The Hate U Give Book Review

 











The Hate U Give


1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Thomas, A. (2017). The Hate U Give. Balzer + Bray. ISBN: 978-0-06-249853-3

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Starr leads somewhat of a dual life. First is her home life which involves who she is culturally. Her second life is lived at a private school where she hides her true self and stuffs down her culture for fear of judgment. After her best friend is shot while unarmed, Starr wrestles with what to or not to say/do when the story goes national. 


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This contemporary realistic young adult fiction book is the first by Angie Thomas. It falls under the category of darker contemporary fiction. It involves major events that are currently in the headlines. Racism and police brutality are at the forefront of this novel. This novel follows Starr, her family, and neighborhood life, as well as her private school life. The characters are developed in an extremely believable way. They are not stereotyped, but realistic. The theme is being true to yourself. Starr grapples with this throughout the story but her character arc is beautiful in that she finds her voice outside of the suggestions of those around her. The emotions carried throughout are raw and accurate. The reader is left with an understanding of the message of “see something, say something”. It ends optimistically which leaves readers with a sense of hope for their future. I put this book into one of the top ones read in a while because I am now more aware than ever of the plights of black Americans. 


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

  • Booklist starred, 12/15/16

  • Booklist starred, 06/01/17 *

  • Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred, 03/01/17

  • Coretta Scott King Author Honor, 2018

  • Horn Book Guide starred, 10/01/17

  • Horn Book Magazine starred, 03/01/17

  • Kirkus Reviews starred, 12/15/16

  • Michael L. Printz Honor, 2018

  • New York Times, 02/26/17

  • Odyssey Award, 2018 *

  • Publishers Weekly starred, 11/28/16

  • Publishers Weekly starred, 05/29/17 *

  • School Library Journal starred, 01/01/17

  • School Library Journal starred, 08/01/17 *

  • Teacher Librarian, 12/01/17

  • Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) starred, 02/01/17

  • Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) starred, 08/01/18 *

  • William C. Morris YA Debut Award, 2018


  • Booklist starred (December 15, 2016 (Vol. 113, No. 8))

  • Grades 9-12. Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two very different worlds: one is her home in a poor black urban neighborhood; the other is the tony suburban prep school she attends and the white boy she dates there. Her bifurcated life changes dramatically when she is the only witness to the unprovoked police shooting of her unarmed friend Khalil and is challenged to speak out—though with trepidation—about the injustices being done in the event’s wake. As the case becomes national news, violence erupts in her neighborhood, and Starr finds herself and her family caught in the middle. Difficulties are exacerbated by their encounters with the local drug lord for whom Khalil was dealing to earn money for his impoverished family. If there is to be hope for change, Starr comes to realize, it must be through the exercise of her voice, even if it puts her and her family in harm’s way. Thomas’ debut, both a searing indictment of injustice and a clear-eyed, dramatic examination of the complexities of race in America, invites deep thoughts about our social fabric, ethics, morality, and justice. Beautifully written in Starr’s authentic first-person voice, this is a marvel of verisimilitude as it insightfully examines two worlds in collision. An inarguably important book that demands the widest possible readership. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: From the moment this book sold, it has been high-profile. An in-the-works movie adaptation will further push this to the head of the class.


  • 5. CONNECTIONS

Related books:

Thomas, A. (2021). Concrete Rose. Balzer + Bray. ISBN: 978-0-06-249856-4

Thomas, A. (2019). On the come up. Balzer + Bray. ISBN: 978-0-06-249856-4

Magoon, K. (2021).  Light it up. Square Fish, Henry Holt and Company. ISBN: 978-1-71375-563-0


Activities:

Have a discussion about human rights vs. civil rights

Discuss character development through the book


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