This is such a fantastic novel - I hope it becomes required reading for teenagers (though for people who are uncomfortable with language, violence, and sex maybe on the upper end of the teen years). It's a brilliant portrayal of family and community. It does a wonderful job of pulling you into Starr's world and showing you the reality of daily life, of police violence against African Americans, and of what can happen when neighbors support each other. The didactic elements of the novel - a combination of some Black history and recent past - are woven in nicely through lessons imparted to Starr and her siblings via her parents. The novel really is a breath of fresh air. It will wake you up and make you want to join Starr on her journey.