Written in diary entry form, we follow Stargirl as she finds herself again, after losing nearly all her joy pebbles from Leo's desertion. Stargirl returnes to home-schooling and we get to meet her quirky mom and dad in this novel, and fall in love with them too, along with a vivid cast of unusual characters. Stargirl makes a few missteps on the road to re-becoming herself, and I admit I worried about her as, at times, she seemed to be turning a bit too ordinary - not noticing all the joy-giving things around her. I was especially concerned with her interest in the town thief!

Would Stargirl become what Perry accused her of being: a typical girl? Never fear, Spinelli never disappoints and the novel manages to be captivating, touching, suspenseful, funny and all-together delightful.