This book has been listed as a banned book based on vulgar language and police brutality. It was banned in schools and when it did come back kids were required to have a permission slip signed by their parents in order to check it out from the school libraries.
I had recently joined a banned book club where we read a banned book every month and this book was picked for April and I was really excited to see why parents and school leaders were so against this book. Continue reading to see my thoughts.
“What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?”
Direct quote from the book
About The Book
Author: Angie Thomas
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published Date: February 28th, 2017
Page Count: 454 Pages
Main Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Contemporary
GoodReads Rating: 4.50
“At an early age I learned that people make mistakes, and you have to decide if their mistakes are bigger than your love for them.”
Direct quote from book
Synopsis
Starr is a sixteen year old girl that lives in a poor neighborhood but attends school in the suburbs. Living two separate lives proves to be a big challenge but only gets worse when she witnesses her childhood friend get shot and killed by a police officer. Being the only witness to the murder, it quickly becomes Starr’s word against the officer’s.
The officer thought Kahlil had a gun: he didn’t. People believe Kahlil is a drug dealer: he had nothing on him. The officer thought Starr was a threat and kept his gun on her: she was compliant.
It is up to Starr to break the misconceptions and bring justice to her friend.
“People like us in situations like this become hashtags, but they rarely get justice. I think we all wait for that one time though, that one time when it ends right.”
Direct quote from the book
Rating
“Don’t let them put words in your mouth. God gave you a brain. You don’t need theirs.”
Direct quote from the book
Review
I knew this book was going to deep dive into the Black Lives Matter movement and I knew it was going to be an emotional and tough read; I wasn’t wrong.
My heart broke every other chapter in this book and I quickly fell in love with Starr’s brave character. I have no clue how she was strong enough to stand up for not only herself, but her friend who could no longer speak for himself. I am not sure I personally could have recovered from something this traumatic and gone on to find the same courage Starr did. I will forever remember this book and the strength real people find when coming face to face with these tragic and horrific events.
I truly believe that this is a book everyone needs to read at some point in their life. I personally can’t see why it was a banned book, but because it was banned it brought awareness to Starr’s story; a story that needs to be heard! This book really brings awareness to an issue that sadly is far too common these days and one that more people need to be educated on. It will break your heart but I promise that you won’t regret the time spent reading this amazing story.
“Your voices matter, your dreams matter, your lives matter. Be the roses that grow in the concrete.”
Direct quote from the book
QOTD: What is one of your most recommended book?
World of Bai 