In the United States today, youth activism has constantly been increasing due to the prevalent need for change in our society. Students have begun to lead movements in hopes to shape our national conversations and become catalysts for change. The ringing voices of the youth have been heard and will be silenced no longer. After experiencing a life-changing social injustice first hand, sixteen-year-old Starr Carter speaks out and advocates for change in the compelling novel The Hate U Give. Angie Thomas shares a thought-provoking, fictional account about the tragic death of a young African American male, the resilience and strength of a young girl, and the evident divisions of race that continue to exist today. Immediately, Thomas takes readers to the heart of Garden Heights after Starr is the main eyewitness in the senseless murder of her childhood friend Khalil. As a student in a predominately white high school and active member of her all black community, Starr witnesses and experiences firsthand the reactions of Khalil’s death in both of her worlds. Faced with the challenges of violence in her neighborhood, drama with friends, and emotional and physical struggles, Starr is forced to make difficult decisions that make lasting impacts. Thomas keeps readers on their toes as Starr anonymously shares her side of the story and seeks justice for Khalil while facing the risk of being targeted for speaking out. In addition, Thomas does a fantastic job of making characters relatable with adding vivid details of their personalities and their roles in the story. This makes readers emphasize for the characters and feel excitement, encouragement, and nervousness for each turn of the page. Placed in current day times, the book contains gripping dialogue that makes it easy for an reader to understand. Thomas controversially stresses the themes of racism, police and gang violence, dueling identities, and family throughout the book. Thomas does an excellent job of addressing very sensitive issues such as police brutality, however, the book tends to gravitate to one side on the majority of the issues leaving no room for the defense of the other side. Despite this, The Hate U Give is a must read for all ages fifteen and up due to the violence, sexual references, and harsh language. This enthralling book educates readers on current issues, encourages them to be agents of change in society, and provides a passionate role model who takes readers on her journey to discover her voice. This emotional account of an injustice perfectly illustrates how hate grows in the world, and how we work as a society to overcome it.
Angie Thomas shares a thought-provoking, fictional account about the tragic death of a young African American male, the resilience and strength of a young girl, and the evident divisions of race that continue to exist today. Immediately, Thomas takes readers to the heart of Garden Heights after Starr is the main eyewitness in the senseless murder of her childhood friend Khalil. As a student in a predominately white high school and active member of her all black community, Starr witnesses and experiences firsthand the reactions of Khalil’s death in both of her worlds. Faced with the challenges of violence in her neighborhood, drama with friends, and emotional and physical struggles, Starr is forced to make difficult decisions that make lasting impacts. Thomas keeps readers on their toes as Starr anonymously shares her side of the story and seeks justice for Khalil while facing the risk of being targeted for speaking out.
In addition, Thomas does a fantastic job of making characters relatable with adding vivid details of their personalities and their roles in the story. This makes readers emphasize for the characters and feel excitement, encouragement, and nervousness for each turn of the page. Placed in current day times, the book contains gripping dialogue that makes it easy for an reader to understand. Thomas controversially stresses the themes of racism, police and gang violence, dueling identities, and family throughout the book. Thomas does an excellent job of addressing very sensitive issues such as police brutality, however, the book tends to gravitate to one side on the majority of the issues leaving no room for the defense of the other side. Despite this, The Hate U Give is a must read for all ages fifteen and up due to the violence, sexual references, and harsh language. This enthralling book educates readers on current issues, encourages them to be agents of change in society, and provides a passionate role model who takes readers on her journey to discover her voice. This emotional account of an injustice perfectly illustrates how hate grows in the world, and how we work as a society to overcome it.