English 9 Honors Blog

Starr pledges to "never be quiet" ( Chapter 26, p. 444 ). After reading this book, how can you use your voice to promote and advance social justice? Reflect on how you and your community discuss and address inequality.  Please make sure that your comment is at least 200 words. ( Questions issued by publishers .)

Chris and Starr have a breakthrough in their relationship --- Starr admits to him that she was in the car with Khalil and shares the memories of Natasha’s murder (Chapter 17). Discuss why Starr’s admission and releasing of this burden to Chris is significant. Explore the practice of “code switching” and discuss how you might code switch in different circumstances in your own life.

Once again, I would like you to respond to two prompts (at least 150 words each).  Here they are: 1. Once news of Khalil’s shooting spreads across the neighborhood, unrest arises: “Sirens wail outside. The news shows three patrol that have been set  ablaze at the police precinct...A gas station near the freeway gets looted...My neighborhood is a warzone” (Chapter 9, 136-139). Respond to this development and describe some parallels  to current events. 2. How do you think Starr would define family? What about Seven? How do you define it?

Respond to BOTH of the prompts below:  Each response should be at least 150 words. 1. As Starr and Khalil listen to Tupac, Khalil explains what Tupac said “Thug Life” meant. Discuss the meaning of the term “Thug Life” as an acronym and why the author might have chosen part of this at the title of the book. In what ways do you see this is society today? (Chapter 1, p. 17) 2. At the police station after Starr details the events leading up to the shooting, the detective shifts her focus to Khalil’s past. Why do you think the detective did this? Discuss Starr’s reaction to this “bait” (Chapter 6, pp. 102-103).