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katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Powerful, upsetting contemporary story of racism, hate and courage
Starr lives in a ghetto but goes to school in a wealthy area, where she is the only black female student. Straddling both worlds with some success, the world is brutally torn apart as a friend is shot by the police after the car they are driving in together is pulled over.
As witness, she gives her statement - will her friend receive justice? Starr must tread a fine line between her home neighbourhood and that of her school, with threats to her family and herself, while grieving for her childhood friend and trying to understand a system that seems prejudiced against a young man for the colour of his skin and perceived flaws.
It's quite a shocking read, with real danger and violence. And the fact that this is the twenty-first century and still happening makes this a contemporary read that could generate important discussions.
I liked Starr as protagonist, and desperately wanted to know how the case against the police officer who killed Khalil would go, though we aren't permitted into the courtroom, only hearing about the case second hand. The story is about Starr and her friends and how they cope with the decision and their own moral decisions.
The link between the Tupac song and the title is well used in the book, both openly and as a theme. It makes it points well, and for a white British woman, this is far removed from my own experiences, as it will be for many teenagers reading it. I also liked Starr's dad, a former convict (the reasons for which come late in the book) and family, who were tight-knit and supportive.
It's a powerful story, and timely. Because of the language and violence, it would be suitable for ages 12 and above, possibly KS4 in particular.
With thanks to Walker Books for the advance reading copy.
Powerful, upsetting contemporary story of racism, hate and courage
Starr lives in a ghetto but goes to school in a wealthy area, where she is the only black female student. Straddling both worlds with some success, the world is brutally torn apart as a friend is shot by the police after the car they are driving in together is pulled over.
As witness, she gives her statement - will her friend receive justice? Starr must tread a fine line between her home neighbourhood and that of her school, with threats to her family and herself, while grieving for her childhood friend and trying to understand a system that seems prejudiced against a young man for the colour of his skin and perceived flaws.
It's quite a shocking read, with real danger and violence. And the fact that this is the twenty-first century and still happening makes this a contemporary read that could generate important discussions.
I liked Starr as protagonist, and desperately wanted to know how the case against the police officer who killed Khalil would go, though we aren't permitted into the courtroom, only hearing about the case second hand. The story is about Starr and her friends and how they cope with the decision and their own moral decisions.
The link between the Tupac song and the title is well used in the book, both openly and as a theme. It makes it points well, and for a white British woman, this is far removed from my own experiences, as it will be for many teenagers reading it. I also liked Starr's dad, a former convict (the reasons for which come late in the book) and family, who were tight-knit and supportive.
It's a powerful story, and timely. Because of the language and violence, it would be suitable for ages 12 and above, possibly KS4 in particular.
With thanks to Walker Books for the advance reading copy.
megn317's review against another edition
5.0
What a relevant and timely book.
I loved it.
Proverbs 31:8 “speak for those who have no voice”
Loved the characters the story and the message.
I loved it.
Proverbs 31:8 “speak for those who have no voice”
Loved the characters the story and the message.
thekristinashow's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
4.0
jovanas_cloud's review against another edition
5.0
This must be one of the best books I had ever read for one of my courses. I will admit I teared up and cried several times throughout the book.
There are several points I want to discuss about.
Firstly, I absolutely love the family dynamic between the kids and parents, but also between half-siblings. I imagine this is what my sisters and I would be like if we were closer in age, like Seven, Starr, Sekani, Kenya and Lyric are. I love how supportive and present Starr's dad Maverick is, just seeing their relationship definitely made me tear up a couple of times.
Secondly, I feel like Angie did amazingly with tackling the black stereotypes and microaggressions. Every time Starr tackled someone's microaggression and racism she would explain why it was harmful to say/do that and I just feel since this is a YA book, it provides the younger readers with an understanding why not to say/do stuff like Hailey and Chris. I reckon this aspect of the book really helped me too in a similar sense, providing me with a perspective I could never witness in real life, since I'm white and live in a white country with almost no racial minority.
Thirdly, the book is realistic. Unfortunately, it is realistic in the way how Khalil was murdered, how the One-Fifteen's dad went on national television and portrayed his son a victim, when he was the one behind the gun. Painting Khalil as a thug and a drug dealer who deserved to die, because he would have been murdered by someone else. The verdict that One Fifteen was not guilty. It's all too real and we have all seen it happen in real life. The most recent case I can remember being George Floyd, when media and Chauvin's team tried to portray that he deserved to die because he was a drug addict.
Fourthly, I love that Angie wrote this as YA book which allowed her to play with the narration, and to use dialogue the way she used it. It felt much truer since it was from Starr's perspective, who is 16 years old.
Overall, it was truly an amazing, serious yet fun book. I cannot wait to find time and read the prequel about Maverick and his story.
There are several points I want to discuss about.
Firstly, I absolutely love the family dynamic between the kids and parents, but also between half-siblings. I imagine this is what my sisters and I would be like if we were closer in age, like Seven, Starr, Sekani, Kenya and Lyric are. I love how supportive and present Starr's dad Maverick is, just seeing their relationship definitely made me tear up a couple of times.
Secondly, I feel like Angie did amazingly with tackling the black stereotypes and microaggressions. Every time Starr tackled someone's microaggression and racism she would explain why it was harmful to say/do that and I just feel since this is a YA book, it provides the younger readers with an understanding why not to say/do stuff like Hailey and Chris. I reckon this aspect of the book really helped me too in a similar sense, providing me with a perspective I could never witness in real life, since I'm white and live in a white country with almost no racial minority.
Thirdly, the book is realistic. Unfortunately, it is realistic in the way how Khalil was murdered, how the One-Fifteen's dad went on national television and portrayed his son a victim, when he was the one behind the gun. Painting Khalil as a thug and a drug dealer who deserved to die, because he would have been murdered by someone else. The verdict that One Fifteen was not guilty. It's all too real and we have all seen it happen in real life. The most recent case I can remember being George Floyd, when media and Chauvin's team tried to portray that he deserved to die because he was a drug addict.
Fourthly, I love that Angie wrote this as YA book which allowed her to play with the narration, and to use dialogue the way she used it. It felt much truer since it was from Starr's perspective, who is 16 years old.
Overall, it was truly an amazing, serious yet fun book. I cannot wait to find time and read the prequel about Maverick and his story.
perchedinthedark505's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
esorensen22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
inook_u's review against another edition
5.0
It had kicked Perks of Being Wallflower off the top of my most favourite book of all time!!!!
annabel__b's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0