This month’s pick for the monthly book review is not always easy or pleasant, but it is an important, impactful book that everyone should read. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is not only an excellent young adult novel, it is a book that penetrates to the heart of contemporary issues. Starr Carter, a 16-year-old African-American girl living on the ‘bad side of town,’ is the sole witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend Khalil by a police officer during a traffic stop. Starr must decide if she will use her voice to tell the truth about Khalil’s death, even if it may destroy her life.
Thomas’ novel is not preachy or lecturing, but a nuanced look at complex issues. It is also emotional and real, and all of the characters have their own unique voices. I loved Starr’s family and the supporting cast, but Starr is the true star of the novel, and her voice shines through like a beacon. She is a typical 16-year-old girl dealing with adult problems and issues, yet she retains her sense of humor and love for the people around her, and she grows as a person over the course of the novel. There is a reason this book has been selected as required reading for so many school districts, and that is because it lets the reader see a side of the world they may not know about, as well as giving a voice to the minority experience in the United States. Again, everyone should read The Hate U Give. It will open your eyes.
Review by Shannon Wood
Adult Services Librarian
Nordonia Hills Branch Library
