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ashley_nicole_bee's review against another edition
4.0
I really appreciate the perspective this book gave me. I feel like the plot is meant more for a younger audience like middle school, but I really appreciated the themes and the first hand look at things I have never and will never experience.
remmslupin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
elisajanning's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
angelastaples's review against another edition
5.0
This powerful book is great for both young adults and adults. I found the characters were convincing and it was impossible not to feel for them. The book deals with the difficult story of a young black woman's life in the aftermath of witnessing her friend being shot dead by a police officer. The story is current and relevant and punches it's weight on huge political issues while also being personal and moving on an individual level. The book made our summer reads reading list as a must-read for young adults and older readers.
christaj's review against another edition
4.0
Well written and insightful. I would have liked to see a stronger and more meaningful ending/resolution.
bookph1le's review against another edition
5.0
This book deserves all the praise it gets. I want to do it justice with an in-depth review, so I'll try to get one up soon. In the meantime, I'll say it's one of the best books I've read in 2017, and one of the best YA books I've read, period.
rachellarson2019's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t write a review after finishing the book initially, but the story and characters have stuck with me so I decided to come back and write one.
It’s a YA book so I was initially surprised by the amount of language that hits you in the first chapter. The book doesn’t spend a lot of time drawing out the character development before the main plot point happens, which I liked. The remainder of the book is spent introducing you to and developing the characters in the book and dealing with the fallout of the incident with the cop.
I’m obviously not a person of color and I don’t live in a low income metropolitan area so I can’t speak to the experiences in the book in a personal way. But there is something about the way this book is written that makes it all feel very realistic. None of the characters are one dimensional, many say or so problematic things, which just serves to make them feel like real people.
As a mother, the protest/riot scene towards the end of the book had me clutching my chest in fear. Teenagers, man.
Anyways, good book that isn’t forgettable in any way.
It’s a YA book so I was initially surprised by the amount of language that hits you in the first chapter. The book doesn’t spend a lot of time drawing out the character development before the main plot point happens, which I liked. The remainder of the book is spent introducing you to and developing the characters in the book and dealing with the fallout of the incident with the cop.
I’m obviously not a person of color and I don’t live in a low income metropolitan area so I can’t speak to the experiences in the book in a personal way. But there is something about the way this book is written that makes it all feel very realistic. None of the characters are one dimensional, many say or so problematic things, which just serves to make them feel like real people.
As a mother, the protest/riot scene towards the end of the book had me clutching my chest in fear. Teenagers, man.
Anyways, good book that isn’t forgettable in any way.
pbandjman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.75
Harrowing story that’s played out far too often. It made me stop and examine myself. It was good up to the end, which left me wanting more. It’s hard for the anti-cop messaging to ring true when they enable the deus ex machina moment