The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

 

The Hate U Give 

by Angie Thomas

Walter Dean Myers Grant Winner

Summary:

        Starr lives in the "ghetto" but attends a prestigious (mostly white) private school. After a party gone wrong, she and her childhood friend, Khalil, get pulled over. Khalil gets shot by "One-Fifteen," as Starr knows him, the officer who pulled them over. The novel is about Starr learning what it means to stand up for what you believe in and how to stay true to who you are and where you come from while still doing what is best for your personal growth.

Justification:

        The Hate U Give spent something like 70 weeks on the NYT Bestseller List, and it deserved every second of it and more. This book is something every person should read. It is a deeply riveting book and handles the deep issues with such tact, while still being brutally honest and genuine. This is a fantastic book for class studies or independent reading alike. Students will learn about personal bias, privilege, and how to be a responsible human.

Reader Response:

        What an impactful book. Even as an adult, I found myself tearing through these pages and devouring the words. Starr's story is filled with tragedy, empowerment, belonging, and self-discovery. Starr learns how to use her voice for the better, even when it requires intense bravery in the face of potential violence. This book really challenged my own personal biases and offered a view of the world from a perspective I hadn't seen before. I found myself uncomfortable at some parts, but it was necessary to sit with it, consider why I felt that way, and challenge it. One aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the inside look at a "ghetto" community that others might look at from the outside and offer pity or disgust. This book really highlights that it is a beautiful community full of hardships, yes, but also joy and teamwork. 

Thomas, A. (2017). The hate U give. Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.