I finally got around to reading The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas, a #1 New York Times bestselling teen book that is currently being filmed for the big screen. And the only word I can think to describe it is shattering.
In The Hate U Give, Thomas tells the story of 16-year-old Starr Carter, who witnesses her childhood best friend, Khalil, killed by a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
This is an important book for teaching about the tension between black Americans and police officers, one that handles the issue with grace, truth, and so much care. Thomas provides such significant insight into the gangster life and the issue of wrongful death on behalf of cops and the movement gathering around this issue to change relations in the future. It shone a light on the way a black person feels about police brutality cases and should be required reading, I believe, for all white people. I say that as a white person myself.
Here are three things I enjoyed most about the book:
- The main character. Starr was such a well-drawn character, and she wasn’t alone. Even the periphery characters, like Starr’s grandmother (who was one of my favorites), came alive on the page. Thomas has a knack for showing her readers a character through carefully constructed dialogue that I found entertaining, humorous, and sober at times.
- The dialogue. Thomas is a master at dialogue, and every conversation characters had made me feel like I was in the room with them, watching their words unfold.
- The premise. This was such an important book. It will raise dialogue among those who are open-minded and curious about what we can all do to make the world a better place for all people.
Here’s an example of Thomas’s expert handling of dialogue to show character in a hilarious way:
“We know,” Daddy says. “Once we get in touch with your momma, we’ll get you enrolled in an online program. Lisa’s momma is a retired teacher. She can tutor you through it so you can finish the year out.”
“Like hell I can!” Nana says. I don’t know where she is, but I’m not surprised she’s listening.
“Momma, stop being nosy!” Uncle Carlos says.
“Stop volunteering me for shit!”
“Stop cursing,” he says.
“Tell me what to do again and see what happens.”
Uncle Carlos’s face and neck go red.
The doorbell rings.
“Carlos, get the door,” Nana says from wherever she’s hiding.
He purses his lips and leaves to answer.
The Hate U Give is definitely a book that will be on my sons’ list when they become teenagers.
“Like hell I can!” Nana says. I don’t know where she is, but I’m not surprised she’s listening.
“Momma, stop being nosy!” Uncle Carlos says.
“Stop volunteering me for shit!”
“Stop cursing,” he says.
“Tell me what to do again and see what happens.”
Uncle Carlos’s face and neck go red.
The doorbell rings.
“Carlos, get the door,” Nana says from wherever she’s hiding.
He purses his lips and leaves to answer.
The Hate U Give is definitely a book that will be on my sons’ list when they become teenagers.
The book mentioned above has an affiliate link attached to it, which means I’ll get a small kick-back if you click on it and purchase. But I only recommend books I enjoy reading myself. Actually, I don’t even talk about books I didn’t enjoy. I’d rather forget I ever wasted time reading them. (But if you’re curious whether I’ve read something and what I thought about it, don’t hesitate to ask.)
