And I love books by Jerry Spinelli.  That I got this book two weeks ago and finished reading it before some books I've had for months is evidence of this fact.  Also, just in general, I love Stargirl.


You could call Love, Stargirl a sequel or, as my cover has it, a companion novel (which sounds a little better, I suppose).  It takes place about six months after Stargirl has left her boyfriend Leo, one true friend Dori, and the rest of Mica High.  She's moved to a faraway place called ... um, Pennsylvania. 

Stargirl is writing one very long letter to her lost love, Leo, that spans the course of one year.  In it, she describes her life in her new town, especially the strange, fascinating people she meets (or doesn't get to meet, at least at first).  She befriends a spirited 5-year-old, a woman with a bad case of agoraphobia, a frustrated (and frustrating) tween who likes to act tough, and even becomes smitten with the mysterious Perry.  Stargirl is her old self, even though she's depressed because of the fallout between her and Leo.  All year, she recreates her version of Stonehedge using cheap spatulas, goes with her father to deliver milk, makes up stories about the strangers she sees, and delivers donuts to an old man who waits beside the grave of his deceased wife.  Slowly, she rediscovers her happiness and more importantly, where it comes from.

What else is there to say?  This was a great book.  I loved reading things from Stargirl's point of view.  She's the perfect blend of quirky and accessible.  She's extremely aware that she's writing this just for Leo to see (someday), and yet doesn't hold anything back, including her growing feelings for bad-boy Perry.  And I loved the other characters, like little Dootsie and Betty Lou, who welcome her with open arms.  Whereas Stargirl was all about standing out and being yourself, this book is more about having the love and support of a community.  The end was even more satisfying than the prequel, so it seemed to me, mostly because Leo and Stargirl have become the equivalent of Romeo and Juliet for me.  Only they learn a completely different lesson about love and acceptance.

Rating: 4.5 oranges out of 5.