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3
At school on Monday, Starr feels tense around Hailey and Chris, her white friend and boyfriend. Then, Starr goes into the police station after school with her mother, Lisa, to testify about Khalil’s shooting. Starr realizes that the officers are asking more questions. Starr blames herself for the police’s inaction. -
6
The tensions and feuds running through come to a head with the grand jury decision over whether to arrest the officer who shot Khalil. When the jury fails to indict, protests and riots take over Garden Heights.King takes advantage of the chaos to set fire to Maverick’s store while Starr, Chris, Seven, and DeVante are trapped inside. With Maverick’s help, they manage to escape; the neighborhood turns on King, getting him arrested for arson. -
4
The tragedy of Khalil’s death tears through a neighborhood already fragmented by drugs and violence from deeply entrenched gangs. Starr’s father, Maverick, is a former gang member who spent time in prison before he could extricate himself from the street life. His long-standing feud with Kenya’s father, King—a gangster who effectively runs the neighborhood—puts Starr’s family in constant danger. -
5
Starr’s mother, Lisa, argues with Maverick about whether the family should move out of Garden Heights. At first, Maverick didn't want to because he believes he can best improve Garden Heights when he is living in it. The family moves to the suburbs, but Starr’s brother Seven—who lives with Kenya and King—remains torn between the urge to stay and protect his mother and sisters, and the desire to attend college outside of the city. -
7
With the promise of Carlos’s protection, DeVante agrees to serve as witness to King’s drug-dealing schemes, removing him from the neighborhood’s gang scene and ending his abuse towards Kenya and Seven’s mother. Maverick also grows to accept Chris, inviting his daughter’s boyfriend to go boxing with him. Starr making a promise to Khalil’s memory: she won’t remain silent, and will continue fighting against injustice. -
1
Starr Carter, a sixteen-year-old black girl, attends a party in her neighborhood, Garden Heights. Starr goes with Kenya, one of her friends. Ever since attending Williamson Prep,mostly white school, Starr feels out of place in the Garden Heights social scene. When Kenya goes off with other friends, Starr runs into her childhood best friend, Khalil Harris, whom she hasn’t seen in a long time. Gunshots from a gang fight interrupt the party, and Khalil offers to take Starr home. -
2
Starr leaves the party with Khalil. Soon after, a white police officer pulls them over. Khalil asks why did he pull them over, and the officer orders him out of the car and searches him. The white police officer commands Khalil not to move, and returns to his car. Khalil opens the door to check on Starr. The officer shoots Khalil.