![]() Most importantly, the novel gives voice to teens whose lives diverge from middle-class Americana. When Bri raps, the prose sings on the page as she uses it to voice her frustration at being stigmatized as “hood” at school, her humiliation at being unable to pay the bills, and her yearning to succeed in the music world on her own merit. Bri's journey is deeply personal: small in scope and edgy in tone. ![]() ![]() Her struggles within the music industry and in school highlight the humiliations and injustices that remain an indelible part of the African American story while also showcasing rap’s undeniable lyrical power as a language through which to find strength. Raised by a widowed mother, a recovering drug addict, Bri attends an arts school while dreaming of becoming a famous rapper, as her father was before gang violence ended his life. Thomas’ ( The Hate U Give, 2017) sophomore novel returns to Garden Heights, but while Brianna may live in Starr's old neighborhood, their experiences couldn't differ more. This honest and unflinching story of toil, tears, and triumph is a musical love letter that proves literary lightning does indeed strike twice. ![]()
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