THE HATE U GIVE

Bibliography

Thomas, Angie. THE HATE U GIVE. Balzer + Bray, 2017. ISBN: 978-0-06-249853-3.

Plot Summary

THE HATE U GIVE is about a 16-year-old girl, Starr Carter, who lives between two worlds: living in her mostly Black neighborhood and then her mostly white private school. Starr sees it as living as two versions of herself because she can't be version one in her 2nd world. Things quickly change for her once she becomes the only witness to her best friend being murdered by police brutality during a traffic stop. Quickly becoming national news, Starr struggles with staying quiet in her 2nd world of private school so she doesn't draw attention while also being targeted back home in her 1st world by the drug lords. However, Starr can't decide if it is right to stay quiet again and if she should speak her truth regardless of the outcome.

Critical Analysis

Such a strong novel about the real world and issues many Black and African American communities face today. The power of Angie Thomas' writing to showcase issues of code-switching, racism, grief, police brutality, justice, and a sense of belonging is astonishing. It gives a raw, true perspective into the society we live in. 

Another strong part is Thomas' ability to balance Starr's two worlds through their actions and voice. Although Starr has two versions of herself, they are both very much true to who she is. This all crumbles and meshes into one as her life tragically changes. From feeling the pressure to not be stereotyped and doing everything in her control to prevent that at her private school. To not using certain words and code-switching while she is back at home. Thomas' writing allows readers to understand both are exactly who Starr is. There is not one correct version of her.

As a Black writer herself, Angie Thomas gives an authentic view of the culture through family dynamics, community, language, food, and rap influence. We don't get a picture-perfect version of a family with Starr's. Her father is a big motivator for Starr as he teaches his children all about strength, power, and pride. While her mother is protective and caring. They discuss the struggles and balance it all by remembering their love and humor with one another. 

Needless to say, this book does not sugarcoat the damage, pain, and grief caused by police brutality, racism, and systemic injustice. 

Overall, THE HATE U GIVE is powerful because it speaks to young readers about social issues through a character their age. It's a situation that can easily happen in today's world, while giving a look inside a culture for understanding and connection.

Review Excerpts

"Its in the authentic moments of humor, and in the way hope lives side by side with fear and anger in a story that is so much more than its plot and theme. (Age 13 and older)" CCBC, starred review.

"Yet speak she does, though not out of expectation but slender hope: I think we all wait for that one time though, that one time when it ends right.That hope seems slim indeed these days, but ultimately the book emphasizes the need to speak up about injustice, to have injustice be known even if not punished. Thats a message that will resonate with all young people concerned with fairness, and Starrs experience will speak to readers who know Starrs life like their own and provide perspective for others." Bulletin, starred review.

"With smooth but powerful prose delivered in Starr's natural, emphatic voice, finely nuanced characters, and intricate and realistic relationship dynamics, this novel will have readers rooting for Starr and opening their hearts to her friends and family. This story is necessary. This story is important." Kirkus, starred review.

Connections

This book could be used for conversations or units about racism, systemic injustice, or a multicultural literature study. There can be discussions about code-switching, finding one's identity, or activism. 

Awards... Many and they are all well deserved.

3 Apples Book Award, 2020, Winner, Teen

Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award, 2019, Winner

Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, 2018, Winner, Young Adult Literature

Amnesty CILIP Honour, 2018, Winner, Outstanding Writer

Arkansas Teen Book Award, 2019, Winner, Grades 10-12

Audie Award, 2018, Winner, Young Adult

Blue Hen Book Award, 2019, Winner, Teen Readers

Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, 2017, Winner, Young Adult

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 2017, Winner, Fiction

British Book Awards, 2018, Winner, Illustrated Children's Book

Buckeye Children's and Teen Book Award, 2018, Winner, Teen

Carnegie Medal, 2018, Short List, Children's Book

Children's and Teen Choice Book Award, 2018, Winner, Teen

Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2018, Winner

Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2018, Honor, Author

Cybils Awards, 2017, Nominee, Young Adult Fiction

Edgar Allan Poe Awards, 2018, Nominee, Young Adult

Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award, 2020, Winner

Evergreen Teen Book Award, 2020, Winner, High School

Florida Teens Read, 2019, Winner

Flume: NH Teen Reader's Choice Award, 2019, Winner, Grades 9-12

Garden State Teen Book Award, 2019, Winner, Fiction Grades 9-12

Gateway Readers Award, 2020, 1st Place

Georgia Peach Teen Readers' Choice Award, 2019, Winner, Young Adult

German Youth Literature Award, 2018, Winner, Prize of the Youth Jury

Golden Archer Award, 2020, Winner, Senior

Goodreads Choice Award, 2017, Winner, Young Adult Fiction

Grand Canyon Reader Award, 2019, Winner, Teen

ILA Children's and Young Adults' Book Award, 2018, Honor, Young Adult Nonfiction

In the Margins Book Awards, 2018, Nominee, Fiction

Indies Choice Book Award, 2018, Winner, Young Adult Book

International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Honor List, 2020, Honour List, Translation

Iowa High School Book Award, 2020, Winner

Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2019, Winner, Grades 9-12

Kirkus Prize, 2017, Finalist, Young Reader

Los Angeles Times Book Prize, 2017, Finalist, Young Adult Literature

Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award, 2020, Winner, Grades 9-12

Michael L. Printz Award, 2018, Honor

National Book Award, 2017, Long List, Young People's Literature

North Carolina Young Adult Book Award, 2019, Winner, High School

Northern California Book Award, 2018, Winner, Older Readers

Odyssey Award, 2018, Winner, Children (13-18)

Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2018-2019, Winner, Young Adult

Rhode Island Teen Book Award, 2019, Winner

Sequoyah Book Award, 2019, Winner, Intermediate

Silver Inky, 2018, Winner

Soaring Eagle Book Award, 2020, Winner

South Dakota Teen Choice Award, 2019, Winner, High School

Southern Book Prize, 2018, Finalist, Young Adults

Thumbs Up! Award, 2018, Winner

UKLA Children's Book Award, 2018, Long List, Ages (12-16)

Volunteer State Book Award, 2019-2020, Winner, Grades 9-12

Waterstones Children's Book Prize, 2018, Winner, Older Fiction

William C. Morris Award, 2018, Winner, Young Adult

Young Reader's Choice Award, 2020, Winner, Senior