Stargirl, By Jerry Spinelli

Leo, actually, most anyone hasn't ever known anyone like Stargirl. She sings happy birthday at lunch while playing the banjo (http://www.barefootsworld.net/midijamboree.html#h), wears prairie skirts, smiles constantly and carries her best friend, a rat everywhere. She is blissfuly unaware of others' opinions of her "oddity" and is ready to make friends with everyone. It isn't until Stargirl and Leo become close that the pain of "normalcy" sinks in.
While reading Stargirl I thought of people I know like Stargirl. It always seemed these people were searching for something to "complete" them ( We do this a lot http://www.mybrotha.com/you-complete-me.asp). Although, upon finishing Stargirl, I began wondering if those of us so involved in the "normalcy" of fashion and media, etc... are missing out on the adventure and freedom of "oddity." Wouldn't it be fun to dress like Pippy Longstocking, wear sunglasses everyday, wear bright red lipstick, all black and a curly bleach blond bob, watch the sun set in the desert each night, roll in the snow then sit in a sauna, drive randomly and stop at interesting restaurants, give everyone hugs and actually have them hug back (http://www.freehugscampaign.org/), play in the rain, not fix your hair and roll in the mud, scream out when you love someone, wear flowers in your hair...?

Assassin, by Anna Myers

Assassin, by Anna Myers

Alternating passages narrated by John Wilkes Booth (http://www.nps.gov/archive/foth/booth.htm) and a young girl named Bella who becomes a seamstress for president Lincoln describe the events leading to Booth's assassanation of President Lincoln. From page one I was hooked. Booth is an actor as are Bella's parents and she is fascinated by his appeal on stage (Ford's Theater - http://www.civilwarphotos.net/files/images/633.jpg). But, when Bella's mother dies, her father takes her to live with a Grandmother she hardly knows and who despises the idea of acting. While Bella adjusts to life with her Grandmother and learns to sew in preparation take over her Grandmother's position at the White House, Lincoln (http://www.gallatindesign.com/websites/presidents/images/biopics/lincoln02.jpg)wins the presidential election, Booth joins the army to get closer to Lincoln and their lives become closer and closer to colliding.
I enjoy historical fiction and think Myers explored the thoughts of John Wilkes Booth well. The intertwining lives of the two characters makes me think of how I may be influenced by others and how it may be hard to avoid pressures of people we admire. Assassin is well written; Myers is wonderful at making the inner thoughts of Booth and Bella seem real.