The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas has been one of the most talked about novels of the year. Our staff share why this is.

‘I can’t recommend The Hate You Give highly enough. It is the story of 16-year-old Starr who is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. As the reverberations of the crime spread throughout their community, Starr must contend with her own grief and trauma, as well as the the expectations of those around her.

Angie Thomas writes with complete grace, intelligence and compassion. Images of violence against black bodies may be all over our social media, but it is much more challenging to find a way to engage with the stories and the voices of the communities affected. Thomas ensures every single character in this novel feels fleshed out and Starr is one of the most multidimensional YA characters I have read in a long time – nuanced and complex. Some of the characters also allow Thomas to address questions about being an effective white ally.

Ultimately, The Hate You Give reaffirms the power for young people to choose to reject racism in their own lives.’ – Kushla Egan, bookseller at Readings Kids

‘One of the most important books of 2017, The Hate You Give is a moving and gripping novel about growing up in contemporary America. In this timely and extremely readable story, Angie Thomas covers a range of issues that impact on the lives of young black Americans – issues that need to be addressed by everyone. This fantastic book questions assumptions about what the media portrays to us, and is ideal for both teens and adults.’ – Julia Gorman, bookseller at Readings Kids

‘While this book tackles some difficult topics, Thomas imbues the story with such genuine warmth and hope. I loved Starr immediately. Like the main character of Jane Harrison’s wonderful debut, Becoming Kirrali Lewis, she is someone who straddles two worlds. In Starr’s case, it’s represented by actual locations – Garden Heights, the poor neighbourhood where she lives and Williamson, the fancy suburban prep school she attends – and her struggle to balance her two separate identities is heartbreaking. I expect to see The Hate You Give listed on a countless number of ‘Best of years’ lists.‘ – Bronte Coates, digital content coordinator

'Stop whatever you are doing right this second and find yourself a copy of Angie Thomas’s debut novel. The Hate You Give is an incredibly immersive read which completely pulls you inside the mind of its narrator, 16-year-old Starr. For me, the real power of this book is that Starr never feels like a political statement. Rather, she is a vulnerable, fallible and entirely lovable teenager trying to figure out how to live honestly in the midst of an extremely complex world.

The complexity, vulnerability and occasional incongruity of lived experience that Thomas imbues in this novel gifts it an incredible richness. Like in real life, nothing is simple. We understand Starr’s mother’s desire to seek safety for her children by moving elsewhere, just as we understand Starr’s father’s deep loyalty to his neighbourhood and community. We see the disparity between the image of Khalid being shared by the media, and of Starr’s own knowledge about her friend. We witness Starr’s struggle to be honest with her own boyfriend, who is white, as well as Starr’s uncle struggle with his life as a black police officer. Young or old, Starr’s journey through a world where whiteness is the silent and invisible norm will affect every reader.’

– Britt Munro, bookseller at Readings Kids

‘This YA novel should be required reading for all ages. Angie Thomas has drawn on multiple real-life incidents to write this novel, including some of her own experiences growing up. Starr is such a memorable protagonist, and I felt a strong connection to her as I read – despite my life being entirely different to hers. The Hate You Give is one of those special books that manage to be both important and educational, without becoming didactic or preachy.’ – Ellen Cregan, bookseller at Readings Doncaster

‘A lot of the publicity around The Hate U Give has described it as a Black Lives Matter novel. While it undoubtedly does expose the fears, lies, bias and prejudice around racialised violence in America, this story is also a delicate, compassionate and thoughtful exploration of a young woman under extreme pressure.

Thomas crafts Starr’s bewilderment and grief perfectly. Then she piles on the pressures that the teen faces as the only witness to a crime, as well as someone who knows the real Khalil – not the thug inaccurately portrayed in the media. Personal needs clash with community needs as Starr struggles with the decision to testify before a grand jury, and whether she wants to enter the world of activism. Woven around this central issue are some of the more vexing aspects of Starr’s life – having a white boyfriend her father would definitely not approve of, subtle acts of racism from supposed friends, the challenges and poverty of her local community, and a close friend dealing with a violent family life.

If you love authentic teenage first-person voices, social commentary, big emotions, political activism and wry humour, you really should read The Hate U Give.’– Leanne Hall, bookseller at Readings Kids