The story follows Starr Carter, a 16-year-old African American girl who witnesses her childhood friend Khalil being fatally shot by a white police officer during a traffic stop. Starr grapples with the trauma of this event while navigating her dual life - living in the poor, predominantly black neighborhood of Garden Heights and attending an elite, mostly white private school. After Khalil's death, Starr finds her voice and becomes an activist, speaking out about the shooting and the injustice faced by the black community. This leads to increasing social tensions and a riot after the grand jury decides not to indict the police officer. The novel explores also Starr's personal growth and self-discovery as she transforms from a silent observer to a vocal advocate for her community. It delves into issues like code-switching, the model minority myth, and the psychological impact of racial violence.

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