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Part One: Old School
Chapter 1
I am so excited to be reading Angie Thomas’ follow up novel to The Hate U Give. It is so refreshing reading books with characters that look like me and my people. From the opening page, Thomas is drawing me in with details like a teacher who wears her hair in Sisterlocks (Mrs. Murray) and is reading the great poet Nikki Giovanni.
The protagonist is a high school junior named Brianna Jackson (Bri or Breezy). Her father was murdered 12 years ago. Her mother was a recovering drug addict, eight years sober. She lives in Garden Heights like Starr did. Brianna’s dad was a rapper, “Lawless, the underground rap legend” (p. 9)
Book Club Question:
- When Mrs. Murray confronts Brianna after class about her grades slipping, Brianna admits she wants to be a rapper. She proclaims that college is not for everyone despite having aspirations to go to college.
- What do you think? Agree or disagre? Why or why not?
- What are your plans after high school?