The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - 4 stars

[Ellen]

Starr Carter is a 16-year-old high school girl who lives between two worlds. Her home is in one of the city's poorest neighborhoods but she attends school in an exclusive academy as her parents want her to have the best education possible to secure a better future. A spring break party that Starr is attending with suddenly turns violent with fighting and gunshots. Starr leaves with her childhood friend Khalil and while they are driving home the police pull them over. Kahlil is told to get out of the car and after he is patted down three times the officer tells him to stay put while he calls the station. Instead Khalil opens the driver's side door to check on Starr and the cop opens fire, killing Khalil. As the only witness, Starr will find herself torn between defending her friend and starting possible race wars within her community. As cries for justice resound throughout the city and the nation, Starr has to decide what the right thing to do will be.

This is such a sad story but such a contemporary topic. Starr is a smart, sassy and fun-loving girl who found herself in a horrendous situation that even an adult would have difficulty with, let alone a 16 year old child. She is fortunate that she has a loving and supportive family and a few friends who will back her up no matter what. This debut novel is hard-hitting and extremely thought provoking.

[KateNZ]

I got part way through this then ran out of time on the library app. I need to book it again and finish the thing :)

[Meli]

I loved this, but I don't think I will be able to see the movie yet, too sad. With books you can really digest at your own pace and this is a very emotional book.

I love that despite the content, Starr is still a typical teen, so it is very ideal for teens, and very of the moment.

Can you believe people are trying to ban this book from schools!?
Insanity...

[Nicole R]

I cannot wait to go and see this movie. It will definitely be sad, I am sure that I will bawl, but I also think it will be inspiring.

I just sobbed my eyes out at A Star Is Born, why not keep up the crying trend?!

[Amy]

Our high school made THUG an option for summer reading. I love the book and felt all teens should read it.

[Magdalena]

I entered a giveaway for this. I never seem to win but I thought I'd try.

[Joanne]

Magdalena wrote: "I entered a giveaway for this. I never seem to win but I thought I'd try."

Keep entering them-took me a year, but i finally won!

[Joi]

Meli wrote: "Can you believe people are trying to ban this book from schools!?
Insanity..."

WOW I Hadn't heard this!! What's the "reasoning" behind it?
Our library and local bookstores are putting a huge push towards this book.

[Magdalena]

Joanne wrote: "Magdalena wrote: "I entered a giveaway for this. I never seem to win but I thought I'd try."

Keep entering them-took me a year, but i finally won!"

That's very encouraging! Did you end up liking the book you won?

[Meli]

Joi wrote: "Meli wrote: "Can you believe people are trying to ban this book from schools!?
Insanity..."

WOW I Hadn't heard this!! What's the "reasoning" behind it?
Our library and local bookstores are puttin..."

The claim was it encourages kids to distrust the police... Here are a couple articles. Looks like it was just one specific school district in TX.

https://bookriot.com/2017/12/01/the-h...

http://www.vulture.com/2017/12/the-ha...

[[deleted user]]

Great review! I've got this on my TRB to read. It sounds like a book everyone should read.

[[deleted user]]

Nicole R wrote: "I cannot wait to go and see this movie. It will definitely be sad, I am sure that I will bawl, but I also think it will be inspiring.

I just sobbed my eyes out at A Star Is Born, why not keep up t..."

Me too!! I had no idea that movie was going to end like that!

[Joi]

Meli wrote: "The claim was it encourages kids to distrust the police... Here are a couple articles. Looks like it was just one specific school district in TX. ."

Very interesting. Not surprised at all it's Texas.