Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Stargirl, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Individuality and Conformity
Human Nature
Seeing, Visibility, and Invisibility
Friendship, Love, and Social Pressure
Summary
Analysis
At first, Leo tries to convince himself that Stargirl gave everybody a Valentine. At lunch, however, Stargirl—who’s been acting uncharacteristically subdued—detours to Leo’s table. Leo panics and bolts for the exit, even after Stargirl follows him and says, “Hi, Leo.” He replays her voice in his head all night.
Leo’s ambivalence about Stargirl is more than just his shyness. While he has genuine feelings for her, he’s also uncomfortable being associated with her in public.
Themes
The next day, Leo, Kevin, and about 15 other kids show up at Archie’s house for a meeting of the Loyal Order of the Stone Bone. Archie listens as the kids vent their devastation about the basketball loss. He shows them the skull of a prehistoric fox-like creature and says that this guy lost his championship game, too; and not only that, he never showed up again.
Archie is enigmatic as usual, but his words challenge the kids to put the devastation of their loss into a larger perspective—it isn’t the end of the world for them. He challenges them to be resilient.
Themes
