The Hate U Give
by Angie Thomas
Realistic Fiction
* * * * * Stars (Amazing!)
Starr Carter (16, black) lives in the neighborhood and works at her father’s store, but attends a mostly white school. She feels like she is two different people in each of these worlds and that she doesn’t quite fit in anywhere. When her friend, Kenya (sister of her half-brother Seven), invites her to a party in the neighborhood, Starr feels even more out of place. The party breaks up when gunshots are fired and Starr finds herself in a car with an old childhood friend, Khalil. While they’re catching up, a policeman pulls them over for a broken taillight, the situation escalates, and the officer shoots and kills Khalil – right in front of Starr. She is understandably traumatized by the experience (this is the second friend she’s seen killed), but as news of Khalil’s death spreads throughout the community (along with lies about what really happened that night), Starr must decide whether to speak out about her experience, and tell the truth about Khalil, and their innocence. A timely and powerful look at racial prejudice, police brutality, and justice. Starr Carter is a young activist we can all hope to emulate, speaking about important issues.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
