‘The Hate U Give’ is a Must-Read

The Hate U Give’; is one of those stories you’;ll call a classic a couple of years from now – its best-selling status says it all. Although it’;s a fictional tale, it still underlies the reality of many black American teenagers, seeing as police violence is rife and innocent youth are killed, sometimes for simply existing.

In this stellar tale, 16-year-old Starr Carter is trapped in two environments – one which is marred with violence and street gangs in a place she calls home, and the other in a white school where she often hides her personality from her more privileged friends for fear of being judged.

But one night changes everything when she becomes a witness to her friend Khalil’;s murder after a police officer mercilessly shoots him as he checks to see if Starr is OK.

Anyone who has a heart would feel a mix of emotions – from anger, disgust and sympathy for Khalil. But in a world that seemingly doesn’;t care, many of the reactions of characters in the book are that of judgement – and that’;s just how it is in real life. People don’;t care.

I love how the author Angie Thomas uses a new perspective for this story – from the view of a child and how she deals with the modern world. We hardly hear this point of view – it’;s mostly activists or politicians plastered all over the news, addressing problems and offering solutions. Not that it’;s a bad thing, but hearing what those affected have to say hits an even bigger nerve, which is exactly what the book does.

Thomas portrays her protagonist as a relatable teen who’;s got a lot on her mind from love and dating to friendships and how she feels responsible for speaking out because of the pressure of the people around her to do something.

In stories that are quite rare, Carter shares a special relationship with her father, a man imprisoned thanks to past mistakes, but hard working and caring for his family. It’;s not just the tough-as-nails character who doesn’;t show emotion. Nope. It’;s a pleasure to see a black man kiss his daughter on the forehead in affection, comfort her and simply stand up for his family any way that he can.

Also, it’;s interesting to see how people, even those in gangs, come together and defend Starr through protests and violence – even though it can get out of hand sometimes. But their hearts are in the right place.

According to the American Library Association, ‘;The Hate U Give’; has been listed as one of the most challenging books of 2017 due to its language usage. It was also under scrutiny after it was included in a school as a part of its reading list, while the police found it an “indoctrination of distrust of police”.

But it hasn’;t been all doom and gloom. The American Library Association granted it the William C Morris award and the book received the Odyssey Award for best children’;s audiobook as well as the Coretta Scott King Award for best novel by an African-American author for children as well as the Waterstones Children’;s Book Prize.

Because of its success, ‘;The Hate U Give’; has been turned into a movie starring Amandla Stenberg, KJ Apa, Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Anthony Mackie, Sabrina Carpenter and Algee Smith.