ryner's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
Riding home with her good friend Khalil after a party, Starr and Khalil are pulled over by police. What begins ostensibly as a minor traffic stop ends in her worst nightmare: Khalil is shot to death by the police officer. The murder devastates Starr's community of Garden Heights, and she courageously joins in efforts in demanding justice for Khalil.
This was a raw, painful read, and one I'm unlikely ever to forget. The senses of dread and foreboding are palpable throughout, because — we're no idiots — we know there won't be a just, happy ending. Starr is the true hero of this story, always brave, even when her actions risk the safety of her family and relationships with her friends. The sense of futility in the face of police violence coupled with impunity is maddening and heartbreaking. Highly recommended this important book.
This was a raw, painful read, and one I'm unlikely ever to forget. The senses of dread and foreboding are palpable throughout, because — we're no idiots — we know there won't be a just, happy ending. Starr is the true hero of this story, always brave, even when her actions risk the safety of her family and relationships with her friends. The sense of futility in the face of police violence coupled with impunity is maddening and heartbreaking. Highly recommended this important book.
julieanncordero's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book! I loved how current it was and really makes you think.
bookreviewsbyniq's review against another edition
4.0
*TRIGGER WARNINGS-police brutality/racism*
16 year old Starr witnesses the death of her childhood friend, Khalil. She tries to keep being a witness a secret. Not just by anyone but a police officer. Better yet known as One Fifteen. After the funeral marches and riots take place. Soon after, Starr is asked to testify. Testifying comes with risks though…
In the mist of making a decision, she has a ton of emotions to deal with. Her family, friends, and boyfriend are by her side though. One Fifteen must be taken down! Every action has a consequence…Justice for Khalil must be served. Through the heartache & pain along with threats to their family will Starr prevail? Will she do it for the sake of her friend? Or…will she still keep things private?
This book was just as I hoped it would be. I loved the movie also.
16 year old Starr witnesses the death of her childhood friend, Khalil. She tries to keep being a witness a secret. Not just by anyone but a police officer. Better yet known as One Fifteen. After the funeral marches and riots take place. Soon after, Starr is asked to testify. Testifying comes with risks though…
In the mist of making a decision, she has a ton of emotions to deal with. Her family, friends, and boyfriend are by her side though. One Fifteen must be taken down! Every action has a consequence…Justice for Khalil must be served. Through the heartache & pain along with threats to their family will Starr prevail? Will she do it for the sake of her friend? Or…will she still keep things private?
This book was just as I hoped it would be. I loved the movie also.
therealmadmags's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-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? No
5.0
raemelle's review against another edition
5.0
This was good. Very good. I don’t usually read realistic fiction - but I’m glad I read this. I’m tired of just reading about what other white sjw’s have to say. Not that it’s not valid, but I think it’s even more important to hear about the hard stuff from the actual people it affects. I truly wish more Blue Lives Matter folks would read this. I wish more people in general could learn to have empathy.
Now as good as this book was, it was frustrating and definitely not fun to read. (I’ll admit, I had to balance it out by also reading a book of essays from a humor writer.)
Now as good as this book was, it was frustrating and definitely not fun to read. (I’ll admit, I had to balance it out by also reading a book of essays from a humor writer.)
milamoon's review against another edition
4.0
si legge veloce. la collana "young adults" è effettivamente azzeccata.
perché è un libro semplice, senza grandi introspezioni psicologiche, ma che illustra bene le dinamiche tra giovani coetanei e anche tra genitori e figli. racconta anche - nonostante non siano troppo frequenti della nostra penisola - le dinamiche del ghetto.
è un libro a cui si regalano facilmente 4 stelle perché - anche se non le meriterebbe (come intreccio, originalità della trama ed evoluzione dei personaggi), è una favola contemporanea che ci fa credere e sperare nei cambiamenti positivi e in una società migliore.
l'estate è finita e quindi anche gli ombrelloni: ma se siete pendolari o se viaggiate in metro, questo è il passatempo perfetto.
perché è un libro semplice, senza grandi introspezioni psicologiche, ma che illustra bene le dinamiche tra giovani coetanei e anche tra genitori e figli. racconta anche - nonostante non siano troppo frequenti della nostra penisola - le dinamiche del ghetto.
è un libro a cui si regalano facilmente 4 stelle perché - anche se non le meriterebbe (come intreccio, originalità della trama ed evoluzione dei personaggi), è una favola contemporanea che ci fa credere e sperare nei cambiamenti positivi e in una società migliore.
l'estate è finita e quindi anche gli ombrelloni: ma se siete pendolari o se viaggiate in metro, questo è il passatempo perfetto.
hatama02's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, Hate crime, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, and Violence