How is Stargirl different from other girls?

With a character named , a reader could only
hope for someone fabulously captivatingand that is exactly whatdelivers in this novel. But to
contrast Stargirl with "other girls" would require putting all "other girls"
in a box together, and that isn't really possible. Stargirl would probably not even be cool with
that herself. So let's instead look at how Stargirl is one of the most individualistic
characters of all time, regardless of gender.

Stargirl is
compassionate beyond measure. The girl sends thoughtful gifts anonymously to
unsuspecting people just to be kind. She cheers when a kid on the other team makes a basket. She
attends the funeral of a stranger. Stargirl doesn't just make a halfhearted effort to spread
love to the world; she really engages with people on a deep level. She seems to feel both the
world's collective pain and its joy and takes active measures to connect with people in both
situations. Sadly, many of her efforts only create anger and resentment at her school, isolating
her from the very people she cheers on. Which brings us to another unique personality
characteristic of Stargirl:

She really and truly doesn't seem
to care what people (collectively) think about her quirkiness. Lots of people lay
claim to this feeling, but as a whole, people dress and act a certain way because society and/or
the group they long to be a part of have particular expectations for these behaviors. Stargirl
dresses as she wants. She befriends whom she wants. She doesn't seem to care about the expected
social norms at her high school (even cheering for people who stop to pick up litter) and when
people get mad at Stargirl for acting very much like Stargirl, Leo notes
that "she did not seem to notice" (chapter 11).

One more
characteristic distinguishing Stargirl from the masses is that she seems to view
the world in endless beauty and full of fascinating possibilities. She takes time
to note the struggle of ants. She watches a lone man sitting on a park bench and dances in the
rain. Stargirl is a true free spirit who cannot be easily classified.

Stargirl represents one of those characters everyone longs to meet in real lifesomeone
who is passionate, loyal, and forever concerned with the welfare of the universe. Her unique
personality makes her one of literature's most unforgettable characters.