Are you tired of books that always end with predictable “happily ever afters?” Lately, I’ve been drawn to books that tackle real-world issues, shedding light on injustice, identity and the power of speaking up. These stories challenge societal norms, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths and see the world differently. They don’t just entertain — they spark important conversations about privilege, activism and the complexities of doing what’s “right” in flawed systems.
“The Hate U Give,” Angie Thomas’ debut novel, is a perfect example of a timeless book that balances humor with powerful and controversial themes. Thomas has appeared on shows like CBS This Morning to discuss her books, and she has a strong online presence with her website, which contains information about her novels, upcoming events and her appearances in the media. Since her first novel, Thomas has written “On the Come Up,” “Concrete Rose,” “Blackout” and “White Out.”
In “The Hate U Give,” Thomas creates an impactful, relatable story by portraying the struggles of the main character, Starr, who is caught between two very different worlds: her mostly Black and working-class neighborhood and her predominantly white upper-class school.
Starr is initially very timid and struggles with fear and self-doubt. However, everything changes the night she witnesses the death of her childhood best friend, Khalil, who was shot three times by a police officer even though he was unarmed. This tragic event allowed Starr to grow into a more confident version of herself, one who is brave enough to speak out about what happened to Khalil.
Her evolution throughout the novel highlights the complexities of using one’s voice as a tool for activism, even when it feels dangerous or difficult. Each chapter in this book encapsulates what it feels like to be Black in predominantly white spaces, and it resonates with anyone who has ever had to navigate the challenges of living in a divided society.
Throughout the novel, Thomas uses Tupac as a symbol to represent resistance, truth and the harsh reality of systemic oppression. She named her book after his “THUGLIFE” philosophy, which stands for “The Hate You Give Little Infants F—-Everybody.” This phrase, tattooed across Tupac’s stomach, emphasizes the idea that the hatred and injustice that society directs at children, specifically Black children, does not disappear. Instead it grows, affecting not just those children but everyone in society. It’s a message about the long-lasting effects of racism and inequality and how they don’t just hurt individuals, but they create a ripple effect that harms society as a whole. The concept of the book is rooted in Tupac’s poem, “The rose that grew from concrete.” Thomas discussed this further in an interview with Walker Books.
“They grew up in bad circumstances and bad situations, ” Thomas said. “But they’re still roses, they’re still good there, they’re still shining.”
Thomas was inspired to write “The Hate U Give” in 2010 after the Oscar Grant case. Oscar Grant was a 22-year-old Black man who was killed on Jan. 1, 2009, by a police officer. This incident made Thomas question how her community would react if something similar happened in their neighborhood. She said that she wrote ‘The Hate U Give” as a way to process those thoughts, find hope and highlight the human side of these tragedies.
However, what stood out to me the most about this book was its dialogue. Thomas uses day-to-day slang like “on fleek,” “lit” or “throwing shade” to add to the authenticity of this story. Starr and the other characters using slang makes the book feel like something you’ve actually experienced because the language brings their world to life and makes their conversations feel real.
As a Black teenager in America, this book deeply resonated with me and was probably the most influential novel I’ve ever read. I first read this book four years ago and have reread it countless times after. It is a book I would recommend to anyone willing to read a book that doesn’t have a “happily ever after,” but instead shows the raw and unfiltered reality of African American life.
