The Hate U Give

I was absolutely blown away by Angie Thomas's powerful writing. Starr is one of the most fully realized and authentic characters I've ever come across in YA, and every single supporting character was realistic and expertly nuanced.The power punches that Thomas packs in relatively simple sentences, the way she's able to concisely and expertly capture such social complexity but distill it into a simple line of thought or dialogue, is nothing short of magic. Required reading for middle school to adult, and maybe even especially adults.

Some favorite examples:

p.186 “They act like I'm the official representative of the black race and they owe me an explanation. I think I understand though. If I sit out a protest, I'm making a statement, but if they sit out a protest, they look racist”

p. 245 “Funny. Slave masters thought they were making a difference in black people's lives too. Saving them from their ‘wild African ways.' Same shit, different century. I wish people like them would stop thinking that people like me need saving.”