Stargirl: The Best Book I Read in School by Jessica

Stargirl: The Best Book I Read in School by Jessica - July 2013 Scholarship Essay

The best book I ever read for school was Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. Reading this short novel for seventh grade, my first year in middle school, I was not accustomed to books that held more meaning than was read on the surface; because of this, I was thoroughly confused by the plot and distrustful of those who complimented the book. However, as school commenced and the class began analyzing the novel, I grew to appreciate specific parts and the book as a whole. Entering an age of pressured conformity, this novel was completely refreshing to read of a story where the narrator understood the need to fit in while encountering a girl, Stargirl, contrary to acceptable trends, though intriguing as ever. I felt as though my acceptance of this prominent and unique character increased in time with the narrator as he put himself in situations to understand his peer.When I first read the novel, I felt relieved when the narrator slowly changed Stargirl and she gradually acted as an average teenage girl would. This relief morphed into frustration when the novel closed with Stargirl reverting back to her previous ways; no matter how much happiness her strange manners brought her, I simply wanted her to be normal. It wasn’t until we discussed this subject in class that I began to see how possibly happiness could have more value than normalcy or popularity. Then taking this idea further, I was able to to link this idea to my life, and I could consider that maybe my unique interests, humor, and personality could have the opportunity to surface around my peers. In the conclusion of the novel, the narrator realizes that if he cannot accept Stargirl and her quirks, then he cannot have his friend, for his friend will not exist without her unique personality. From this, I was able to relate that I could not truly be myself if I could not embrace my own distinctions from my peers. Stargirl was one of the first books I read in school that allowed me to learn something that I could appreciate, and that could affect parts of my life.