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mightymegan25's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Grief
66brookeb's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
I had very high expectations for this book, and it’s not that the expectations weren’t met, it just wasn’t as good as I had expected it to be.
The message in the book is amazing, and it’s something that needs to be spread and I thing that Thomas did an amazing job with it.
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, and Police brutality
alexashabit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Violence, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
thescenery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Starr Carter is a 15-year-old black teenager. Her friend is killed by a police officer in the early chapters of the book, right in front of her. Starr's journey is an attempt to reconcile what she calls "two worlds." As the main witness to Khalil's murder, she watches as some label Khalil as a criminal, others as a drug dealer, insinuating his involvement with a gang and justifying his killing, despite Khalil being unarmed.
The reader follows Starr's process of grieving as she experiences sadness, anger, and the weight of injustice. She also deals with her relationship with her white boyfriend and feels guilt for not being able to help Khalil. Amidst it all, Starr is called to testify and share her account with various legal and media outlets, receiving support from her lawyer, who is also an activist.
Starr's lawyer encourages her to use her voice as a witness and as a young black girl to seek justice not only for Khalil but also for many other children, teenagers, and adults who have been victims of unjust killings. Starr learns that her voice is important, and her perspective is essential.
It was written phenomenally, the characters were amazing, and intense. Some made me angry, some made me love them as the chapters went by. I'm sad I took way too long to read this book, because it's very good. It made me cry, and laugh, even if I'm not a fan of books about teenagers. I super recommend it!
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Grief
Moderate: Child death and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse and Drug abuse
kjmarino's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Murder
ashley_mrose530's review against another edition
- 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
This book made me tear up so many times and it was so hard to keep those tears back while I was at work. I really wish this wasn’t still our current reality but I liked that the book didn’t sugarcoat it and make it seem like everything was going to be fine soon. Instead it left us with a message that everyone needs to continue to work together to change the system and we shouldn’t stop doing the right thing no matter what. We should always be trying to make things better than they were before.
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
emileesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Drug use and Racism
birdie770's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction and Cancer
madzie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Addiction
lennybiird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Racial slurs and Xenophobia