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I had been itching to read this book for awhile and I was not disappointed. I like to read YA books, plus I heard lots of discussion and praise regarding the way this book handles issues like racism, police violence, and the Black Lives Matter movement. The book brings you into Starr’s world and even though her experiences are very different than my own, it was easy to relate to her. While  dealing with pretty heavy issues, the book also manages to include some humor. Definitely recommended reading!

“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.”

Check out the author’s website, or listen to her discuss the book in this interview on NPR.