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4.58 AVERAGE
4.58 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
https://booksbird.wordpress.com/2018/11/03/the-hate-u-give-by-angie-thomas/
challenging
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not my usual choice but an important book to read.
16 year old Starr witnesses her friend Khalil be shot dead by a police officer on a traffic stop. The book follows the aftermath as Starr navigates talking to the police, DA, national media, her family, and friends. It's a good portrait of a 16 year old who doesn't share everything with her family, and doesn't tell her friends and boyfriend about it until they find out weeks later. Bits of different BLM themes come in, including dealing with riots in the neighbourhood where Starr lives; and there are contrasts between her life at private school (friends live in gated communities) and her neighbourhood where the nuances of living amongst drug dealing and gangs are presented in a complex way.
Ultimately it is about solidarity, loyalty, family, and finding ways to deal with injustice when it seems to be all around.
Excellent audiobook narrator!
16 year old Starr witnesses her friend Khalil be shot dead by a police officer on a traffic stop. The book follows the aftermath as Starr navigates talking to the police, DA, national media, her family, and friends. It's a good portrait of a 16 year old who doesn't share everything with her family, and doesn't tell her friends and boyfriend about it until they find out weeks later. Bits of different BLM themes come in, including dealing with riots in the neighbourhood where Starr lives; and there are contrasts between her life at private school (friends live in gated communities) and her neighbourhood where the nuances of living amongst drug dealing and gangs are presented in a complex way.
Ultimately it is about solidarity, loyalty, family, and finding ways to deal with injustice when it seems to be all around.
Excellent audiobook narrator!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Incredibly relevant and poignant. YA that everyone should read.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Murder
This book is about a 16 year-old black girl named Starr who witnesses a close childhood friend get killed by a police officer for doing, you guessed it, nothing wrong. Her life is completely upended after this traumatic incident and it changes her forever. Starr also goes to a predominantly white prep school where she struggles with her identity. She has to maintain two different identities, Starr at Williamson Prep, and Starr from Garden Heights, and in this book those identities start to clash. Starr wants justice for her friend, but she also wants to keep her head down and live. However, once she decides to speak up she has to deal with the anger and retaliation from the police, and the gangs that run her neighborhood.
This book hit a lot of powerful themes: identity, systemic racism, police brutality, interracial relationships, the impact of gangs in impoverished neighborhoods, the impact crime has on black individuals, and the validity of untraditional families.
This was an eye-opening read, especially for anyone who feels reluctant to understand the BLM movement. Even through the lens of a fictional 16 year-old in a YA book this will hit you HARD. The emotions I felt were overwhelming, and as a white woman who could never begin to relate, I will always try to understand and empathize and challenge the beliefs of those who don’t see the truth. If you ever for a second worried about the businesses during BLM protests, you should give this a read.
This book hit a lot of powerful themes: identity, systemic racism, police brutality, interracial relationships, the impact of gangs in impoverished neighborhoods, the impact crime has on black individuals, and the validity of untraditional families.
This was an eye-opening read, especially for anyone who feels reluctant to understand the BLM movement. Even through the lens of a fictional 16 year-old in a YA book this will hit you HARD. The emotions I felt were overwhelming, and as a white woman who could never begin to relate, I will always try to understand and empathize and challenge the beliefs of those who don’t see the truth. If you ever for a second worried about the businesses during BLM protests, you should give this a read.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
"The Hate U Give" is a powerful 5-star read that follows Starr, a courageous teen who finds her voice amidst tragedy. After witnessing the deaths of not one but two friends, Starr is thrust into the spotlight and must navigate the complex worlds of activism, family, and identity. This emotional and gripping story highlights her bravery as she stands up for what she believes in, making it a must-read for all.
3/5
the synopsis seems intriguing but i progressively lost my interest for this book from 50%.
the writing is ok, typically an YA's writing. all the matters are conveyed subtly and well enough for me not to drop it halfway.
there is so many things i expected this book would cover, but the story pretty much revolves around Starr and her daily life with nothing stands out. in other words, the plot is boring and character development felt flat to me.
the synopsis seems intriguing but i progressively lost my interest for this book from 50%.
the writing is ok, typically an YA's writing. all the matters are conveyed subtly and well enough for me not to drop it halfway.
there is so many things i expected this book would cover, but the story pretty much revolves around Starr and her daily life with nothing stands out. in other words, the plot is boring and character development felt flat to me.
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
This is my second time reading this. It should be read in every advocacy class, high school, etc. It’s well written & informative of the reality of folks that get labeled quickly, just because of their skin.
WOW, WOW, AND WOW. What an incredible story. I have no words---I just feel like my thoughts, my mind, and my heart are in a different place after reading this. It's a story that every one of us should read and take to heart. The next time you hear about a tragedy like this on the news, remember this.