Book Review - The Hate U Give

WITH a plot inspired by the numerous police shootings of young black men that happen almost daily in the United States, this book could have easily strayed into socio-political grandstanding, but Angie Thomas keeps her story firmly grounded, letting us see the effects one single death has on an entire community, and making its impact felt long after you finish reading.
Starr is a bright teenager, who is also the only black girl in a suburban private school. She still keeps close contact with her childhood friends, all of whom live in rough neighbourhoods.
One night, Starr is being driven home by her friend Khalil, when a simple traffic stop ends with him being shot by a police officer.
From that moment, Starr's life begins to change. As the only witness to what happened that night, she must decide whether or not to come forward to tell the truth.
The situation also begins to get complicated fast, as the police, local drug dealers and human rights protestors begin to close in on the neighbourhood. Starr is also facing some added pressure from her schoolmates, as the mostly privileged, white group just cannot relate to her experiences as a young black woman.
I enjoyed the many different twists the story goes through, and how Thomas manages to depict the harsh realities that face the black community in the US, as well as making us question how we would act in such dire situations.