Bri’s dad was an awesome rapper, something she aspires to be. But his life was cut short when a rival gang member shot and killed him when Bri was very young. She wins a spot “in the Ring”, a neighborhood club where budding artists “Battle” it out. But when Bri is unjustly thrown to the ground by a school guard, she decides to channel her rage and impotence into her rapping. Angie Thomas is a wonderful writer who draws on her experience as an African-American female to realistically portray the battles faced everyday by people of color. Her first novel was The Hate You Give, followed by this title, and her newest is Concrete Rose. I really enjoy reading her; all three titles are excellent young adult novels.
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