4.5 stars

This was such a wonderful and important read. This book is one of those you keep thinking about.
You really just follow Starr in her life. It is not just about her being a witness to a Khalil's death.
This book is about identity. It is about Starr, who is one of the few Afro-Americans going to a white school. Starr in Garden Heights etc.
This book is about family. It really wonderfully shows Starr's family which I really have come to love.
This book also shows how important language is.

Spoiler

Starr speaks differently depending on who is around her. And I think we all do. For example, I use different words when I talk to customers than when I talk to my friends. It might be to a lesser degree than how Starr chooses to different identities but it is familiar all the same.

This book also asks very important questions.

Spoiler

Does it matter that Khalil was allegedly a drug dealer? Khalil, a 16-year-old boy? In my opinion, it was not relevant in the moment the police officer was if it really was a broken tail light.

If grown men in America's police force are so afraid of black boys that only shows that something is fundamentally wrong in the US.
I really wish this was just a beautiful piece of fiction, however, it just shows one person's point of view which unfortunately is probably very relevant for a lot of black people in America (and probably even beyond that).

I recommend this book to everyone.