Wow. My favorite book this month, and I bet will be one of my year's bests. Read. It. 
 "And to every kid in Georgetown and in all 'the Gardens' of the world: your voices matter, your dreams matter, your lives matter. Be roses that grow in the concrete." 
 The Hate U Give is a new fiction novel about a young black American girl, Starr, who witnesses her childhood friend shot by a cop. What follows is a situation inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement, with Starr and her family at the center of the crisis. If I were to attempt criticism of any sort, it's that there's a LOT going on in the plot. But DAMN if it isn't handled astoundingly! So well-plotted, well-rounded, ever readable, and compelling even when excruciating. I sped through all 444 pages. 
 I want to also praise Angie Thomas's gift with comedic relief and genuine family dialogue. I couldn't help but laugh in public, and then two paragraphs later feel my eyes water up. Thomas has kinda got it all. I will absolutely be looking for her next novel. Read this. Recommend this.