This book is important. I don't know how you get people to read books in schools, but this should be one of them.

If you aren't black, you will never fully understand what black people go through. When a white person in this book tells Starr that she understands what she's going through, she's wrong. However, you can listen, learn, and be compassionate. This book helps with that. It can give you a look in at someone else's life and teach you to BE COMPASSIONATE.

I can't remember the exact quote, but a huge takeaway from this book is that people are more than their actions. Someone doing something (like selling drugs) that you view as a negative action doesn't define someone.

I really enjoyed seeing Starr grow as a character. She learns a lot, and really finds her voice. Her character arc was very well-written.

This book is not anti-police. It is anti-injustice. It covers grey areas - there are good and bad black people, white people, cops, adults, kids, etc. Khalil was killed by a cop, and another character was killed by a civilian. Nobody is inherently good or bad.

I highly recommend this book!