The Hate U Give

Sixteen-year old Starr Carter lives in Garden Heights, a working-class community, with her close-knit family. Her father, Maverick, is a reformed ex-gang member who grew up in Garden Heights and once served time in prison. Now a family man and valued member of the community, Maverick owns the community grocery store. Starr's mother, Lisa, a nurse, was also reared in Garden Heights, in a family that aspired to have more for its children through education, just as she does for her own. Half-brother Seven and younger brother Sekani complete the family. Dismayed by the academic achievements of schools in their community, and wanting to give their children better opportunities, Lisa and Maverick enroll Starr and her siblings in Williamson Prep School, a predominantly white school about forty minutes away.

In Garden Heights, Starr is Starr Version One. She is comfortable speaking the slang vernacular of her community, enjoys hip hop without feeling self-conscious, but fears being seen as acting "white". At Williamson, Starr becomes Starr Version Two. There, she is constantly on guard not to appear or act too "hood." She refrains from speaking slang, even if the white kids do, her two best friends Hailey and Maya are not black, and her boyfriend, Chris is white.

Everything changes when Starr witnesses the shooting death of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer during a traffic stop. As the sole witness, Starr must choose between speaking up for Khalil, or remaining silent. Telling the truth could also endanger her and her family by implicating King, Garden Heights's drug lord whom Khalil worked for. And she worries about the Williamson community connecting her to Khalil's death, and what they will think.

As her community cries out for justice for Khalil, and word spreads about Starr's involvement, Starr finds herself navigating an increasingly volatile environment. Starr begins a journey of self-discovery, one that will reveal powerful truths and realisations about herself and where her true community lies.

Based on the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller by Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give stars Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, K.J. Apa, Issa Rae, Algee Smith, with Common and Anthony Mackie.

This powerful and evocative coming of age story is directed by George Tillman Jr. from a screenplay by Audrey Wells based on Angie Thomas' bestselling debut novel of the same name.