The Hate U Give

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Throughout the novel, Starr code-switches between her Garden Heights self and her “Williamson Starr.” Have you ever felt pressure to present different versions of yourself in different environments? How did this affect you?

2. The novel explores how silence can be both protective and destructive. Reflect on a time when you struggled with whether to speak up about an injustice you witnessed. What factors influenced your decision?

3. How did Starr’s relationship with Chris make you think about your own experiences navigating cultural differences in relationships?

4. Starr’s mother tells her to make lists of the good and bad when deciding whether relationships are worth saving. How do you evaluate which relationships in your life are worth maintaining versus letting go?

5. The community rallies around Maverick’s store after it’s destroyed. What experiences have you had with community support during difficult times?

Examine the book’s relevance to broader societal issues, cultural trends, and ethical dilemmas.

1. How does the novel’s portrayal of media coverage of police shootings reflect real-world media treatment of similar events? What parallels do you see? How does this novel’s depiction compare to that of other works, such as Nic Stone’s Dear Martin?

2. The novel explores how economic pressures influence characters’ choices in Garden Heights. How does this illustration of systemic inequality challenge common narratives about personal responsibility?

3. How does Thomas’s portrayal of activism and protest compare to contemporary social justice movements you’ve observed or participated in?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and use of narrative techniques.

1. How does Thomas use Tupac’s concept of “THUG LIFE” as both a literal conversation topic and a metaphor? What layers of meaning does this add?

2. Examine the role of Uncle Carlos as both a police officer and a Black man. How does his character complexity contribute to the novel’s larger themes?

3. How do the contrasting characters of Hailey and Maya serve to illustrate different responses to confronting one’s own biases? Does the novel suggest one way is preferable?

4. Consider the significance of Starr’s father naming his children after Black Panthers. How does this detail connect to the novel’s broader themes of Black identity and resistance?

5. Analyze how Thomas uses Khalil’s hairbrush as both a plot device and a symbol. What multiple meanings does this object carry?