Embedded Files
Amisha | Biotechnology High School, Grade 9
Rating: ****
Angie Thomas gives a riveting and inspirational story through her novel, “The Hate U Give”. The novel follows Starr Carter, a sixteen year old black girl who lives in Garden Heights, an underprivileged gang neighborhood. Recently, Starr was faced with one of the most heartbreaking and difficult experiences in life; the loss of a loved one. In her own presence, one of Starr’s best friends, Khalil, was innocently murdered by a white police officer. Starr has to find courage and strength to seek justice for Khalil and be heard by the world. Thomas intertwines the themes of perspective, racial equality and justice, love, and strength to create the magnificent masterpiece, “The Hate U Give”.
Throughout the course of this novel we, as readers, are left rethinking all beliefs we have been taught. We are reminded that everybody is equal and yet, everyone is different. No one can be defined by their race, what school they go to, or where they live. Thomas builds an incredible world and makes a realistic world that the readers may be able to relate to their own lives or of others around them. Moreover, Thomas introduces us to Starr who is a well written character that changes your outlook on life. Starr embodies strength and humanity unlike many other characters portrayed in novels; she shows the world who Khalil was and leaves a mark on the world. Additionally, this novel is especially pertinent in our time now, given all the equality issues we are facing. This novel highlights the importance of being part of a community, sticking with your family and loved ones, and standing up for what you believe in. Thomas’ remarkable story, “The Hate U Give”, shares the way one girl trudges across the path of grief to fight for what is right.
Megan | Biotechnology High School, Grade 9
Rating: ****
Starr Carter is a black teenager who resides in Garden Heights, a marginalized community filled with gangs and violence. On the other hand, she attends school in a privileged, wealthy, and primarily white neighborhood. Due to this, Starr struggles to find her true identity and begins to question her friendships and romantic relationship. However, one horrifying and traumatic event seems to loom above all else in Starr’s life--the murder of her close friend, Khalil. Khalil was killed at the hands of a police officer in Starr’s presence, complicating the matter. While the public perceives Khalil as a ‘thug,’ Starr is frustrated that they do not realize that Khalil was a caring and loyal friend, brother, son, and grandson. Throughout the story, Starr learns to speak up and use her voice in order to bring justice to Khalil’s legacy.
“The Hate U Give” is a beautifully-written, touching, and enlightening novel. Starr is a lovable, relatable, and inspirational character who is not afraid to fight for what she believes in. Her heartwarming relationship with her family and community shows readers the sheer strength and endurance of love. Overall, this book truly opened my eyes and provided me with a whole new perspective about society as a whole. Especially during our current social climate, it is more important than ever that everyone becomes educated about the racial injustice and police brutality that still deeply affects countless individuals and families. Despite the social progressions that society has made over the years, racism is still a very real issue. People are being treated differently solely because of the color of their skin, and “The Hate U Give” provides readers with a first-hand perspective of this. Ultimately, this is one of those rare books that I believe everyone should read at some point in their lives.
Shivani | Biotechnology High School, Grade 9
Rating: *****
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter lives a double life. There is Williamson Starr, who goes to a fancy prep school, and doesn’t do anything to look like the “threatening black girl”, and then there is Garden Heights Starr who lives in a poor neighborhood. However, Starr feels like she doesn’t fit into either of those areas. Despite her uneasy feelings about the way she lives, her worlds completely stop when her childhood friend, Khalil, gets shot in front of her by a police officer. He was not armed. As Khalil’s story goes viral, some people try to justify the cop’s actions, saying Khalil was a thug and a gangbanger. Meanwhile, king lords and cops threaten Starr and her family. What Starr says, or doesn’t say, can deeply affect her community, and put her life at stake.
After all the hype this book got, you may think that it is overrated, but I assure you, IT IS NOT. This is an absolute MUST READ, especially if you are looking for a way to educate yourself on the Black Lives Matter movement. It perfectly points out white privilege, racial microaggressions, and police brutality that happen in today’s America, through the eyes of a teenage black girl, and I definitely recommend it!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse