The Hate U Give 5⭐️/5

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

5⭐️/5

Highly recommend this one! A 5 star-read even though it is truly YA and felt a little young (I sometimes struggle with how to rate YA books!) But the character development and dynamics were as real and authentic as any literary fiction book.

There is much to unpack and discuss (code-switching, micro-aggressions, the power of language, belonging and loyalty, identity and Blackness, family, the cyclical nature of racialized poverty, and more), and yet the story is an emotional one, populated with lovable characters that begin to feel like family.

And just like any family, there were moments that made me laugh, like Starr’s father observation about how the Harry Potter houses are like gangs was brilliant and funny.

Our protagonist, Starr, is strong, observant, funny, and relevant. Reading from Starr’s perspective felt more like I was watching a documentary at times, her personality big and present, but always reminded of the larger narrative.

This book is an invitation - to reflect, to feel uncomfortable, to embrace the utter heartbreak and helplessness Starr and her neighborhood experience, and listen closely to the difficult questions being asked.

Angie Thomas manages to write about an emotional and intense topic with a vulnerability you can’t help but admire.