I really enjoyed this
novel and believe that it's a strongly important book about the atrocities that
black citizens face regularly due to the stereotype and their skin color.
Thomas does an excellent job of engaging the reader to the story. The book is
very relevant in 2018.
This book should be read by all, especially American
citizens. The fact that black citizens are incredibly oppressed by the system
is a truth and should be recognized. Recognition is the first step towards
change. If we recognize, we are already halfway there.
Reviewed by Melody S., Grade 10
Montrose Library
6 comments:
This book is about a sixteen- year old girl named Starr Carter who witnesses her childhood best friend, Khalil, getting shot by a police officer. Everyone wants to know what went down that night of Khalil's death, and only Starr knows the truth. Many people blame Khalil for her death saying she could have been impaired and some say the police officer was completely irrational in his decision. The choices Starr makes regarding the situation could potentially jeopardize her life.
I personally thought the book was alright. I have read a lot of book and I would say it wasn't the best but is no doubt worth the read. I enjoyed the emotions conveyed by all the characters and how you could really put yourself into the situations of the characters which really connects you to the book. In conclusion, I recommend this to anyone who wants to be really connect with a book that makes you not want to put the book down.
Reviewed by E.B., Grade 9
Grandview Library
Starr Carter is a sixteen-year-old girl. Although she lives in a black, poor neighborhood, she goes to a school filled with white and rich kids. She’s conflicted because of this; it’s as if she lives two lives. After driving back home from a shooting at a party, a police officer stops Starr and Khalil, Starr’s childhood best friend. Starr was careful around the officer, but Khalil wasn’t, so the white police officer shot him with no hesitation. The police officer claimed that he was armed and ready to shoot him, but Khalil was completely unarmed. Starr was scarred; another best friend was killed and taken away from her. Everyone wants to know exactly what happened the night Khalil was shot, but Starr isn’t ready to be interviewed. People gather everyday protesting and saying Justice for Khalil. Starr was the only witness and if she keeps on staying quiet the police officer will continue being seen as the victim instead of Khalil.
This book portrays the ongoing racism and police violence. One thing that I liked in this book is that it’s set in modern times and it shows that this is still an issue a part of our society goes through every day and that the problem is not resolved yet. I also like this book because it shows that it’s important to stand up for what is fair and what you believe in. I recommend this book to teenagers and up and to people who want to read about what it’s like to go by as a teenager who lives life in both sides of the community, poor and rich.
Reviewed by AK, Grade 9
Montrose Library
Starr is torn between two worlds- the Garden, a hood filled with gangbangers where she grew up in, and her school- a rich private school where she feels like she has to act to not be seen as "ghetto" by the other kids. When her friend is shot by the cops for no reason other than being black, Starr is plagued by guilt and shock. She is disgusted and fearful of the news reports, all of which seem to favor the white police officer's case. Even worse, tensions between her father, a retired gangbanger, and the leader of the King Lords, is at an all-time high. Starr must fight her way through this terror and confusion to find what she believes is the right thing to do.
This book was an amazing book. It had a well-written, meaningful story, and exposed many problems we have today in our society and law system. Starr's point of view as a young black girl who has interacted with totally different kinds of people was also very interesting to read about- from the poor, drug-dealing hood she grew up in to the upper-class, prim, white neighborhood she goes to school in. I think people who like realistic novels, and novels written from a teen's point of view, would love this book. It was a different book than what I normally read, but I still really enjoyed it and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
Reviewed by NK, Grade 10
Montrose Library
Starr Carter has two lives. One in Garden Heights, where she lives and from the outside world seems like the hood because of the gangs and shooting that were going on. The other in a suburban area where she attends a fancy school. Balancing between the two very different communities was always uneasy for her. But one night, Starr saw her childhood best friend, Khalil, shot by a police officer, even though he was unarmed. The death of Khalil soon became known by the nation. Several people called him a thug and a drug dealer and told Starr that he was better off dead. The police have little interest in the case which causes people to protest. Starr's poor neighborhood becomes dangerous with riots. But in order to get justice for Khalil, Starr has to use her voice. Starr is the only person who can answer all the details, but doing so can endanger her life.
Personally, I enjoyed this book because it's not only educational but it has a very good story line. Before reading the book, I was aware of police brutality towards African Americans but I didn't know much. While reading it, I learned some things about it. It was also interesting because of the background of Starr. She lives in a poor neighborhood where gangs are a thing. And if she wants to get justice for Khalil she has to give details that can expose those gangs. The book gives you a perspective of the life of a black teenage girl. The book gives you one example of police violence and trying to get justice and liberty for an innocent person. It really shows how unfair law enforcement is towards African Americans. And it sucks because if you compare it to real life, these tragic incidents have happened several times.
Reviewed by A.C., Grade 9
Casa Verdugo Library
The hate U give written by Angie Thomas is about a young girl named star Carter. She’s a young black girl that lives in Garden Heights her hometown neighborhood. Start attends a pretty rich school called Williamson prep that has primarily white students. When she goes back to her home community she doesn’t feel the same she feels pretty out of place. Star goes to parties just like every other kid her age and after attending one of these parties experiences one of the worst things she could possibly experience the death of her male black friend. As a victim of police brutality the story takes off as star enters a journey that fights against racism, police brutality, and She becomes an activist for her community of young black boys and girls.
In my opinion, I truly enjoyed this book because I was able to have a different perspective on people in my own community. This book open my eyes to a world that I had never seen before, not only is it written just as a book but it’s based on a true story which makes it all the more real. The author writes with such deep history and with so much background that it feels like you’re one of the characters in the novel. I was truly inspired by this book and I’ve become an activist for my own community here at home.
Reviewed by SS, Grade 9
Montrose Library
Starr Carter is a 16 year old girl living between two worlds; her poor neighborhood, and the prestigious school she attends. The book starts off with Starr witnessing the murder of her friend, Khalil, by a police officer. The police tried to cover it up by labeling him as a drug dealer, criminal, etc. Starr has to deal with the trauma and belittling of her close friend’s death. She also has to deal micro aggressions at school and pressure from the police, being the only witness to his shooting.
This is a riveting and painfully honest book that portrays systemic racism in an informative and raw way. It is heartbreaking and upsetting to read as the murder of an unarmed black man by a police officer tries to be covered up, and all of the pressure is on a 16 year old girl, Starr Carter, who has to deal with trauma, racism, and disloyal friends. She also has to deal with many micro aggressions from her classmates and scrutiny from the police. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone because it is compelling and a very meaningful read.
Reviewed by SM, Grade 7
Grandview Library
Post a Comment