Stargirl on Disney Plus March 13th!
Have you heard, Jerry Spinelli's YA novel Stargirl is coming on the big screen or should I say Disney + screen! What’s better, the book or the movie? Dare I say it, the movie is exceptional! It’s full of magic and wonderment.
Stargirl explores what kids go through in high school, tense emotions, how to express yourself when you’re insecure, feeling awkward and fist love. Oh first love, when you feel like the sun rises and sets with that one person.
Leo Borlock (played by Graham Verchere in the film), is an 11th grader at Mica High School. Our story begins with a flashback when his mother placed a newspaper announcement for Leos 14th birthday explaining his obsession with porcupine ties. It started when his Uncle Peter gifted Leo a porcupine-printed tie as a going-away present when he left Pennsylvania. A few days later, Leo receives a mysterious package on his front steps. Inside, a porcupine tie and from then on, year after year, new ties would arrive.
In comes, Stargirl (played by Grace VanderWaal ) who’s been homeschooled and literally marches to a beat of her own drum! Have you ever met someone that’s just themselves, meaning they didn’t care if anyone was talking about them, staring, well, this is Stargirl! Stargirl is the center of every conversation, wearing her kimonos, sunny flowery dresses, all smiles and greets everyone with a bright smile and keeps everyone cheerful with her lunchtime ukulele in the cafeteria.
Our story evolves into what every teenager desires and dreads, being accepted and then having your peers turn on you. To be part of the group, you must conform to society’s standards and doing what others find “acceptable and normal”.
When I asked Grace and Leo what they’d like their audience goers to walk away learning. Both stated that acceptance of who you are, what you want shouldn’t be compromised. That being weird and different should be embraced, to stand proud and tall and speak your truth. Stargirl reminds me of a quote I once heard, “Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.” ~ Lao Tzu
Be who you are, be proud of who you’ve become and have faith in yourself. This is what I walked away with, Stargirl is a family-friendly movie that shouldn’t be missed!