What sets Stargirl apart from other girls?

With a character named Stargirl, a reader could only hope for someone fabulously captivating—and that is exactly what Jerry Spinelli delivers 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 life—someone 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.

What makes Stargirl immediately appear "different" from other students at Mica High School?

• First of all, Stargirl sticks out like a sore thumb at Mica High due to her unusual name. Who ever heard of someone called Stargirl? It's all too weird for the newbie's fellow students.
• Then there are the clothes she wears. She goes around wearing what appears to be an old wedding gown, certainly not the kind of thing you'd ordinarily see someone wearing at school. But then, as everyone at Mica High quickly realizes, Stargirl's far from ordinary.
• Her physical appearance is also different from other girls at school. For one thing, she doesn't wear make-up, which is virtually unheard-of there. And then there are those big eyes of hers, much bigger than anyone else's. Stargirl's shoulder-length sandy hair helps her stand out from the crowd, too.
• Stargirl has the unusual habit of carrying a ukulele around with her. A ukulele is a small stringed instrument like a miniature guitar. Not only does Stargirl insist on carrying around her ukulele everywhere she goes, she also plays it and sings along. This embarrasses and annoys most of the other students. Instead of joining Stargirl in a sing-along, they just stare at her as if she's an alien.

What makes the character Stargirl interesting?

Stargirl is actually a girl named Susan, but she prefers to go by "Stargirl."  At her school, the other students just want to fit in and be popular, but it becomes clear that Stargirl has no interest in fitting in.  This sets her apart from the other students almost immediately.  She doesn't wear makeup, and wears weird outfits every day. She decorates her desk at school and sings Happy Birthday to kids she doesn't know.  At sports games, she cheers for the other team.  She doesn't seemed concerned with being popular-she just wants to make everyone else around her happy.  Some of the other students accept her, while others are wary of her and think that she's just doing all of this for attention.