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joanna1905's review against another edition
4.0
A few years ago I was sitting at home on school holidays watching Dr. Phil (Obviously), and the episode saw Dr. Phil and Lisa Bloom discuss the murder of Trayvon Martin by a cop. I cried my eyes out, how could this be happening? An innocent kid killed for playing music too loud and having the audacity to have something in his back pocket - his murderer acquitted of all guilt. The episode opened my eyes, and unfortunately, in the last few years, they have been opened even wider as we continue to see white cops killing innocent POC for no reason what so ever. Trayvon's case certainly wasn't a once off - and that is why this book is so f**king important.
As expected this book was f**king iconic. After seeing the glowing reviews (particularly those by Emmabooks) I knew I would love this book and that it would become a super important piece of social commentary.
I'm going to preface this by saying I am super white, and I will never be able to fully understand what it's like for POC, especially those living in America but also in my home down under - because as much as we see the effects of racism and police brutality in the U.S. we also have some pretty significant issues regarding the way our justice system treats Indigenous Australians.
I love Starr, she's so undeniably strong watching her overcome her fear for the sake of justice was extraordinary but it was also heartbreaking. I can't possibly imagine what its like for POC who deal with these issues every single day and to know that justice will almost never be served.
I loved the family dynamic in this book, while things weren't perfect (though when are they ever), it was refreshing to see such a close-knit and loving family in YA - and I particularly adored how much Starrs mother loved Seven despite him being a product of her husband's indiscretion (Catelyn Stark should take some notes), while of course, it is the right thing to do and Seven can't be blamed for his fathers actions - it takes a strong women to do what Starr's mamma did and I respect it so much.
I also loved Starr and Chris's relationship, sure it had its problems and Chris was by no means perfect when it came to his understanding of race relations, but we saw him make a lot of progress and I'm glad we got to see Starr introduce both him and Maya into her home life (also side note - f**ck Hailey, I wanted to jump into the book and deck her myself.
In the one or two negative reviews, I've seen of this book the main criticism was the way white people are treated in this book /The/Irony/.
Reverse Racism...Does not exist...it's about as mythical as unicorns and mermaids.
Of course, Starr starts to become wary of white people - how could she not? what have white people ever done for her? Starr never insinuates that all white people are bad, but she recognizes the massive gap between the two haves of her life. She watched a white cop kill her innocent friend just because he was black - obviously, she's wary.
The point is, no matter how 'woke' white people try to be, we will never understand, we can't possibly know what it's like to be POC without experiencing it, no matter how much we try to educate ourselves. That is the reality, and it's about time we sit down and shut the hell up, stop trying to speak over POC folk and start listening for once.
And then there are the white jokes - white jokes are almost always founded upon harmless stereotypes, drinking a lot of Starbucks and eating unseasoned food, or as was mentioned in the book pronouncing Target 'Tar-jay' or how white people always split up in horror movies. Harmless stereotypes that, unlike black jokes aren't rooted in oppression. GENERALISATIONS ABOUT WHITE PEOPLE DON'T GET THEM KILLED. To me, it seems those who cried 'reverse racism' might have missed the point of this book - but that's just my opinion and they're entitled to theirs.
As much as I hoped the cop would be indited I think it was pretty pivotal that he wasn't - it highlights that if you're a white cop in the U.S you essentially have a 'get out of jail free card' to kill POC people and still keep your job.
This book is so important, and it's especially important for young adults these are real issues facing our world - a world that within the next few years we'll be in charge of. It's important for POC people to see their story and their struggle told and it's important for white folk to get a glimpse of this reality. To understand it; to fight like hell to change it.
In 2012 Trayvon Martin died at the hands of cops, in 2018 Stephon Clake an unarmed and innocent black man was killed in his backyard at the hands of cops. Pro Tip: if ya'll can't tell the difference between a gun and a cell phone then you have no business being a police officer or being anywhere around a firearm.
Trayvon, Micheal, Sandra, Stephon - dead because they lived in a country that has a media, a government and a justice system that teaches people that black people equal threats. That is some grade A bullshit #BLACKLIVESMATTER and I won't ever forget little Trayvon Martin who never got the justice he deserved.
Rest In Peace.
As expected this book was f**king iconic. After seeing the glowing reviews (particularly those by Emmabooks) I knew I would love this book and that it would become a super important piece of social commentary.
I'm going to preface this by saying I am super white, and I will never be able to fully understand what it's like for POC, especially those living in America but also in my home down under - because as much as we see the effects of racism and police brutality in the U.S. we also have some pretty significant issues regarding the way our justice system treats Indigenous Australians.
I love Starr, she's so undeniably strong watching her overcome her fear for the sake of justice was extraordinary but it was also heartbreaking. I can't possibly imagine what its like for POC who deal with these issues every single day and to know that justice will almost never be served.
I loved the family dynamic in this book, while things weren't perfect (though when are they ever), it was refreshing to see such a close-knit and loving family in YA - and I particularly adored how much Starrs mother loved Seven despite him being a product of her husband's indiscretion (Catelyn Stark should take some notes), while of course, it is the right thing to do and Seven can't be blamed for his fathers actions - it takes a strong women to do what Starr's mamma did and I respect it so much.
I also loved Starr and Chris's relationship, sure it had its problems and Chris was by no means perfect when it came to his understanding of race relations, but we saw him make a lot of progress and I'm glad we got to see Starr introduce both him and Maya into her home life (also side note - f**ck Hailey, I wanted to jump into the book and deck her myself.
In the one or two negative reviews, I've seen of this book the main criticism was the way white people are treated in this book /The/Irony/.
Reverse Racism...Does not exist...it's about as mythical as unicorns and mermaids.
Of course, Starr starts to become wary of white people - how could she not? what have white people ever done for her? Starr never insinuates that all white people are bad, but she recognizes the massive gap between the two haves of her life. She watched a white cop kill her innocent friend just because he was black - obviously, she's wary.
The point is, no matter how 'woke' white people try to be, we will never understand, we can't possibly know what it's like to be POC without experiencing it, no matter how much we try to educate ourselves. That is the reality, and it's about time we sit down and shut the hell up, stop trying to speak over POC folk and start listening for once.
And then there are the white jokes - white jokes are almost always founded upon harmless stereotypes, drinking a lot of Starbucks and eating unseasoned food, or as was mentioned in the book pronouncing Target 'Tar-jay' or how white people always split up in horror movies. Harmless stereotypes that, unlike black jokes aren't rooted in oppression. GENERALISATIONS ABOUT WHITE PEOPLE DON'T GET THEM KILLED. To me, it seems those who cried 'reverse racism' might have missed the point of this book - but that's just my opinion and they're entitled to theirs.
As much as I hoped the cop would be indited I think it was pretty pivotal that he wasn't - it highlights that if you're a white cop in the U.S you essentially have a 'get out of jail free card' to kill POC people and still keep your job.
This book is so important, and it's especially important for young adults these are real issues facing our world - a world that within the next few years we'll be in charge of. It's important for POC people to see their story and their struggle told and it's important for white folk to get a glimpse of this reality. To understand it; to fight like hell to change it.
In 2012 Trayvon Martin died at the hands of cops, in 2018 Stephon Clake an unarmed and innocent black man was killed in his backyard at the hands of cops. Pro Tip: if ya'll can't tell the difference between a gun and a cell phone then you have no business being a police officer or being anywhere around a firearm.
Trayvon, Micheal, Sandra, Stephon - dead because they lived in a country that has a media, a government and a justice system that teaches people that black people equal threats. That is some grade A bullshit #BLACKLIVESMATTER and I won't ever forget little Trayvon Martin who never got the justice he deserved.
Rest In Peace.
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
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!!!!