Characters 1
Seven’s half-sister and Starr’s friend; King’s daughter
Kenya
Starr’s boyfriend from Williamson
Chris
What was Khalil pulled over for?
A broken tail light
Uncle Carlos's job
Detective
What are some reasons Starr has for being angry with Hailey and Maya throughout the book?
Hailey unfollowed Starr on social media/Tumblr and stopped texting her. Hailey frequently says racist remarks. Hailey and Maya take part in the protest just to get out of class. Hailey is defensive of 115 instead of Khalik. Hailey wants an apology out of Starr when she finds out Starr knew Khalil.
Starr’s dad; was in jail for three years when she was young
Starr’s uncle; Helped raise Starr and her siblings
Carlos
The name of Starr's friend who died years ago
Natasha
Starr's and Chris's favorite show
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
How are Khalil and 115 portrayed by the Media throughout the book?
In the beginning, Khalil isn't even named, there is just an announcement of an officer-involved shooting. Then, Khalil is described as a suspected drug dealer. Eventually, it is announced that there may have been a gun in the car as well.
Officer 115 is described as a family man who feared for his life and just wanted to get home to his wife and kids. He had worked in the "drug ridden" neighborhood for years and wanted to help the people there.
Boy from Garden Heights who gets into trouble for stealing from King
DeVante
Seven’s mom; married to King
Iesha
Where Starr goes to school
Williamson
What does the news call Khalil?
A drug dealer
How are DeVante and Khalil Similar? How are they Different?
DeVante and Khalil both made the choice to sell drugs in order to support their families. Neither of them wanted to sell drugs but knew that they needed the money for one reason or another. DeVante joined the King Lords because they were more of a support system to him than his actual family (eg, keeping him fed, keeping the lights on, etc.). Khalil never joined the King Lords, but was selling drugs in order to pay off his mom's debt to King.
Khalil’s grandmother; helped Starr’s mother when Mav was in jail
Ms. Rosalie
Lawyer at Just Us for Justice who represents Starr
April Ofrah
Who shows up (unwelcome) at Khalil's funeral?
Word Mav uses to describe Uncle Carlos's neighborhood
Fake
How does Starr learn to use her voice in the book?
In the beginning, both Starr and her parents want Starr to remain anonymous. As the book goes on and Starr begins to stand up for herself to her friends and begin to speak up but not let people know who she is, she begins to gain confidence. Eventually, as she becomes angry she is confident enough to allow people to see and hear her message during the riot at the end of the book.
Khalil’s mom; addicted to drugs; Khalil was paying off her debt
Ms. Brenda
One of Starr’s friends; Starr calls her out for constantly saying racist remarks
Hailey
Who doesn't come to Seven's graduation party?
Iesha - his mom
Who sets Mav's store on fire?
Explain the importance of the phrase "Thug life"
Thug life comes from a Tupac song. Tupac explains that "the hate u give little infants effs everybody". Meaning that the hate and oppression that marginalized groups receive as youth comes back to bite society when those children grow up because they are unable to contribute back to society.