A novel ripped from the headlines
but in this case, we are given unlimited access to the thoughts and feelings of
the central character. What an eye-opener that is for the reader! You may have
heard of this book even if you haven’t read it yet. A debut novel, it quickly because a New York
Times best seller for this Mississippi author.
Starr Carter lives in a poor,
black neighborhood and attends school at a posh suburban prep school. It’s like
she’s trying to balance two separate lives. After attending a party in the
neighborhood that breaks up due to a fight and gunshots, Starr is in the car
with her childhood friend, Khalil, when they are pulled over by police. In
front of her eyes, the unarmed Khalil is shot and killed by police. Starr is
thrust into the aftermath – social unrest, police investigation, grand jury
testimony, media coverage – all while trying to deal with her grief and anger.
This is a well-told story. There
are too many components to mention them all. Starr’s father wants to stay in
the neighborhood; Starr’s mother wants to move to the suburbs. Starr’s
boyfriend is white, and her father doesn’t know about him. One of Starr’s best
friends at school is a racist that doesn’t even realize she is one (and it
takes Starr a while to figure that out). Khalil might have been a drug dealer
but if he is, will you be sympathetic when you hear why? Starr wants to do the
right thing but she is scared and what she says or does not say may destroy her
community and endanger her life and the life of her family.
I agree with a review I read that
this is a book that should be read by everyone, not just teens.
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