The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Summary:
When Starr Carter wakes up every morning, she has to remember which Starr she's supposed to be. When she's home with her family, or helping out her dad at his shop, she's Garden Heights Starr; the one who lives in a poor neighborhood that is riddled with drugs and gang violence. But when she goes to school, she's Williamson Prep Starr; one of only a few black students, cool and collected, who plays basketball and dates a white boy named Chris. Starr never lets her worlds seep into each other, until a tragic incident forces them to collide. Her childhood friend, Khalil is shot by a police officer while driving Starr home from a party. Suddenly Khalil is national news and everyone wants to know the identity of "the witness." It throws Starr into a new world, one where her bravery and her loyalty are continuously questioned and tested. One thing is for sure: Starr can't keep her worlds separate anymore.
Young Adult Characteristics:
Addresses Real World Problems: The Hate U Give does this especially well, highlighting the physical and emotional struggles Starr has to face within her community and her school.
Fast Pace: The beginning especially was fast paced but the rest of the book slowed and quickened based on what was happening in the story. It definitely kept the reader's attention throughout.
Reader/Character Relation: While not every teen who reads this story can relate directly to Starr, she deals with more common issues, such as girl dynamics in high school, having a boyfriend, getting good grades, etc. Living in a neighborhood like Garden Heights also makes Starr a much more relatable character for teens in her specific situation as well. The danger of living in a community that is as at war within itself, learning to be aware of your surroundings, listening to your parents about safety, etc.
Read-a-likes:
I'm Not Dying with You Tonight by Gilly Segal
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
The Education of Margo Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera
I LOVED this book! Your summary does an excellent job describing the tension and struggles Starr undergoes. Presenting this story from multiple points of "world view" made it great, and be able to reach all audiences in some capacity. I agree with your talking about the points of slow pacing. During these points, I thought it could have been made slightly shorter, but I didn't feel that too strongly because I was really invested in the story.
ReplyDeleteThe read-a-likes all sound great, too!
I have heard of this title and I think I've had a couple people ask for it at my library. It sounds like a good read and one that would help people gain a different perspective. I will add it to my list!
ReplyDeleteThis book has become very popular since it came out in 2017 and then the movie came out in 2018. One of my son's read the book then watched the movie. Usually my kids always like the book better, but in this case, he enjoyed the movie more because he felt it was easier to follow the events in the movie than in the book.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this as well, just haven't gotten to it yet. Thanks for the great annotation.
This book is amazing! Angie Thomas is a phenomenal writer, and I think this book's success/influence really helped open up the publishing industry to more authors of color (especially for YA). I really like your readalikes (especially All American Boys- Jason Reynolds is fantastic), but I've also seen Dear Martin by Nic Stone compared to this book as well (due to having similar subject matter/themes). Great choice!
ReplyDeleteYessss agreed!
DeleteSounds like a good book your summary seems to do it justice. I have gotten away from YA but this seems like a title that would get me back into it.
ReplyDeleteMy dad, a 65-year-old white man who teaches econ at a community college, LOVED this book. More proof that there's something in every genre for everyone, if they'd only be open to suggestion :)
ReplyDeleteThat's AMAZING! Thanks for sharing :)
DeleteI LOVED this book so much. I went through a period last year where I was trying to intentionally read outside my own life perspective and this one of the titles I read in that string. I watched and enjoyed the movie, but I always feel like the book is better and that held true for me. I think Thomas did a great job of making Starr relatable to a variety of readers. As for your read-alikes, I listened to Jason Reynolds on a podcast a few months back and keep meaning to read him, so I'm moving "All American Boys" up on my TBR. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! I loved Starr and really want to read Thomas' new book! ALSO how am I just now getting around to reading Jason Reynolds, I ask you! I haven't seen the movie yet but it's definitely on my list too :)
DeleteSuch a phenomenal book! You do an amazing job on the summary and the appeals, there is something in this book for everyone! Fantastic job and full points!
ReplyDelete