This is one of the most important books to come out this year. The book is a very real look at police brutality against black people and perfectly portrays the impact it has; whether it be the lives of those who knew the victim, the media's reaction, and social media's reaction. It is strikingly written and difficult to read at times. The scene where Khalil is murdered had me shaking, Angie Thomas captures your attention in that scene. And reading it with the knowledge that this happens far to often has an effect on the reading experience. 
 The relationships between the characters is wonderfully written. I loved how Starr and Maya had each other's support and I really like that Chris, Starr's boyfriend who is white, really grew as a character. I at first wasn't sure what to think of him but he understood his experience as a white person was different from Starr's as a black person. 
 This is a book everyone, no matter age or race, should and needs to read.