The Hate U Give

     

The Hate U Give

By Taylor Angie Thomas




The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that tackles issues of race, identity, and social justice in modern-day America. The book tells the story of Starr Carter, a 16-year-old black girl who lives in a poor neighborhood but attends a wealthy, mostly white prep school. Starr's world is turned upside down when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend, Khalil, by a police officer.

Thomas' writing pulls the reader into Starr's world and makes them feel like they are experiencing the events of the book firsthand. The characters are complex and portrayed in a realistic and relatable way. Starr is a particularly compelling protagonist, struggling with her identity as a black girl from a poor neighborhood who is also a student at a predominantly white school. Her journey of self-discovery is both inspiring and heartbreaking.

The novel's themes of police brutality, racial profiling, and systemic racism are tackled head-on, and Thomas doesn't shy away from showing the harsh realities of life for black Americans. However, even though the book tackles difficult issues, there are moments of joy and triumph amidst the tragedy. Overall, The Hate U Give is an essential read for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the Black Lives Matter movement and the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. This is a great book to add to your classroom library to increase your collection's diversity and provide students a lens into the experiences of others.

The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas. HarperCollins (2017). 

For more information about Angie Thomas click here. 

Word Count: 249

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