Student Question
What happens at the end of Jerry Spinelli's novel Stargirl?
Quick answer:
At the end of Stargirl, the titular character has left town, but her impact remains profound. Leo, now an adult, is still deeply affected by her and wonders if he will ever meet her again. His memories and hopes are reignited when he receives a porcupine necktie in the mail, likely from Stargirl, suggesting she remembers him too, even if they never reunite.
Although Stargirl's long since skipped town, it's difficult for people to stop talking about her—such is the enormous impact she had on their lives. Yet despite the general fascination with Stargirl, no one can really say that they ever got to know her well. And that bugs Leo. Even though he's now an adult, Leo can't stop thinking about Stargirl, and he wonders if he'll ever get the chance to meet up with her again and get to know her properly.
His memories of Stargirl and his hopes of seeing her again are kindled by a gift sent to him in the mail. It's a porcupine necktie, the kind that Leo's uncle in Pennsylvania once owned and that Leo used to collect as a hobby. The gift is anonymous, but it's almost certain that it came from none other than Stargirl herself. Even if Leo never gets a chance to see her again, at least he can be safe in the knowledge that Stargirl hasn't forgotten about him.
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