The Hate U Give

I am almost certain that The Hate U Give will win the Printz Award this year. This ripped-from-the-headlines story by Angie Thomas is one of my favorite books that I have read this year – and not just

because it is some great story-telling.

The book is about Starr Carter, a girl who lives in the projects but goes to school at a fancy private school (AKA – she is the only Black girl). She is constantly torn between the two “worlds” in which she

exists. This tension comes to a head when her childhood best friend Khalil is shot (he was unarmed) by a police offer after being pulled over. Starr was in the car. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a dru

g 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.

This story provides a unique perspective in a situation that has been happening all-too-often in the US. Starr knows the truth about what happened, but does not want to be thrown into the spotlight and forced to relive the night that haunts her. She wants Khalil to have justice – but at what cost? If you were in that situation, what would you do?

This book helped put into perspective things about our society and culture which cause incidents such as this one to keep happening. It does not necessarily offer a solution, but provides some talking points to start a conversation that we all should be having.

I highly recommend that everyone (teens and adults) read this book.