By Angie Thomas
This is a beautifully crafted, hard hitting book. I had heard about the book, seen the trailer and knew it was something that I had to read. I also knew that I may not be comfortable with all of the content, but I am so glad that I finished this book. It is a great book and an illuminating window into the life of an African American teenager. It is very unapologetic and in your face about the racism and the inequality in our society as well as relevant to tensions among the police force and people of color.
Starr Carter is a young woman of color. Her parents have worked hard to ensure that her and her siblings attend a private school, well away from the gang bangers and drugs in their neighborhood. Living in the garden district, but going to school over a half hour away, has Starr straddling two different worlds. At school she does not want to appear ghetto, while at home she doesn't want to be uppity. When these two worlds collide and Starr is forced to merge her two selves is when she finds her voice and discovers who she really can be. The tragic loss of her friend is the match that ignites a fire in the garden district and Starr's heart. Will she find her voice in time to make a difference, will her and her friends make it through the tragedy unscathed?
Normally, I would do a much more involved summary of this book, but this book is so good that I hope you read it yourself. I love this book and am giving it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. The content is mature with some swearing, so I would encourage anybody younger than 8th grade to wait to read this book. Although the heroine in "The Hate You Give" is feminine, this book would be enjoyed by all students. I do feel that this is a great book and it is an important, relevant message to everyone.
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