The Hate U Give novel is Angie Thomas’ debut book that is a gripping YA political story inspired by the Black Lives Matter Movement that explores racial injustice. It centralizes around a young woman named Starr and depicts her struggles with racism and police brutality. The Hate U Give is a novel that shockingly examines the flaws in our society and will educate its readers about race and systemic racism.
Title: The Hate U GiveSeries: The Hate U Give #1
Author: Angie Thomas
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: February 28, 2017
Rating:
Series Rating:
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.
But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl's struggle for justice.
Last Updated; April 2, 2023
Book Review: The Hate You Give, Angie Thomas
The novel follows Starr Carter, a shy sixteen year old girl who has witnessed a close friend, Khalil, being shot and killed by police. As the story plays out, Starr becomes more candid and a leader in her community. It is a realistic coming of age story set in a fictional town in Mississippi that explores many themes, such as racism, community, family, and social injustice.
❀ Starr is an amazing Heroine
Starr is a 16-year-old Black girl who is such an amazing and relatable protagonist and it is enjoyable watching her evolve and find her own voice. The fact that she spends time in two separate worlds, a white cliquey school and her poor neighbourhood, gives her so many inner conflicts. When she makes the realization that she needs to speak out and become more vocal, Starr becomes an inspirational heroine to her community. She is clever and has quite a sense of humour that adds some lighthearted moments to the very heavy topics in the book.
❀ Many Teachable Moments
There are so many teachable moments in The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Although the story is fictional, it is very relevant to our society today. The concepts of police brutality and systemic racism are ones that need to be discussed and explored, especially in YA literature. Books like these need to be magnified and shared to amplify their messages.
Book Quotes: The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
“What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?”
“Your voices matter, your dreams matter, your lives matter. Be the roses that grow in the concrete.”
“My parents haven’t raised me to fear the police, just to be smart around them.”
“I can’t change where I come from or what I’ve been through, so why should I be ashamed of what makes me, me?”
“It’s dope to be black until it’s hard to be black.”
“What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?”
“My voice is changing already. It always happens around ‘other’ people, whether I’m at Williamson or not. I don’t talk like me or sound like me. I choose every word carefully and make sure I pronounce them well. I can never, ever let anyone think I’m ghetto.”
Book Summary: The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
❀ A Pivotal Story
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a YA political novel that is an award winning, must-read for young adults and adults alike. The themes and issues raised in the book are important teaching tools that society can learn from. As the book has brought much awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement, a movie adaptation and a sequel to the book have followed on its success. If you have not had the opportunity to read this pivotal story, it is one to add to your reading list.
About Angie Thomas
Angie Thomas was born, raised, and still resides in Jackson, Mississippi as indicated by her accent. She is a former teen rapper whose greatest accomplishment was an article about her in Right-On Magazine with a picture included. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Belhaven University and an unofficial degree in Hip Hop. She can also still rap if needed. She is an inaugural winner of the Walter Dean Meyers Grant 2015, awarded by We Need Diverse Books. Her debut novel, The Hate U Give, was acquired by Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins in a 13-house auction and will be published in spring 2017. Film rights have been optioned by Fox 2000 with George Tillman attached to direct and Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg set to star.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
Sounds like a good read.
Sounds really great.
sounds good!
EDYE recently posted…Amazon Gift Card Giveaway! (US, 3/15)
Nice cover and excerpt!
The book sounds interesting.