Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Angie Thomas's searing debut about an ordinary girl in extraordinary circumstances addresses issues of racism and police violence with intelligence, heart, and unflinching honesty. Soon to be a major motion picture from Fox 2000/Temple Hill Productions.
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.
But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.
My Review:
This book was just absolutely amazing! The main story line was her friend and his murder at the hands of a cop, but there were other things going on. Like her half brother's family and how that dad was treating them. And the raising tensions because of the reactions to Khalil. Yeah. So much!
To start off, I have two thoughts. One, I know why this book was so well received and had such hype. Because yeah, it is that good. Two, I don't know why it took me so long to read it! I mean, it sounded really good, but sometimes I'm afraid of those books, you know?
The reality of this book is that yeah, there are incidents where things go utterly wrong, and in the aftermath, justice doesn't happen, and lives are torn apart and really, I can't find the words. I don't have the means of written articulation needed to talk about this. Besides, who cares what a white girl with privilege and no real insights into the situation has to say? Besides that more people should talk and work on this?
That her friend was killed because he was black, and leaned in to talk to her and the cop violently overreacted, that was horrible. And that they didn't convict him, didn't punish him, yeah, that was hard to read!
I think the best funny moment was near the end, with the family at the new house, and the prayer, how the mom interrupted and added thanks for her mom and building the basement into a suite for the grandmother to stay sometimes, and the dad was "No, Lord" "Yes, Lord" that back and forth was hilarious, and a good moment to have among the serious nature of the Black Lives Matter movement.
This book was so great and incredible-and more, it's important!
Author: Angie Thomas
Read: December 27th, 2017
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a DAC Book and a SAC 2017 Book!
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: February 28th 2017
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| /5 Hearts |
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| /5 Books |
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| /5 Stars |
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