Young Adult Literature-The Hate U Give
Bibliography:
Summary:
The Hate U Give is a timely, character-driven story packed with moments of fear and love, heartbreak and humor set in Garden Heights, its title born from a Tupac quote. Starr Carter has seen more death than her young years should allow, with lives discarded in the crossfire of a messed up social hierarchy. Witnessing another moment of brutality, Starr finds herself forced to confront the systematic racism within law enforcement and the wider culture it serves.
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl’s struggle for justice
Critical Analysis:
Although the subject matter can be very difficult to read and discuss, it is immensely important to have these conversations. Starr is a representative of so many families that have been victims or friends of victims of police brutality and gang violence. How can we come together to change this systematic oppression?
The Hate U Give presents a very realistic and balanced view of the issues. There are multiple perspectives (although some of them are presented as clearly being the wrong ones) that help you relate to and understand the seriousness and severity of the tragedies portrayed. Despite this heavy task, there is also a fair amount of levity throughout the book, as there would be in real life. Overall, this book is very important for the current generation to read to help them process our current racial tension with empathy.
Connections to the textbook:
There are lots of discussion of violence, police brutality, sexual actions, drugs, and alcohol. Also, there is a lot of cussing. Altogether, this is present to dive into the real world in which Angie Thomas is painting. I do encourage everyone to read or watch this with their kids to help them process and discuss it.
Review Excerpt(s)
Michael L. Printz Award Honor, 2018
Coretta Scott King Book Award, Author Honor 2018
Winner of the 2018 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award
Winner of the 2017 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
Winner of the 2018 William C. Morris Debut Award
Starred review in BOOKLIST - “An inarguably important book that demands the widest possible readership.”
Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS - “This story is necessary. This story is important.”
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