Guest Blog: The Hate U Give Tells “A Very Heartbreaking And Inspiring Story”

Note from Elena Reads:  Today’s guest blogger is 20-year-old Jahnaye  Chapman. Below is her take on The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas:

You could not get me to put this book down, I literally spent an entire day reading this book cover to cover!

There are so many important topics The Hate U Give covers throughout the book, but let’s talk about the really big one, Police Brutality …

The main character, 16-year-old Starr Carter, goes to a party one night with some of her old friends. After the party ends abruptly, one of her friends, Khalil offers to drive her home. She and Khalil get pulled over by the police, and while Khalil is waiting for questioning outside the car, he is sadly killed by the police officer. Starr is left in the car as an eyewitness to her friend’s death.

I’ve only heard about stories of police brutality through the news, and books like The Hate U Give, and it really makes me sad because situations like this happen on a daily basis across America. As a young black woman, it’s really hard to see and read about people like me getting hurt by the people who are supposed to protect all of us.

Although the book does discuss a horrible tragedy, the author made it a point to have Star overcome her situation by not only talking about it with family and friends, but by bringing her story to the media also. Star gets to find her voice throughout the book, despite having a few roadblocks along the way.

The Hate U Give gives readers a very heartbreaking and inspiring story about a teen’s life after the unfair death of her friend. I don’t want to give away too much because this book is amazing! I definitely recommend this book to an older audience (middle school and above), because there are some scenes that can get a little graphic. I also recommend this to anyone who likes to read books that reflect on real- life events.

This book definitely deserves 4 out of 4 Roses!

Happy Readings!

Another note: (Guest blogger Oscar Wolfe also reviewed this book. To read what he said, click here.)