The Hate U Give
Angie Thomas, Author
Balzer + Bray, Fiction, Feb. 28, 2017
Awards: National Book Award Longlist
Suitable for Ages: 14 and up
Themes: Racism, Police Violence, Prejudice, Family Relationships, Community
Book Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter lives between two different worlds: Garden Heights, the poor black neighborhood where she lives, and Williamson Prep, the fancy suburban school she attends. It’s tough to make friends in her own community where she is judged. It’s hard being an acceptable black student in a white school. The uneasy balance between her worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend, Khalil, by a police officer when he’s driving Starr home. Khalil was unarmed.
Khalil’s death quickly becomes a national news story. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. One of Starr’s best friends at school even suggests he may have had it coming. When it becomes clear the police have little interest in investigating the incident, protesters take to the streets and Starr’s neighborhood becomes a war zone. Everyone wants to know what really happened that night. Starr is the only witness and because she is a minor, her identity is protected. The police take her testimony with little interest, even though her Uncle Carlos is a detective. When tensions reach a boiling point, she knows that she has to tell the truth.
What Starr does — or does not — say could destroy her community. It could endanger her life. It could help her find her voice.
Why I like this book:
Angie Thomas’ powerful in-your-face novel is timely, brave, and gripping. It is a story about violence in America that’s not sugar-coated but effective with a trustworthy narrator, Starr Carter, who opens her heart and readers’ eyes to the truth. Readers will walk in her shoes, feel her anguish and cheer as she becomes an instrument for hope.
Thomas’ action-packed and multifaceted plot begins with Khalil’s shooting in the first chapter. The story follows with the fall-out that occurs in Garden Heights as the community responds at first with peaceful protests. Gangs move in, stir up crowds and the scene quickly turns to violence. Businesses are burned and the neighborhood becomes a war zone. It is a grim and suffocating look at the inner-city where abuse, addiction and gangs are a way of life and children are its victims.
Starr’s tight and loving family adds stability to the novel. She lives with her father “Big Mav,” a former gang-member who wants to make their crime-ridden neighborhood a better place to live. He owns a local market and employs teens to keep them away from gangs and drugs. Her mother Lisa is a registered nurse who wants to move away in order to keep her family safe. Starr has an older, protective brother, Seven, and a younger brother, Sekani. Together the family faces adversity head-on with perseverance, resourcefulness, and the triumph of the human spirit.
Thomas presents the growing trend of racial profiling and police brutality in an unbiased way. She shows the prejudice on both sides. Starr’s uncle is a detective on the force, so we see things from his point of view. It helps readers understand the different sides of the situation without confusion. As a reader I gained a greater understanding of drugs and gang life in the inner city and its appeal to teen boys who are supporting single mothers and younger siblings.
Through the perspective of Starr, readers glimpse the anguish that envelops her community, illuminating the feelings associated with suppression. We need more novels that focus on the social commentary of racism and police brutality. The Hate U Give is an excellent work of fiction and an important discussion book for classrooms.
Angie Thomas was born, raised, and still resides in Jackson, Mississippi. She is a former teen rapper whose greatest accomplishment was having an article about her in Right On! magazine. She holds a BFA in creative writing. The Hate U Give is her first novel. You can visit her at her website.
Greg Pattridge is the permanent host for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors today.
I loved this one! Like you, I appreciated Starr’s family.
LikeLike
Her family provides such a solid foundation for her during a very difficult time. That really jumped out at me! I’m glad you liked the book.
LikeLike
This story is powerful and is one needed for our times. The writing sounds like it s tension filled, full of page turning scenes. Thanks for introducing this one to me.
LikeLike
I bought this book back last summer and the page length felt daunting, as I knew it would be a difficult read! Boy was I wrong! Once I started reading I was hooked and by the time I finished the 444 pages, I didn’t want the book to end! I learned a lot about inner-city life that I didn’t know about. I thought Sharon Draper’s books would have prepared me, but there was still so much more insight because of the injustices occurring. Think you’ll like this book a lot!
LikeLike
This also reminds me of a book I read last year—THE STARS BENEATH MY FEET. It provides tough choices for the 12-year-old protagonist whose brother was killed by gangs and now he is faced with whether to join one himself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will have to check it out — thank you for the suggestion!
LikeLike
This book has been on my “to read” list for a while. (I think the list is too long!) Thanks for the wonderful review!
LikeLike
I procrastinated on reading this book and it stared at me for quite a while — it is 444 pages. But, once I began I was glued to the book. Such great characters, a loving and supportive family, not to mention a lot of action. This book makes you think!
LikeLike
I am so looking forward to reading this book. Wonderful review, Pat!
LikeLike
I hope you read the book. You won’t be sorry. It is a book I couldn’t put down and I finished it in days. I learned so much. Angie Thomas is an outstanding author and tackled a very important subject!
LikeLike
Great review! This looks like a powerful and heavy book. Thanks for the suggestion.
LikeLike
It is a great read for Black History Month. I loved spending time with this book and learned so much. It is such a powerful story that makes you think.
LikeLike
Isn’t it amazing? I am sure it will win awards. Your probably saw my FB update that I recommended it to one of our English teachers and she is now trying to get it into the 10th garde curriculum. Such an important read.
LikeLike
I hope she succeeds, because it is an important read for teens. It deals with such import social justice issues. And, I learned somethings about inner-city life I didn’t know. The book and characters are still with me.
LikeLike
Wow! It makes for a compelling read. So right for kids to read today. Thanks for sharing Pat. Great review.
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed my review. I encourage everyone to read this book. Do you have trouble with racial profiling and police violence issues in New Zealand?
LikeLike
I have heard a lot about this book lately. Your review is excellent and has inspired me to read it.
LikeLike
Thank you Darlene. I had this book in my TBR pile for months, before I read it. Sorry I didn’t read it sooner. It is such an important read! I learned so much. Do you have trouble with racial profiling and police violence in Spain?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spain is very multicultural and fairly tolerant. Unfortunately, the people who come across from Morroco are often given a rough time. I haven´t heard much about police violence which doesn´t mean it doesn´t exist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was curious if other countries did the same racial profiling. That’s why this story is so good. My son is from India and he has had to deal with difficult situations here for years.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for this review! It’s on my TBR pile, but I think while I work my way to it I’m going to pass your recommendation on to a friend who is looking for books for a teen book club she’ll be managing. Books like this are so important!
LikeLike
This would make such an outstanding discussion book for a teen book club. I had the book in my pile for months before I read it. The 444 pages seemed daunting. Boy, was I wrong. I couldn’t put it down. Thomas really can tell a story!
LikeLike
Loved this book, Pat! So well written and so powerful! I’d recommend it to anyone!
LikeLike
Thanks for visiting! I’m so glad you loved the book! The characters are still with me!
LikeLike
I’m reading this right now. It’s tough and overwhelming sometimes. But it’s written with grace and humor, in a way that keeps it from being so depressing that you’d have to put it down. I can already tell that it’s going to be unforgettable.
LikeLike
It is an unforgettable book. It gave me insight into issues I wasn’t aware of. Couldn’t put it down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been seeing this one around and was curious about it. Glad you liked it so much.
LikeLike
It is one of my favorite reads this year. It is so timely! Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Memorable characters. A strong family.
LikeLike
Your review for this book is fantastic, Patricia! I recently read A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, and my English teacher recommend The Hate You Give to my class after we finished reading the playscript. I’ve been seeing this book around, but after reading your review, I’m definitely going to put a hold on this book at the library to read. It sounds like a very powerful and relevant book for today — great review!! 😊
LikeLike
It is a very relevant book for today. It should be in every school library. I hope it becomes required reading! Thomas is a brilliant storyteller.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh I literally just got this from the library! Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review. I’m glad this book was able to face tough, but extremely relevant issues head on, without dancing around the subject. I can’t wait to read!
LikeLike
Angie’s storytelling will draw you quickly into the story and you won’t be able to put the book down. I hope you review the book as I’d be interested in your thoughts!
LikeLike
Wow. This sounds amazing. Thanks for the heads up. I will have to check it out.
LikeLike
It is amazing. I know this is one you’d love.
LikeLike