Part One
Thomas, A. (2017). The hate U give. New York, NY: Walker Books.
9th grade and up
Fiction
Part Two
The Hate U Give was an eye opening read. It was the perfect time for me to read it considering everything going on in America. Being white, I can only try to imagine the experiences black people face each and every day. This book thrust me into the world of Starr and her struggle between the black community where she lives and her school community. It made me sad to see how she had to make an effort to be different in each of her worlds in order to fit in. The Hate U Give is filled with a few statements that made me question my own behavior and thoughts. One quote is, “That’s the problem. We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us. What’s the point in having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” I believe, being kind and accepting to everyone is important, however, standing up for those who are oppressed if even more important. When reading this book with students, I would use the following writing prompts;
- What is the message in The Hate U Give concerning the power in one’s voice?
- How does Starr’s character change from the beginning to the end of the novel?
- Discuss the novel’s message regarding the dichotomy between justice and safety.
Part Three
16 year old Starr Carter lives in two different worlds. One, her own black neighborhood, and the other the mostly white private school she attends. She is thrust into the spotlight when she is the only witness present when her childhood friend, Khalil, gets shot by a police officer and dies. Starr learns the importance and costs of speaking out and standing true to what she believes is right. The themes of this book are identity and blackness, black lives matter, family, community, belonging, and loyalty.
Part Four
9th grade students will write a well developed, 5 paragraph essay on their computers in a word document, to answer the essay topic question during 2, 50 minute periods with no spelling or grammatical errors.
Essay topic question: Starr has two father figures: Maverick and Uncle Carlos. Compare and contrast them. How do they influence Starr? How does Starr challenge them?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.3.A
Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a style manual (e.g., MLA Handbook, Turabian’s Manual for Writers) appropriate for the discipline and writing type.
https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/the-hate-u-give/essay-topics/
Discussion Questions
- How do you think Starr would define family?
- Chapter 2 begins with Starr flashing back to a talk her parents had with her when she was young. It was about what precautions to take when encountering a police officer. Have you had a similar conversation about what to do when stopped by the police? Explain.
- How and why does the neighborhood react to the grand jury’s decision?
Children's Literature - EDUC 325 