the hate u give: book review

 

Title: The Hate U Give

Author: Angie Thomas

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

Pages: 438

Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed.

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl’s struggle for justice.

 

My Review:

(A huge thank you to Walker Books Australia for sending this book my way in exchange for an honest review! This in no way affects my thoughts or opinions on this book.)

I’m going to be honest, I was a little hesitant going into this book. It hadn’t even been released yet but already the hype was through the roof (it’s released now, and you can buy it from all the wonderful booksellers). I’ve always been a bit wary of books with a lot of hype, mainly because I end up reading them and not understanding why it’s so hyped or I’ll have higher expectations (that are quite often let down) due to the hype. So, with all the hype surrounding it, you can understand why I was a bit sceptical about The Hate U Give. However, it well and truly deserves all the hype and love that it’s receiving.

I found it really hard to summarise my thoughts on this book for my review. It’s not that I wasn’t sure about the book, or that I disliked the book in any way, no, not at all. I just really struggled to try and express my love for this book, because, I goddamn loved this book. Like, loved it so much to say it’s my favourite read of the year.

The Hate U Give, as the synopsis says, was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. The story is largely focused on the need for justice for Khalil, who represents the many black lives that have been lost due to police brutality and prejudiced acts in the real world, in our world. It may be a piece of fiction, but for a lot of people out there this story is quite literally their reality, which is why it’s so important that it’s being told and that people are willing to listen and read about it.

The story also focuses on healthy and positive family relationships and friendships, which is always refreshing to see in Young Adult novels. I loved Starr’s relationship with her parents and her brother’s. They felt like a real family, who have disagreements and tease each other but at the end of the day they all look out for each other and love each other unconditionally.

This book will make you angry, it will make you sad, it will break your heart, it will make you smile, but most of all it will make you think and will you to understand. It will make you see the need for change and want to rally behind Starr and all the other brave people in our world who are standing up for justice.

The Hate U Give is such an important, powerful, and beautifully written story. It’s a book that will be remembered and talked about for many years to come. I honestly urge everyone to go out and pick this book up, whether you’re young or old, black or white, American or not; this story needs to be told and heard by everyone all over the globe.

 

My Rating:

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Have you read this beautiful book yet? What were your thoughts? What are your thoughts on there being a movie adaptation?

Until next time,