Summary
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a groundbreaking young adult novel that has garnered widespread critical acclaim and numerous accolades since its 2017 release. This powerful story about racial injustice and police violence became an instant New York Times bestseller and remained on the list for over 80 weeks, cementing its place as one of the most impactful YA books of the decade.
Thomas's debut novel explores important themes through the eyes of 16-year-old Starr Carter, who witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend by a police officer. The book's raw portrayal of systemic racism and its effects on communities struck a chord with readers and critics alike, earning it multiple awards including the William C. Morris Award, Coretta Scott King Honor, and Michael L. Printz Honor.
In 2018, The Hate U Give was adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by George Tillman Jr. and starring Amandla Stenberg as Starr Carter. The movie brought Thomas's powerful story to an even wider audience, further amplifying its important message about racial injustice in America. Despite some controversy and challenges in schools, the novel continues to be widely read and discussed, sparking crucial conversations about police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Plot
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter lives in two worlds— the poor, predominantly black neighborhood of Garden Heights where she resides, and the wealthy, mostly white private school Williamson Prep that she attends. This delicate balance is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend Khalil by a police officer during a traffic stop. Khalil was unarmed, and his death soon becomes national news.
As the only witness to the shooting, Starr faces immense pressure from all sides. Some label Khalil a thug and possible drug dealer, while others protest in the streets demanding justice. Starr must decide whether to speak up about what really happened that night, knowing that her words could endanger herself and her family. She struggles to keep her two worlds separate as her Williamson friends remain unaware that she was the witness.
The situation escalates when a grand jury decides not to indict the police officer who shot Khalil. Riots erupt in Garden Heights, with peaceful protests devolving into violence. Starr finds herself increasingly pulled into activism, giving a TV interview and speaking out at protests. This causes tension with some of her Williamson friends, especially Hailey who makes racist comments. However, Starr finds support from her boyfriend Chris and friend Maya.
During the riots, Starr and her family defend their grocery store from King, the neighborhood drug lord. Though the store burns down, the community stands up to King, leading to his arrest. In the aftermath, Starr vows to continue fighting injustice and keep Khalil's memory alive as Garden Heights begins to rebuild. She finds her voice as an activist while navigating the complexities of her dual identities and seeking justice for Khalil.
Themes
Police brutality and racial injustice
Identity and code-switching
Family and community
Finding one's voice and activism
Media representation and stereotypes
Systemic racism and privilege
Coming of age and self-discovery
Setting
Set in the contemporary United States, The Hate U Give takes place primarily in the fictional urban neighborhood of Garden Heights. This predominantly Black and impoverished area serves as a stark contrast to the affluent, mostly white suburban community where the protagonist Starr Carter attends a private school. The novel's setting reflects the racial and socioeconomic divides that persist in many American cities today.
While Garden Heights is fictional, it represents very real urban environments across the country that face issues of poverty, gang violence, and tense police-community relations. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter movement, with protests erupting after the police shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. This timely setting grounds the novel in current events and ongoing national conversations about racial injustice.
Specific locations within Garden Heights play important roles in the story, including Starr's family's small grocery store, which becomes a gathering place for the community. The neighborhood streets, local hangouts, and even Starr's home all help illustrate the complex dynamics of this urban setting. By contrasting Garden Heights with Starr's wealthy school environment, the novel explores themes of code-switching and dual identities that many students of color experience as they navigate different worlds.
Characters
Starr Carter: The 16-year-old protagonist and narrator. Starr witnesses the police shooting of her childhood friend Khalil and struggles to balance her life between her poor, mostly black neighborhood and her wealthy, mostly white private school. She finds her voice as an activist as she navigates the aftermath of Khalil's death. Starr's journey of self-discovery and speaking out against injustice forms the core of the novel.
Khalil Harris: Starr's childhood friend who is fatally shot by a police officer in front of her. His death becomes a national news story and catalyst for protests. Though he was involved in drug dealing to support his family, Khalil was unarmed when he was killed.
Maverick Carter: Starr's father, a former gang member who now owns the local grocery store. He is a strong presence in Starr's life, teaching her about black history and encouraging her to find her voice. Maverick's past and his efforts to better his family and community are central to the story.
Lisa Carter: Starr's mother, a nurse who wants to move the family out of their dangerous neighborhood. She is protective of her children while supporting Starr's journey to speak out.
Seven Carter: Starr's older half-brother. He is protective of his sisters and struggles with divided loyalties between his mother and the Carter family.
Chris: Starr's white boyfriend who attends Williamson Prep with her. Their relationship is tested as Starr becomes more involved in activism following Khalil's death.
Uncle Carlos: Starr's uncle who is a police detective. He provides a different perspective on law enforcement and encourages Starr to give her statement about the shooting.
King: The leader of the King Lords gang. He is a menacing presence in Garden Heights and has a complicated history with Starr's family.
DeVante: A teenager trying to leave the King Lords gang. Maverick helps him, leading to conflict with King.
Hailey Grant: One of Starr's best friends at Williamson Prep. Their friendship becomes strained due to Hailey's insensitive and racist comments.
Maya Yang: Starr's other best friend at Williamson Prep. She supports Starr and also experiences racism as an Asian-American student.
Quick facts
The book was inspired by the 2009 police shooting of Oscar Grant, which Angie Thomas witnessed as a college student.
The title comes from Tupac Shakur's “THUG LIFE” concept, which stands for “The Hate U Give Little Infants F***s Everybody".
It started as a short story for Thomas's senior project in college before she expanded it into a full novel years later.
The book was the subject of a 13-house bidding war before being acquired by HarperCollins.
It debuted at #1 on the New York Times young adult bestseller list and remained there for 50 weeks.
The audiobook narrated by Bahni Turpin won several awards, including Audie Awards for Best Female Narrator and Best Young Adult Audiobook.
20th Century Fox optioned the film rights before the book was even published.
It was one of the most challenged/banned books in U.S. schools and libraries from 2017-2021.
As of 2018, the book had sold over 850,000 copies and been translated into over 30 languages.
About the Author
Angie Thomas, born in 1988 in Jackson, Mississippi, is an acclaimed American author best known for her young adult novels. Thomas's work often explores themes of racial injustice, police brutality, and the experiences of Black youth in America.
Before embarking on her writing career, Thomas pursued her passion for hip-hop as a teen rapper. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Belhaven University and was the first Black student to graduate from her creative writing program. Thomas's unique experiences and perspective as a young Black woman from the South have significantly influenced her storytelling.
Thomas's second novel, On the Come Up, was released in 2019 to critical acclaim. She followed this with Concrete Rose in 2021, a prequel to The Hate U Give. Her works have garnered numerous accolades, including the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the William C. Morris Award, and the Coretta Scott King Honor.
Thomas has collaborated with other authors on works such as Blackout. She views writing as a form of activism and strives to promote empathy and understanding through her stories. Thomas continues to reside in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi, where she draws inspiration for her powerful narratives.
