Book
Review:
Bibliography-
ISBN
0062498541
Plot 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.
Critical Analysis-
This
is an inspiring story that revolves around and is told from the point of view
of Star Carter, a 16-year-old black girl who is trying to live in two different
worlds: an all-black crime-ridden neighborhood where she lives and grew up in
and the predominately white upper middle-class high school to which her parents
send her and her two brothers. Staar has a great relationship with her family,
and it is evident that she loves them. The author did an excellent job of
bringing the story to life, allowing us to empathize with everyone involved. The
scene of Khalil’s murder is horrifying and gut-wrenching, and regretfully, not
uncommon in today’s world. That doesn’t make this part of the book any easier
to read. The young man’s funeral was equally heartbreaking, as we saw firsthand
how destroyed his family and friends were. This story not only packs an
emotional punch but was also an excellent fictional treatment of real-life
racial issues facing America today. We can’t help but realize that things are
often a lot more complicated and multilayered than portrayed by the media. At
the very least, it may cause us to question that which we’ve come to accept as
“normal”. Throughout the book, the author weaves in themes of police brutality,
racial profiling, hard choices, injustice, white privilege how young black men
get pressured into dealing drugs, the challenges of living in gang-ridden
neighborhoods, and the everyday violence and danger that people living
inner-city neighborhoods face. I love how Angie Thomas has a way of making you
think while laughing at the same time. This story addresses some horrible
issues, however, that
shouldn’t make you shy away from it with young adults. It is important to open
a dialogue on different issues, even if they make you or students uncomfortable.
Review Excerpts-
Goodreads Choice Awards
Best of the Best
William C. Morris
Award Winner
Printz Honor Book
Coretta Scott King
Honor Book
#1 New York
Times Bestseller
“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.” -Booklist starred review
“The
Hate U Give is an important and timely novel that reflects the world today’s
teens inhabit. Starr’s struggles create a complex character, and Thomas boldly
tackles topics like racism, gangs, police violence, and interracial dating.
This topical, necessary story is highly recommended for all libraries.” -Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) starred review
Connections-
-Students can read an interview with the author about the
book.
Talking
'The Hate U Give' With YA Novelist Angie Thomas (thecut.com)
-Have students get into groups and create a “playlist” for the
book, based on the themes, characters, mood, conflicts, and plot events of the
story. Each group can come up with three songs for the book playlist. Have them
elaborate on their choices when sharing with the class, to give other students
a window into their thinking. A Canva can be created of the class book playlist
and printed out to display with the book.
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