How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
Kevin Quinlan and I usually agreed on everything. We had been best friends since arriving in Arizona the same week for four years before. We both thought the prickly pear cactus looked like Ping-Pong paddles with whiskers, and that saguaros looked like dinosaur mittens. We both loved strawberry-banana smoothies (3.15)
How important is it in a friendship to like a lot of the same things? Is it okay to disagree on some things, too? Kevin and Leo seem like great friends, but by the end of the novel, we're wondering if their friendship was based entirely on having things in common, and nothing deeper.
Quote #2
"I want to put her on Hot Seat. Dorko Borlock here doesn't want to (7.48).
Do you think it is okay for best friends to call each other names, even if they are just trying to be "funny"? Kevin just might be confusing humor and general jerkiness. Not a good idea, dude.
Quote #3
The change began around Thanksgiving. By December first, Stargirl Caraway had become the most popular person in school (8.1).
Stargirl may have become the most popular girl in school, but we have to ask: does she actually have any friends? We're betting that all her followers would consider themselves friends of hers, but we're thinking Dori is the only true one.
Quote #4
In my homeroom, when the announcement came over the PA about Stargirl winning the district title, I was about to let out a cheer, but I caught myself. Several people booed (20.3).
Are Leo's actions in this situation the actions of a friend? What would a good friend have done in this situation? Cheered anyway, perhaps?
Quote #5
I understood why this was happening to me. In the eyes of the student body, she was part of my identity. I was "her boyfriend." I was Mr. Stargirl (23.5).
Calm down, Leo. There are worse things in the world than being Mr. Stargirl. Despite the dramatics, Leo is actually touching upon a pretty important truth here. The people that we surround ourselves with reflect who we are in many ways. If we surround ourselves with people who lie, cheat, and steal, we are saying that those things are acceptable and fine with us. If we surround ourselves with people who are kind and interesting, then that is what we are saying is acceptable to us.
Quote #6
"Something's gotta change," I said. "That's all I know."
"You mean like change clothes? Or change a tire? Should I change the tire on my bike? Would that do it?"
"You're not funny. You know what I mean."
She saw I was upset. Her face got serious (25.7-10).
We do know what Leo means here. He means that she has to change who she is or they will break up. Way to be a friend, Leo. Way to be a friend.
Quote #7
"So," I said, "what happened when you asked Dori Dilson?"
"She said no. She's mad at me."
"I could tell."
"Ever since I became Susan. She thinks I betrayed myself" (27.11-13).
Dori is mad at Susan, but we can't help but let out a little cheer for this ninth grader. We think the fact that she's mad at Stargirl is actually an indication that she is Stargirl's one true friend. She's loyal in the way that truly counts.
Quote #8
She stood apart from the teachers, alone in the black shimmering sea of asphalt. As we approached, she held up a sign, a huge cardboard sign bigger than a basketball backboard. She set the sign on edge and propped it up, erasing herself. The red painted letter said: WAY TO GO, SUSAN WE'RE PROUD OF YOU (29.22-23).
Dori is such a wonderful friend. Seriously, Shmoop would love to have her around because she's the kind of girl who always has your back. No matter how much her friendship with Stargirl threatens her own standing at Mica High, Dori will stand up for her girl. She's good people. 'Nough said.
Quote #9
I waited until the last of the students had left the courtyard, and Stargirl and Dori were performing for no one. To my surprise they went on and on. It was too painful to watch. I left school by another door (30.42)
The contrast between Dori and Leo is so drastic here that we can't help but compare the two. Dori is there by Stargirl's side when no one else is, and Leo runs in the opposite direction.
Quote #10
Within seconds a long line was snaking across the dance floor. Stargirl led the way. And suddenly it was December again, and she had the school in her spell.
Almost every couple joined in (31.27)
Stargirl ends the novel with renewed popularity after showing up and having a great time at the ball by herself. She's her own best friend. But we have to ask: are these people she's dancing with her true friends? Or are they just riding the popularity train once more?