Spring 2019, Wild Readers 5 discussion

I enjoyed reading The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. It was a very engaging book that addresses some very important issues in society. This book originally sparked my interest because I saw a movie trailer for it and saw the increasing press about the story. Once I saw it on one of our reading lists, I got excited because I love books that have a movie adaptation! It always helps me understand and comprehend the book better. The book has also won two very impressive awards which also caught my interest. I always comment on how relatable books can be and I thought this was a good one. Starr, who is the main character, struggles with finding her place in the world and between two completely opposite communities, which can be relatable for many readers. I can also relate to losing a best friend and so can many others. This book got my emotions swirling, but I kind of liked that because it kept me so engaged in the story. I sometimes feel uncomfortable reading or discussing sensitive subjects like police brutality, which this book addresses. However, this book addresses something very important and also sends a great message. My favorite character from the book was Big Mav, Starr’s father. I really liked his negative background of being in a gang that inspired him to become a much better person and his supportive outlook for Starr. Lastly, I love the end when the grocery store sadly burns down but in a sense, it wraps up how Starr finds herself as a better young woman and her sense of “voice.” I would recommend this as a class-read for high school students.