The hate u give novel My book, The Hate U Give, written by Angie Thomas, is about a 16-year-old black girl named Starr Carter. She attends Williamson Prep and lives in Garden Heights, “the ghetto” as some call it. She and her family live there cause that’s where they believe their people are. Her family includes Her momma, Lisa Carter who works as a nurse at a clinic in Garden Heights. She later on moved to a better job at a different location. Her Daddy, Maverick Carter, “Big Mav” is what people tend to call him. He owns a grocery store in garden heights and has a strong belief in black Jesus. He has been in jail for 3 years of Starr’s life to be let out of the gang system. Meaning he used to be a drug dealer. Her half-brother, Seven is the child of Iesha, the girlfriend of the biggest drug dealer in the city, “King” and Maverick Carter. Seven Attends a private fancy suburban school called Williamson Prep. He and Starr have a strong relationship and share the same sports interest, basketball. They have a tradition every month where they go to the basketball court and play against each other. Starr usually wins. And finally her youngest brother, Sekani. He also attends Williamson Prep. He is in constant bickering fights with Starr. “The high school is where you go to get drunk, high or pregnant”-Starr. That is why she and her two brothers go to a private school. Starr is constantly switching between two lives, her poor black neighborhood and her fancy private white school.
This book is surrounding the brutal event of Khalil’s death. Starr was at Big D’s party, and so happens to be Khalil. They both haven’t been in contact with each other for quite some time. They meet up at the party and start catching up. Just then a sudden sound of gunshots from the middle of the room alarms everyone around. Khalil grabs Starr’s hand and rushes her out and into his car, and drives like there’s no tomorrow. They get a fair distance away before being able to relax. Khalil, unaware that his tale light is broken, is pulled over by a white cop. He asks Khalil for his license and registration, then asks Khalil to step out of the car. Starr is shaking with her hands on the dashboard. Khalil comes to the window to ask if she’s alright. All of a sudden POW POW POW, three gunshots to Khalil. Starr rushes out and tries to stop the bleeding. The officer yells at Starr while keeping his gun at her until backup shows up. This later leads to a feud about how the cop shot Khalil because he was black. All over the news, in the papers is about the anger from the black people of garden heights saying how the officer should be arrested for the murder of Khalil. Then there are things about Khalil, like that he may have been a drug dealer, that the authorities are using to defend the officer. Starr is questioned by the police, and gives a statement as the witness, hoping she can be heard and have this officer placed under arrest.
The Hate U Give title is based on “ Thug” But the whole title is “Thug Life”. Meaning “The Hate U Give Little Infants ***** Everyone”. Angie Thomas wanted to use this title for her book but realized the title was too long and too inappropriate for young adults. This book also explains and uses this title within the storyline.
I personally love this book, I feel like it was a great way to show a real-life scenario of racism. This is a 444-page book and every chapter had me wanting more. I don’t usually get into books, but this one was greatly written and never got boring. The whole book was from Starrs point of view. This book also had a lot of detail so it was really easy to picture it in my mind. I wouldn’t change a thing. There is a movie based on the book released on October 19, 2018. Based in Atlanta, Georgia. I am definitely going to find the time to watch it.
