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4.58 AVERAGE
4.58 AVERAGE
Such an important read for anyone, no matter who you are or where you come from.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
We need more books like this in the world.
This is a book that I feel should be required reading in high schools across North America. There is little better than a book meant to evoke feeling (not just facts) to enable people who are less familiar with these issues become better aware of them and the consequences of them.
For me personally, I may not come from the same kind of background, but at its core is something I understand all too well: how it feels when something traumatic happens, and so much of the world (including the institutions who are supposed to help you) prefer to erase or deny your experience than confront and deal with it appropriately. The consequences of that act of betrayal - of people preferring to bury their heads in the sand rather than admit something was screwed up, or worse, turning it around (with whatever lies and half-truths might be necessary) to somehow make it the victim's fault - is a rage that anyone who has experienced even a piece of it should be able to understand and relate to. I know I do.
There are so many things that I love about this book and that I think are so important in a world that refuses the experiences and voices of so many that I could not list them all. And from my experience, all people (and especially white, privileged people) should read this - with an open mind and a recognition of the privileges each of us has, and those we don't. It is not an attack on white people. It is not an "excuse" for people of colour who have rioted violently against an unjust system. It is an experience, a troubled dichotomy that we all need to reckon with in order to make the world a better place. And it is a much-needed conversation starter.
This is a book that I feel should be required reading in high schools across North America. There is little better than a book meant to evoke feeling (not just facts) to enable people who are less familiar with these issues become better aware of them and the consequences of them.
For me personally, I may not come from the same kind of background, but at its core is something I understand all too well: how it feels when something traumatic happens, and so much of the world (including the institutions who are supposed to help you) prefer to erase or deny your experience than confront and deal with it appropriately. The consequences of that act of betrayal - of people preferring to bury their heads in the sand rather than admit something was screwed up, or worse, turning it around (with whatever lies and half-truths might be necessary) to somehow make it the victim's fault - is a rage that anyone who has experienced even a piece of it should be able to understand and relate to. I know I do.
There are so many things that I love about this book and that I think are so important in a world that refuses the experiences and voices of so many that I could not list them all. And from my experience, all people (and especially white, privileged people) should read this - with an open mind and a recognition of the privileges each of us has, and those we don't. It is not an attack on white people. It is not an "excuse" for people of colour who have rioted violently against an unjust system. It is an experience, a troubled dichotomy that we all need to reckon with in order to make the world a better place. And it is a much-needed conversation starter.
Really interesting and timely topic. Not the best written YA novel out there. The characters at time seem too simple and flat, especially the secondary ones.
That said, I think it’s important to welcome this topic and more books like it so that better written ones can be received as well. It’s a tough topic and important for youth (and older) from all backgrounds to read.
That said, I think it’s important to welcome this topic and more books like it so that better written ones can be received as well. It’s a tough topic and important for youth (and older) from all backgrounds to read.
While this book is about dealing with police brutality both individually and communally, it’s also about so much more that I was not expecting. Thomas possesses an uncanny ability to maintain a focused plot while exploring Black identity and experiences from more perspectives than I would have ever considered trying to juggle with an already weighty plot. Her layering of those identities and experiences created one of the most detailed snapshots of Black existence I've seen in popular fiction. I also appreciated the way she took concepts that get discussed often in social justice work (e.g., microaggressions, allyship, privilege) and showed what they mean without having to describe them. I had mixed feelings about her use of internet culture and social media in the book (particularly when the use was unexplained like the Vine that is mimicked in the first chapter), but it didn’t impede my sense that this is a good book that will be relevant for years to come.
This. Can someone please put this in school curriculums as a book that everyone must read? It's such an important story. The writing was incredible. The narrator (audiobook) was perfect. I have so many good things to say about this novel but I will leave you to read and find out for yourself. The best book I've read this year.
One of the best books I’ve read. Definitely my favorite book I’ve read this year.
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use
emotional
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such an amazing and powerful read. I honestly don’t know where to begin.
Starr is such a strong and amazing FMC. She works so hard to overcome her fear and trauma. It’s depicted in such a realistic and heartbreaking way.
The portrayal of her amazing family. A hardworking mother who overcame teenage pregnancy, a devoted father who turned his life around after a drug conviction and realized the best thing he could do was support his family and community, a protective older brother struggling to balance two family lives, and a sweet younger brother who is to young to understand the complex social events happening around him.
Such strong and realistic family dynamics. This story dives right into harsh and sensitive topics and manages to give them all the attention they deserve.
Seeing Khalil’s impact on his family and community even after he is gone was so emotional and powerful. Seeing the many ways this devastation can affect a community was amazing.
I especially loved seeing Starr come to terms with her two different lives combing.
I could rant about this amazing book for hours but to put it simply you have to read it to understand what a phenomenal job this author did and addressing this devastating topic.
Starr is such a strong and amazing FMC. She works so hard to overcome her fear and trauma. It’s depicted in such a realistic and heartbreaking way.
The portrayal of her amazing family. A hardworking mother who overcame teenage pregnancy, a devoted father who turned his life around after a drug conviction and realized the best thing he could do was support his family and community, a protective older brother struggling to balance two family lives, and a sweet younger brother who is to young to understand the complex social events happening around him.
Such strong and realistic family dynamics. This story dives right into harsh and sensitive topics and manages to give them all the attention they deserve.
Seeing Khalil’s impact on his family and community even after he is gone was so emotional and powerful. Seeing the many ways this devastation can affect a community was amazing.
I especially loved seeing Starr come to terms with her two different lives combing.
I could rant about this amazing book for hours but to put it simply you have to read it to understand what a phenomenal job this author did and addressing this devastating topic.