Summary

A shot rings out into the night. Suddenly, Starr Carter’s best friend, Khalil, lies facedown on the concrete, innocent and unarmed. Media pounced on this event, and Khalil’s death started making national news. Caught between balancing the poor neighborhood she lives in and the preppy high school she attends, Starr struggles finding her identity and being the voice for Khalil. However, by leaning on her family and boyfriend, Starr finds the strength she needs to speak out and be a voice for her best friend.

“What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” 

—Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give

Why should I read this?

This book does a phenomenal job addressing tough to talk about subjects such as racism and police brutality. Author Angie Thomas stirs up discussion for her audiences and makes them face a reality that is becoming all too familiar in our society. Rather than just relying on the main protagonist, Thomas brings her secondary characters to life alongside Starr, which allows reader to connect emotionally. Thomas is breaking the looming glass ceiling that has been confining authors of color from publishing their inspirational works, and she offers new perspectives and discussion points that a reader can utilize.

Overall review

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5/5 bookmarks—Thomas has an incredible narrative voice that brings her characters to life and uses them to introduce and familiarize her audiences with topics like racism and police brutality. This book is a must read!

Outside reviews

The Literature of Witness – This article discusses what The Hate U Give brings to the table and the themes that readers will see.