http://angiethomas.com/books
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. –– ADVERTISEMENT –– Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS – with just one or two of the comments
we had in general and for this question.
1. As Starr and Khalil listen to Tupac, Khalil explains what
Tupac said “Thug Life” meant. Discuss the meaning of the term “Thug Life” as an
acronym and why the author might have chosen part of this as the title of the
book. In what ways do you see this in society today? (Chapter 1, p. 17)
- (LIFE) “Little infant fucks everybody” means the hate you
give little infants fucks everybody as they grow.
2. Chapter 2 begins with Starr flashing back to two talks
her parents had with her when she was young. One was about sex (“the usual
birds and bees”). The second was about what precautions to take when
encountering a police officer (Chapter 2, p. 20). Have you had a similar
conversation about what to do when stopped by the police? Reflect upon or imagine
this conversation.
- Some of us said we were taught to go to police when we
have an emergency.
- Others were taught to show hand, be nice, talk slowly,
etc. so as not to be seen as a target
- Others were taught not to talk to anyone
3. Thomas frequently uses motifs of silence and voice
throughout the book. Find instances in the book where silence or voice and
speech are noted, and talk about the author’s possible intentions for
emphasizing these motifs.
- Pauses are ways for Starr to talk to herself or the
audience (break the third wall)
4. At the police station after Starr details the events
leading up to the shooting, the detective shifts her focus to Khalil’s past.
Why do you think the detective did this? Discuss Starr’s reaction to this “bait”
(Chapter 6, pp. 102–103).
- “Are you putting Kahlil and Star on trial?” is her
comeback because she knows it is shifting focus from the murderous cop
5. Once news of Khalil’s shooting spreads across the
neighborhood, unrest arises: “Sirens wail outside. The news shows three patrol
cars that have been her poor, urban neighborhood. This gripping debut novel by
Angie Thomas echoes conversations about police brutality dominant in the news
and moves readers beyond Twitter hashtags. Readers will feel energized to
promote and advance social justice against police brutality and racism set
ablaze at the police precinct . . . A gas station near the freeway gets looted
. . . My neighborhood is a war zone” (Chapter 9, pp. 136–139). Respond to this
development and describe some parallels to current events.
- Rodney King verdict
- Riots when police officers do not receive consequences
- Is it mob mentality?
6. How do you think Starr would define family? What about
Seven? How do you define it?
- biology vs. supportive relationships vs. community
7. Chris and Starr have a breakthrough in their
relationship—Starr admits to him that she was in the car with Khalil and shares
the memories of Natasha’s murder (Chapter 17, pp. 298–302). Discuss why Starr’s
admission and releasing of this burden to Chris is significant. Explore the
practice of “code switching” and discuss how you might code switch in different
circumstances in your own life.
- how we identify is different social/cultural groups
- how strong accents are, if you are from another country
- “native” speaker or user of technology vs. learning a
language or technology
- boss vs. peers
- public vs. private
8. How does the neighborhood react to the grand jury’s
decision and why (Chapter 23)? How does Starr use her voice as a weapon, and
why does she feel that it is vital that she does? Refer back to “Thug Life” and
discuss how the acronym resonates in this chapter.
- in the face of racism, finding your voice
- she takes the microphone and tells her story
9. Starr pledges to “never be quiet” Chapter 26, p. 444.
After reading this book, how can you use your voice to promote and advance
social justice? Reflect on how you and your community discuss and address
inequality.
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