THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas

Realistic Fiction, Police Shooting, Racism, Conduct of Life, Friendship, Family

2018. 473 pages.

Multiple Awards including the Coretta Scott King and Printz Awards

Summary

"Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does--or does not--say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life." (Follett)

My Comments

I listened to the audio book. Excellent narration. I was riveted to the story and frequently cried throughout. A passionate, important book with characters who are courageous with strong values of loyalty, family, friendship, and justice. A remarkable book.

SO B. IT by Sarah Weeks

Realistic Fiction, Mentally Disabled, Identity, Mothers and Daughters, Conduct of Life, Hero's Journey

245 pages.

Description

"Twelve-year-old Heidi It and her severely mentally disabled mother survive through a combination of good luck and their next-door neighbor's loving attention. An undeveloped roll of old film leads Heidi to embark alone on a risky cross-country quest to answer questions about Mama's past. Narrator Heidi's realistic voice lends authenticity to her unusual circumstances." (Horn Book)

My Comments

A compelling page turner. Perfect for grades 5-6-7. Heidi is a brave girl who is seeking the truth about her mother's past. She is often frightened and lonely on her incredible journey across country, but her courage and help from kind strangers sees her through. Beautiful and riveting to the end.

Read the sequel: Soof

Description

"In this stand-alone follow-up to Sarah Weeks's beloved So B. It, a girl who the world might see as weird finds her footing and stands her ground.

All her life, Aurora has heard stories about Heidi and all the good luck she brought Aurora's family. Aurora, though, doesn't feel very lucky. The kids at school think she's weird. And she's starting to think her mom thinks she's weird, too. Especially compared to Heidi.

On the eve of a visit from Heidi, more bad luck hits Aurora's family. There's a fire in their attic, destroying a good part of their house. And, even worse, Aurora's beloved dog goes missing. Aurora and her family have always believed in soof -- Heidi's mom's word for love. But sometimes even when soof is right there in front of you, you still need to find it -- and that's exactly what Aurora is going to do." (The Publisher)