Review: The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is an extraordinary story. It shines a light on the complications of racism in a 16-year-old girl's daily life which is balanced between her two worlds: The one at school with all the wealthy kids, and the one in her neighborhood, which is poor. When Starr's best friend Khalil is killed by a white police officer, her life is changed forever.

Everywhere she goes, she is faced with contradictions. Her black uncle is a police officer, her boyfriend is white. Her dad was in a gang but turned himself around.

If you're in a gang does it mean that you're bad forever and will never change? Will society look at you only through one lens?

The white police officer judged Khalil, assuming that he was in a gang and had a gun in his car. Angie Thomas has written a story with a complex topic and told it in such as way that it can be understood by young readers. I would recommend this books to everyone aged 13 and older. The lessons in the book are universal and make us think of how important is to look beyond the colour of one's skin.