Book Review: The Hate U Give

Marissa

6 years ago

“Once upon a time there was a hazel-eyed boy with dimples. I called him Khalil. The world called him a thug.”

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Published by Balzer and Bray, February 28, 2017
Genre: young adult fiction
Pages: 464

The decision to read The Hate U Give comes from seeing the trailer for the movie (2 months before its release). The movie trailer looked interesting and definitely relevant to the current situation of America today. When I discovered that it was a book, I decided that I have to read it before the movie is released. Deciding to read a book before its movie release is difficult. Mainly because there’s a large chance of disappointment, which by the way I have already seen with the trailer. Khalil grabs the brush when they are pulled over. I’m hoping to catch the director in an interview explaining why it was changed.

Synopsis

The story starts off with 16 year old Starr Carter attending a party. She reunites with an old friend/crush. After a fight breaks out, she gets in the car with Khalil and suddenly they are pulled over. Khalil was being disrespectful, cop made him get out of the car and when Khalil came to the window to check on Starr, he was shot dead.

Review

The story is set up in 4 parts: Part 1-When it happens, Part 2-5 weeks after it, Part 3-8 weeks after it, Part 4-ten weeks after it. Each part exhibits the emotions and difficulties that Starr is going through. This is a quick read. Quicker if you suspend a whole night of sleep–which I did. I absolutely love this book, the story, the characters, the situations and how real they are to life. I may not be able to relate to everything, but I can relate to Starr on a lot. She feels like a close friend. She let’s us hear her thoughts and feel her feelings.

My most favorite thing about this story is voice. Voice has always been my favorite part of reading. Starr’s voice is so strong in this story. No wonder I feel so connect to her.

The Best

Voice–it’s my favorite.
A glimpse into America’s current issue on racial relations and police brutality.
The duality of two worlds that Starr lives in.
The ending. It was beautifully and emotionally written.

The Worst

I. Don’t. Know. I love it. I don’t think there is anything I would change or anything that annoyed me except the police verdict, but it’s just life.

Quotes

“She’ll be the first person in history to hit someone through a phone.” -Starr talking about her mom.
“Sometimes you can do everything right and things still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right.” -Starr’s mom
Hailey-“What’s wrong with saying his life matters too?”
Starr-“His life matters more. That’s the problem.” -Starr and her friend fighting about the officer and Khalil
“We got to give you a whole bottle of mouthwash. Bout to raise the dead with that breath.”
“Besties before testes.”

Afterthoughts/Recommendations

I haven’t read too many young adult book. In fact none come to mind even as I type this. When it comes to reading, I tend to jump around genres, if you haven’t noticed yet. I can’t seem to think of a book that relates. I can recommend other books with Black Americans, which are also my favorites: Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Their Eyes Were Watching God (which is a movie starring Halle Berry).

Book-to-Life Connections

As a person who loves to read or watch shows, but rarely has the funds for travel, I like to spend time taking adventures through those avenues. So after or while, I am reading a book or watching a show. I find things that I don’t know much about or haven’t tried and I do them. The following are some things from this book that I am interested in learning more about and I will do them, share them, or whatever it may be.

Culture 1 and 2 , there are several cultural references that I’m going to write to articles about it.
Ribs, fried okra, potato salad
Graham crackers and peanut butter
Freeze cup
Sneaker heads
Songs