HIGHLIGHTER

The HIGHLIGHTER’s job is to focus on a few special sections of the text that you think would be a great starting point for discussion.
Your focus should make the group aware of the most interesting, puzzling, funny, memorable, or important parts of the text.

Name: Alice Karasinski Name of Text: Stargirl

Date: 4/11/2018 Author: Jerry Spinelli

SCENE DESCRIPTION Rationale for Choice Questions for Discussion

(Include page number/paragraph)
“By then most of us liked having her
around…. we held back. Because she was
different”pg26
“’No. If anybody is acting, it’s us. She’s as
real as..’” pg. 33
At this point of the book, the students What does it mean to be normal?
understood that Stargirl was different and Does being normal make you more popular?
rather than noticing her differences they’ve What is a good friend?
become accustomed to it. They were intrigued What qualities does Stargirl have that would
by the differences. This seems like something make her a good friend?
that would happen in a normal school Would you be friends with Stargirl?
especially the fact that once accustomed she
was still an outcast. Even through my own
school experiences I found somewhat of a
relatable quote and as a teacher its important
to address this issue and turn that attitude into
something that inspires those students to
encourage friendships with people like Star
girl.
A common theme throughout the book is Do we change who we are to be normal?
identity and this is one of the many quotes that What do you think the world would be like if
added to the theme. Stargirl didn’t conform to we all acted like ourselves?

“….show me the ants, two of them,
lugging the lopped leg of a beetle twenty
times their size across the sidewalk as
might two men..” pg 108
“He believes mockingbirds may do more
than imitate other birds.” Pg 150
“I waited until the last of the students had
left the courtyard, and Stargirl and Dori
were performing for one one. To my
surprise they went on and on. It was too
painful to watch. I left school.” Pg 166
societies norms which made her peers “reject”
her but its interesting to see some realize that
maybe she’s being herself and rejecting
norms.
Stargirl makes Leo discover things he never What does it mean to live in the present or
has. In this moment the reader realizes how being present?
important presence becomes when we help How does living in the present affect us
find ourselves, who we are to this world. positively or negatively?
Those who do not keep in touch with the In what ways do we live in the present and
environment as Stargirl does would’ve what ways do we not?
crushed them. Being conscious of the things
around you and what you do affecting others
is such a strong message. This is an effective
topic to address with middle school students
as it teaches appreciation over the little things
even if that might mean they aren’t wearing
the coolest brands.
Within the novel there have been multiple What do you think it means when someone
references to imitations and following says “He believes mockingbirds do more than
Stargirl. Something I thought about when this imitate other birds.”?
was referenced was what were the intentions Who would you consider a mockingbird?
of the students when they imitated or gave her Who would you consider “other birds”?
attention. I want to know how the students What were the intentions of the students when
analyzed these references and how their point they admire Stargirl?
of view might reflect this result. Do you believe in the saying “imitation is the
highest form of flattery”?
I believe this part of the book answers the Is Stargirl continuing the ways he acts for
whole conflict of what Stargirl’s intentions are attention?
with her actions. Here we see the continuation What does this quote tell us about whether she
of her behavior relevant when no one is does or not?
watching. Essentially this proves that her Do you think Stargirl cares for the attention?
intentions go beyond the thirst for attention. I
can see this discussion coming up and this

“When someone turned and nodded, I felt
grateful. If someone spoke to me,
especially if I had not spoken first, I
wanted to cry. I had never realized how
much I needed the attention of others to
confirm my own presence.” Pg 126
“In the eyed of the student body she was
part of my identity. I was ‘her boyfriend.’ I finding their identity through the people
was Mr. Stargirl.” Pg 127
quote might be able to address the
misinterpretation that she might be.
This quote really stuck out to me. On a What do you think sparked this realization in
personal level I really connect to this and if I Leo?
can I’m sure many people can say this as well. How do you think this quote adds to
In terms of middle school, egocentrically comparison between people like Leo and
thinking is very common. Here we see Leo people like Stargirl?
finally realizing himself how much he craved
the attention of others to form his own
identity. I find this an interest comparison
with Stargirl who clearly had her own identity
before she met anyone else/exposed it to
others. I think a lot of kids will relate to this
and see how Leo makes this realization
himself which also builds his identity.
Here we see an example of someone (Leo) Can someone summarize what Leo is talking
about here?
attached to him. I would like to discuss with Do you think the people we hang out with
my students if they believe that the people affect our reputation?
they hang out with reflect their reputation. I How does this affect the way we treat people?
think this is an important conversation to have Does this logic make sense? Is it fair?
in terms of surrounding ourselves with the
people we want. This might not necessarily
have to do with Leo surrounding himself with
Stargirl but this can bring in a good discussion
about surrounding ourselves with the right
people and friends as it may or may not affect
our reputation.
Adapted from Making Curriculum Pop: Developing Literacies in All Content Areas by Pam Goble, Ed.D. and Ryan R. Goble, M.A., copyright 2016.