This book, The Hate You Give, is not only a pleasure read, but an eye opener to racism. The main character of this book, Starr Carter, lives in a “bad” area, Garden Heights, where there are lots of shootings, gangs, and drugs, but this neighborhood is more than that to her. While leaving a party, Starr’s childhood best friend gets shot while driving her home. The cop said he thought he saw a gun, but it was a hairbrush. When Starr was ten, she also witnessed her other best friend get shot. So in the span of 6 months she was a first hand witness of both of her friends' deaths. She wants to stand up against Khalil’s unfair death, but the fear she feels overwhelms her. At her rich private school, she tells no one, and even faces racism from her own friends. She finally finds the courage to stand up for Khalil on live television, but the backlash is possibly deadly towards her and her family. She overcomes toxic friendships, racism, gangs, and more throughout the book with her family by her side. She stands up for Khalil, but can the world do what is best and arrest the cop that wrongfully killed him? When first seeing this book, I kind of assumed the plot would be bland and it would be a good but nothing great book, but I was wrong. This book had me so invested I would stay up late reading. Sometimes I get so caught up in my privilege of living in a nice area at a great school with no worries about gangs and murders. This book made me think about how others don’t have the opportunities that we have based on skin color or lack of options. This book is a great eye opener. If you are trying to read about racism or just trying to read a coming of age book, this book is a great read, and it is very engaging. It does have some sensitive topics, so be aware. If you read this book you should watch the movie too; it is good for visualizing the events, and seeing the events can emphasize the extremity of the situation. Overall, I give this book five stars, and I think you should add it to your to- be-read list.
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