Definitely. The book is based on real - life situations that many people, especially those in marginalized communities, face. It shows the protagonist's struggle between two worlds - her poor, black neighborhood and the mostly white prep school she attends. The characters' reactions and the events that unfold are all too real, making it a prime example of realistic fiction.
No. Just because it's intense doesn't mean it can't be realistic fiction. In fact, the intensity is part of what makes it so real. The real - world issues it addresses are intense in themselves, so the story reflects that.
One of the main themes is the power of voice. Starr struggles to find her voice to speak out about what happened to Khalil. Also, the theme of community is important. Her neighborhood community stands together during the difficult times. And of course, the overarching theme of racism runs throughout the book as it shows how black people are treated differently in different settings, which is very much a part of realistic fiction as it reflects real - world situations.
It contributes by depicting real - world issues such as racial inequality and police brutality in a vivid and relatable way. The characters face situations that many people in the real world experience, which makes it a prime example of realistic fiction.
It's definitely fiction. The book creates a fictional world and characters to convey powerful messages and raise awareness about various social problems.