Student Question
In "Stargirl", how does Leo react to Stargirl's smile after thanking her for the card?
Quick answer:
Leo reacts to Stargirl's smile with overwhelming emotion, feeling as if it struck him harder than a baseball bat. Despite having received thousands of smiles before, this one feels unique and significant, marking the depth of his fascination and growing affection for Stargirl. He is so captivated by her that he even appreciates being teased as "Starboy" by other students, indicating his deepening connection to her.
"I wobbled through the rest of the day. A baseball bat could not have hit me harder than that smile did. I was sixteen years old. In that time, how many thousands of smiles had been aimed at me? So why did this one feel like the first?" (76-77) Up until this point the reader is well aware that Leo is absolutely fascinated with Stargirl. It is in this moment, however, that the reader discovers how much Leo has fallen for Stargirl. He does not even get upset when the other girls in school begin to call him "Starboy"; in fact, he rather likes it.
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