If you’re going to read only one recent contemporary novel then you have to make it The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - utterly heartbreaking, compelling, and one of the most important and relevant books out there today!
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If you weren’t aware, which I’m sure you are, THUG tackles the devastatingly real problem of unarmed black people, kids, killed by police. Thomas takes a heavy topic and gives it accessibility without taking away from the seriousness. If you feel under-informed about the Black Lives Matter movement then this is one of the books for you.
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As well as the A+ handling of social justice issues, THUG is a genuine pleasure to read as a story. Starr’s narrative voice is fresh and funny, and Thomas depicts her grief and anger with an accuracy that raises goosebumps and brings tears to your eyes. It goes without saying that young people are the future and if people followed Starr’s example of being brave and standing up for what’s right even when you’re terrified, then the world would become a much better place. There’s also a great supporting cast of characters, who add further depth to the story as well as other issues.
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If I only had one teeny tiny complaint it’s that I don’t gravitate towards contemporaries because constant reference to things like social media really throw me off for some reason. But obviously here, social media sites, like Tumblr and Twitter, play such a huge role in the BLM movement, and in our daily lives in general, that it’s impossible not to include them!
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Bottom line is, read THUG, and then buy a copy for someone else to read too. Everyone needs this one.