Starr is an African American teenager. One night she goes to a party with her brother; while she's there, she meets up with her long-time friend, Khalil. Starr and Khalil leave the party when they hear gunshots and start to drive home. Khalil is driving and gets pulled over by a white police officer. He gets out of the car and reaches into the window to check on Starr and gets shot by the officer. Throughout the rest of the book, you'll read about Starr fighting to win justice for Khalil.