The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give

by Angie Thomas

About the Author:

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 is an inaugural winner of the Walter Dean Myers Grant 2015, awarded by We Need Diverse Books.

Book Summary:

"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."

Reviews:

"Absolutely riveting!" —Jason Reynolds

"Stunning." —John Green

"This story is necessary. This story is important." —Kirkus (starred review)

"Heartbreakingly topical." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A marvel of verisimilitude." —Booklist (starred review)

"A powerful, in-your-face novel." —Horn Book (starred review)

*Personal Reflection:

I truly enjoyed reading this novel with my kiddos (Spring Semester 2020). We were able to complete it right before the pandemic lock down, when I taught English II. I feel this novel really resonates with the youth of today. The students respond well and were truly engaged in the readings. The novel brings up real-life present-day racial issues that is told is such a powerful way.

Sources:

https://www.amazon.com/Hate-U-Give-Angie-Thomas/dp/0062498533/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Thomas%2C+A.+%282017%29.+The+hate+u+give&qid=1616636382&s=books&sr=1-2

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