Dear Fellow Reader,

Occasionally, I urge you to read a book because I think that it is THAT good. This is one of those books. This book is absorbing and is well paced. It is classified as a YA (young adult) book but I think that is too limiting for this book.

The Hate U Give is a story about Starr Carter. Starr is 16 years old and lives in the ghetto in an unnamed city. She attends a predominantly white private school and spends most of her time with her classmates. But during the spring break of her junior year, she reluctantly goes to a party in her neighborhood. While at the party she sees her old friend, Khalil and they start talking. While they are talking, shots ring out. Khalil tells her that they need to leave and that he has a car and will take her home.

On their way home, they are stopped by the police. Starr reviews in her mind the lessons drummed into her head by her parents about how to behave when stopped by the police. She hopes that Khalil has been told the same thing by his grandmother. She starts to worry when Khalil asks why they were stopped. The encounter escalates quickly with Khalil being dragged out of the car. When Khalil leans over to ask if Starr is okay, he is killed by the policeman.

Starr is then caught in events that cause her to rethink her life and friendships and how she should react to life events. Should she stay hidden or come out to seek justice?

I thought the book was incredible. It was 447 pages long and read faster than a book half the size. It drew you in from the very beginning. You could see the world from Starr’s perspective and feel for her conflicts.

I would love to drag out this review and tell you more of the story but I don’t know if my words can do it justice. I just think you need to read the book. I can’t believe that you won’t be affected by the story.

Thanks for reading!