Books Like Love, Stargirl

About Love, Stargirl

Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating the quiet, heavy transition of moving to a new town or the lingering ache of a first heartbreak. Written as a series of diary entries (the world's longest letter), it captures the internal world of Stargirl Caraway, a uniquely kind and eccentric girl who is struggling to find her footing after leaving her first love behind. It is a gentle, reflective choice for adolescents who feel like outsiders or those who are learning to channel their own sadness into empathy for others. The story follows Stargirl as she befriends an eclectic group of neighbors: a spunky six-year-old, an agoraphobic woman, and a mysterious boy who is hiding a difficult home life. While the book deals with themes of loneliness and the sting of rejection, it ultimately models how to build a chosen family and find beauty in the small moments of everyday life. It is highly appropriate for middle and high schoolers who appreciate emotional depth over fast-paced action.