The Hate U Give Review – Buddy Read with Debbie @ DebbiesLibrary

Synopsis from Edelweiss:

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.

About: The Hate U Give is a fiction novel written by Angie Thomas. It was published on 2/28/17 by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of Harper Collins, hardcover, 464 pages. The genres are young adult, fiction, and contemporary. This book is intended for readers ages 14 and up, grades 9 and up. According to Harper Collins’ website, the company is the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world, originally founded by two bothers, James and John Harper in New York City in 1817 and currently has publishing operations in 18 countries. Please see below for more information about the author. Please follow here to read my review on the author’s second book, On the Come Up.

Spotlight Q&A: Debbie @ Debbie’s Library

(These are questions I asked Debbie for her to answer. Stay tuned for our future buddy read where she will spotlight me on 13 Reasons Why).

What do you like most about this book?

 I liked Starr’s character and her voice the most in this book. She is so unique from all the other characters I have read about before. And I just loved her. The fact that it talks about the Black Lives Matter movement and I haven’t read any book like this before. I am white, so reading this gave me a better understanding how they feel.

Who is your favorite character?

Starr is by far my favorite character. She is sassy and hilarious, but she also has an unique voice in this book. I loved her.

Share a favorite quote.

“What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?”

“Brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you go on even though you’re scared.”

Do you want a movie made out of this book and will you watch it?

YES! And YES! But they have to stay true to this book and it would be wonderful if Angie Thomas is involved in the production of the movie.

Share one part that made you laugh the hardest in this book.

All the funny interactions between Starr’s family. That is how you write a family! I loved them, I lived with them and I felt their strong bond and love for each other through the pages.

How likely do you think what goes on in this book goes on in real life?

Very likely. The problem is, which is also talked about in the book, is that the media doesn’t tell the whole story. From the Netherlands I only get bits of news from America. Here there is also a protest from dark skinned people against a celebration day we have, Sinterklaas. If you Google an image of Sinterklaas, you will see why.

My Experience: I started reading The Hate U Give on 4/10/17 and finished it on 4/17/17 at midnight. I’m fortunate to have read this book with a wonderful blogger, Debbie from Debbie’s Library. Please click on the link to read her full review! It’s no surprise we both loved this book. It’s an amazing read! I cried hard and I laughed harder. This book is truly awesome. I could not do anything else but read this book all weekend! I neglect blogging, sleeping, and even eating to read! This book will definitely be my go-to when I need a good laugh on Voldemort’s reference or an overprotective brother who shows up at unexpected times or think he can beat his sister at basketball.

“Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right.” p. 154

In The Hate U Give, readers will follow the point of views of Starr Carter, 16 years old high school student living in two different worlds and keeping up with two different personalities. She’s born and raised in the neighborhood of Garden Heights, a city overrun by drug dealers and gang Kings where everyone speaks slang English and safety is a daily concern. Her parents wanted her and her brothers Seven & Sekani to have a good education and to keep them out of trouble so they sent them to Williamson, a prep school, where slang English is non-exist. At home, she deals with drive by shootings, gangbangers, and drug dealers. At school, she has to change into a new persona where she has to speak proper English and stay calm when she’s mad so people won’t think she’s an “angry black girl”. Even the exhaustion of it all, her school is her normal and her neighborhood is where she doesn’t fit in. As Starr’s world crash with an unexpected event, she’s confronted with whether she should be silent about her unhappiness or speak up.

“We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us. What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” p. 252

It’s impossible to read this book without showing any emotions. There are parts where I cried and there are other parts where I couldn’t help laughing out loud. I really like Starr’s attitude. Better yet, I really like all of the characters in this book, except Iesha’s bf King. I admire Starr’s strength after what she went through. I love the teachings her Daddy taught her and how she uses it in all situations of her life. I can even see myself utilizing her Daddy’s teachings! I love the humor in this book! The plot is interesting and I enjoy getting to know the King title and the color grey. There is no dull moment in this book. Uncle Carlos is a cool guy and Starr’s parents are cute. I love Starr’s family dynamic, especially with the ice cream and the basketball teams. This book! I will never run out of compliments for it and I will never stop reading it. I have to keep my review short & sweet because I don’t want to reveal too much of it. It’s my most favorite book and I highly recommend everyone to read it!

Pro: family dynamic, friendship, parent’s advices, strength, page turner, fast paced, humor, adrenaline rush, couldn’t put down, no dull moments,

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

Grab yourself a copy here: Book Depository

About the Author:

Angie Thomas was born, raised, and still resides in Jackson, Mississippi. She is a former teen rapper whose greatest accomplishment was having an article about her in Right On! magazine. She holds a BFA in creative writing. The Hate U Give is her first novel. You can find her online at http://www.angiethomas.com (Info obtained from Edelweiss and photo obtained from the author’s website).

***Disclaimer: I won this book in a Twitter giveaway from Kelsey Rodkey. Please assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine