like he’s been hit with a baseball bat! 12.Stargirl goes to desert to meditate. 13.Stargirl leaves loose change everywhere she goes. 14.She does that so others will find the change and be happy. 15.Leo’s first reaction to the “Stargirl Loves Leo” sign is to drag his teacher and say,

“Look! She loves me!” The second reaction is to run outside and rip it down. 16.Stargirl’s relationship with nature is close. She seems to be sensitive to nature

and enjoys being in nature. She seems to find peace in nature. 17.Stargirl’s smile was one of infinite kindness and understanding. 18.Leo reacts to the smile by hating her. 19.Possibly Leo realizes that he is a needy soul. He needs to fit in. He hates not

only her but himself for needing to fit in so badly.

Stargirl Theme and Text Evidence For each theme below, provide text evidence as proof.

If you are who you are meant to be, you can change the world. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You are not happy being someone you are not. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dynamic or Static Characters? For each character, explain why they are dynamic or

static. Be specific. Use text evidence.

Hillari

Stargirl

Kevin

Dori

Leo

Archie

Who needed to change? Why? Explain. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Answer Key for Dynamic of Static Character Hillari is static because she never changes. Kevin is static because he never changes. Dori is static because she never changes. Archie is static because he never changes. Stargirl is dynamic. She changes from Susan then back to Stargirl after she realizes she is not happy. Leo is dynamic. Leo changes from worrying about “them” to being his own person, unfortunately, after Stargirl leaves. Students will have various answers about who “needed” to change. This is a good opportunity for class discussion.

Analysis of Foreshadowing in Stargirl For each event, explain what it foreshadowed.

Page 1. At the time I simply considered this episode a mystery. It did not occur to me that I was being watched.

Page 6. …and the whole lunchroom had become very uncomfortable…

Page 7. “I’ll tell you one thing,” Kevin said…”she better be fake…I mean if she’s real, she’s in big trouble. How long do you think somebody who’s really like that is going to last around here?”

Page 7. It was unthinkable that Stargirl could survive---or at least survive unchanged—among us.

Page 35. “Best hope not,” he (Archie) said. “The trouble with miracles is, they don’t last long.”

Page 35. How could I know that when the end came, I would be in the middle of it?

Page 36. …she was for more normal than I had realized…

Page 42. This was the year the team was winning. Only winning. And that changed everything.

Page 47. I was afraid the show might turn ugly.

page. 64. Not only didn’t he show up for class the next day, he never showed up, period. They never saw him again…(Archie referring to the fossil...)

Page 79. I felt a pang of jealousy, that she could be sitting next to me and not know it. That she could be somewhere most wonderful and I could not be there, too.

Page 96. Sometimes she seemed so far from me.

Page 107. I had never realized how much I needed the attention of others to confirm my own presence.

Answer Key for Foreshadowing Page 1. Archie took Leo in to Stargirl’s office to see her files on him and everyone else. Page 6. The students will not like her. In fact, they will shun her. Page 7. Stargirl changed into Susan but could not change Leo—so she left. Page 7. The kids will reject her “realness” when she cheers for the other team. Page 35. Her popularity did not last. Page 35. Leo would be shunned too. Stargirl leaves and ends the relationship. Page 36. Stargirl changed into “normal” for Leo’s love. Page 42. If they team was not winning, maybe Stargirl would have stayed well-liked. Page 47. The jury on Hot Seat verbally attacked Stargirl. Page 64. Stargirl moves away. Page 79. Leo is not mature enough to be with Stargirl and loses her. Page 96. Leo loses Stargirl. Page 107. Leo would choose “them” over Stargirl.

Analyzing Symbolism For each excerpt of text, explain what it symbolizes.

p. 11 By Friday the flower hung down over the vase, its dead stump of a head shedding yellow dust in the pencil groove.

P 34 They lie dormant and waiting, these mud frogs, for without water their lives are incomplete.

p. 110 When I finally dared look again at the courtyard, I found that someone had torn the sign away. Thumb tacks at the corners pinned four white scraps of bed sheet to the plywood.

p. 133 “So stay next to me. Every second. Crowds can separate you, you know. They do that. Okay?”

p. 136 I pulled down the shade.

For each image above, explain its symbolism in the novel.

Answer Key for Symbolism Page 11. Stargirl is becoming Susan and unhappy. Leo’s relationship with Stargirl dies. Stargirl’s popularity dies. Page 34. Leo’s life is incomplete without Stargirl. Students were incomplete without Stargirl’s energy. Page 110. Leo’s need for the students’ approval ripped Leo and Stargirl’s relationship apart. Page 133. The students (“them”) separated Leo and Stargirl. Page 136. Leo is choosing to end his relationship with Stargirl. Picture of porcupine necktie: Symbolizes Stargirl’s unique personality and her willingness to accept people for who they are….not what she thinks they should be. Picture of Cinnamon, the Rat: Symbolizes Stargirl’s uniqueness. A rat is not the typical pet for teenage girls. It’s different and so is Stargirl. Picture of cactus: The cactus is Senor Saguaro. He is a wise old man (Archie) that imparts wisdom. Leo finds his advice “prickly” and uncomfortable. Whose affection does he value most? It is not a question he wants to answer truthfully. Picture of cheerleader: Symbolizes popularity. Symbolizes Stargirl’s need to be liked. When the cheerleaders reject Stargirl, the whole school does too. Picture of bike: Symbolizes Stargirl. It is not your typical mode of transportation for a teenage girl. It represents freedom from conformity. It also symbolizes the fact that Stargirl’s kindness is sometimes rejected—like the bike thrown on the trash pile. Picture of coins: Symbolizes Stargirl’s willingness to give freely of herself. She is truly unselfish. She wants others to be happy because that brings her the greatest joy. But this unselfishness comes with a high price tag---she loses Leo because of it. Picture of daisy: Symbolizes growth. Maybe the students and Leo weren’t ready to grow and change. Leo finally grows after Stargirl leaves. The wilting of the flowers on her desk at school symbolizes the loss of her popularity. Stargirl can’t stay at MAHS because it’s literally “killing” her spirit.

Analyzing Figurative Language For each example of figurative language, identify it and explain its

significance in the novel.

p. 7. “snapped back into place like rubber bands”

p. 91. “she was bendable light”

p. 59 “visions of championships danced in our heads”

p. 66 “back of my neck was on fire”

p. 110 “smiling to beat the band”

p. 132. “we floated”

p. 117 “sea of them”

Answer Key for Figurative Language Page 7. Simile. This refers to the students at MAHS. They were rigid and conformed to their peers. If they strayed from that conformity, they quickly snapped back in order to fit in. This kept them from embracing Stargirl. Page 91. Metaphor. Leo refers to Stargirl as “bendable light” because she seems to have the ability to shine light into the darkest of places. She brightens his world. She makes him feel alive. She seeks him out and wants to give her light in a relationship. Page 59. Personification. This refers to the undefeated season the basketball team was having and to the fact that the students are becoming fanatical about winning a championship. It is also one of the reasons the students reject Stargirl. Her cheering for the other team is seen as betrayal and maybe even the cause of the defeat. Page 66. Hyperbole. Leo is extremely embarrassed and feels like he’s under a microscope. No teenage boy wants to feel this way, but Stargirl seems to have that effect for him. Page 110. Idiom. This shows the joy of Leo and Stargirl’s relationship. The only problem is that the band has to quit playing at some point. Page 132. Hyperbole. Stargirl and Leo are so in love that they don’t walk, they float. Again, floating implies coming down to the ground. That coming down is often disappointing. Page 117. Metaphor. “Sea of them” refers to the students. Unfortunately, Leo will either swim or drown in that sea. He chooses to drown himself in the sea of conformity with his peers. Stargirl literally swims away from him.

Analyzing Irony Explain the irony of each statement.

p. 35. The students have become happily individualized on one hand, but a collective student body in school spirit on the other hand.

p. 39 The BB gun was given as a replacement for the bike.

Stargirl Literary AnalysisChapters 1-7

Define narrator Who is the narrator?

Define flashback What is the flashback? What information does it give?

Chapters 8-13

Define conflict Describe the conflict between Stargirl and the students at

MAHS.

Define mood Examine the scene in Chapter 12 when Stargirl pretends to be

sitting on the hot seat. What mood does this create?

List at least six concrete details Spinelli uses to create this

mood.

Define dialogue Analyze the dialogue between Stargirl and the jurors of Hot

Seat. How did this conversation make Leo feel?

What is the significance of that dialogue?

Chapters 14-22

Define suspense Identify three ways Spinelli creates suspense in these

chapters.

Define description List the words and phrases Spinelli uses to describe the

Enchanted Place.

How is the Enchanted Place symbolic for Stargirl?

Identifying Key Literary Elements of StargirlWhat is the conflict?

What is the flashback?

What is the resolution?

What is the climax?

What is the setting and why is it important?

What is the point of view and why is it important?

There are two allusions in the novel. What are they? Page 6;

60.

What is the genre?

Answer Key for Literary Analysis Narrator: person or character who tells the story; narrator is Leo Borlock Flashback: a part of a story, poem, or play that presents events that happened at an earlier time; the flashback tells us that Leo received a porcupine necktie on his 14th birthday and that a person is watching the entire town. Conflict: a struggle between two people or things in a literary work; Students think that Stargirl was wrong to cheer for the other team and then leave the game. They see her differences as negatives. They want her to be like them or leave. Mood: the feeling or emotion created in a literary work; The mood is funny and comedic; her eyes are larger; she’s frozen and rigid as if electrified; her hands rise and fingers spread wide; her fingertips seem to be smoking; she screams, “Yikes!”; she shows her rear to the camera lens and fans her fanny. Dialogue: conversation between two or more people or characters; the dialogue makes Leo feel helpless and uncomfortable (but he does nothing to stop it). The significance of the dialogue shows the extent to which the students dislike Stargirl as well as the fact that Leo did nothing to defend her. Suspense: a feeling of expectation, anxiousness, or curiosity; creates questions in the minds of the readers; Spinelli creates suspense in 1) the jury on Hot Seat attack Stargirl verbally; 2) during the basketball game, tomato is thrown at Stargirl’s face; and 3) during lunch, Stargirl walks straight toward Leo’s table, but he flees…and everyone seems to be watching them… Description: writing that portrays or describes a character, object, or scene; tall dilapidated saguaro; bundle of sticks; gray scrub; tumbleweed; few prickly pears; mountains in the distance; the Enchanted Place is symbolic for Stargirl because Stargirl is beautiful even though the Enchanted Place isn’t particularly beautiful; she makes it beautiful; she brings the enchantment—just like she did for Leo. What is the resolution? Stargirl tells Leo that it’s okay not taking her to the ball. What is the climax? Susan returns home after winning the speech contest and only three people are waiting for her. What is the setting and why is it important? The setting is in high school which was important because Leo had to choose between peer acceptance or following his heart. What is the point of view and why is it important? The point of view is first-person. Leo is telling us the story. This is important because it is really a story about Leo and his struggle to be his own person—not to be led by what others want or expect. We have to know his thoughts and feelings to see his struggle. Allusions: Bo Peep’s pigtails (nursery rhyme); David and Goliath (Bible) Genre: Realistic fiction.

Answer Key for Cause and Effect 1. She cheered for the other team. It is negative because the team was

undefeated, and she seemed like a traitor. 2. She said the Pledge of Allegiance incorrectly and changed the words. It is

negative because she also seemed like a traitor to her country by being unpatriotic.

3. She went to Anna Grisdale’s grandfather’s funeral. It is negative because a funeral is too personal; she was not family.

4. She bought Danny a bike after his accident without his parents’ knowledge. It is negative because it caused a fight in the family. It was not her decision to make.

5. She walked out on a basketball game because the other team was losing badly. It was negative because she seemed like a traitor.

6. She went to comfort the other team’s player when he broke his ankle. It was negative because she seemed like a traitor.

Based on the analysis of Stargirl’s attempts to make friends, her actions, and the effects of

those actions, what lesson can we learn?

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Writing Connections Chapters 1-7 1. After Stargirl sings to Hillari but looks at Leo, how does Leo

feel and why?

2. What are the things that make Stargirl stand out from others at Mica Area High School? Why do you think so?

3. Do the students at MAHS embrace Stargirl’s differences or reject them? Why?

Chapters 8-13 1. Leo says that the students had forgotten how to lose and they

didn’t like it. What insight does this give you as to how people respond to winning? What is good and bad about this attitude?

2. Stargirl says she came to public school to make friends. Do you think Stargirl made good choices in trying to make friends? Why or why not?

Chapters 14-22 1. Senor Saguaro’s advice to Leo was in the form of a question.

“Whose affection do you value more—hers or others?” Is this good advice? Why or why not?

Chapters 23-End 1. How does Leo react to Stargirl’s transformation into Susan?

Why do you think he reacts that way? Do you like his reaction? Why or why not?

2. Explain how Susan attempts to be “somebody” instead of a “nobody”.

3. How do you feel about Leo’s treatment of Stargirl at the end? Explain.

I think that Leo was unfair to…

Writing Connection

Choose three (3) of the following quotes. Explain how each quote fits Stargirl.

Make sure you use text evidence to

support your ideas.

You should have three different pieces of writing.

Choose one of the drafts to revise and

take to a final draft.

Project Ideas

Silver Lunch Truck Recess: Students bring goodies to give away at recess—for free. Students then write a reflection of the experience.

Secret Kindness Day: Students plan a kind act to do secretly. Students write a secret report to the teacher about what they did and the effects they observed and experienced.

Photographic Mural: Students create scenes from the book to photograph. The scenes should be chronological. Students should provide costumes and props for an authentic representation. Students photograph the scene and present them in a chronological mural.

Peer Pressure Survey: Students prepare 5-1o questions to ask two adults in their lives. The questions should be about experiences the adults had either as a young person or as an adult regarding peer pressure. (see attached assignment sheet)

Create-Your-New-Name-Poster: Students create a new name for themselves that represent who they are or who they want to be. They create a new picture-signature.

Short Answer:

In a well-written response, answer the question: What is a theme of Stargirl?

Remember to provide text evidence to support your answer.

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Exam: Answer Key 1. b 2. Theme 3. c 4. False 5. False 6. denouement inciting incident exposition resolution climax 7. True 8. a 9. 1. b; 2. c; 3. a 10. b 11. False 12. 1. b; 2. c; 3. a 13. c 14. c 15. b 16. a 17. b 18. c 19. c Writing response: answers will vary; must have text evidence