The Hate U Give

by Campbell's Book Blog

Posted on November 9, 2017

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

Ms. Campbell’s Thoughts:

This book is definitely in my top five for this year. It was funny and heartbreaking all at the same time. I see Starr and Khalil in so many of my students (both present and past). I have to admit that there have been times while reading this that I had to put the book down and think for a while, because this book makes you think about some tough topics. This is a must-read for anyone who likes modern-realistic fiction; it relates to the black lives matter movement and to some other current issues that have been in the news.