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Not recommended
Content we'd steer families away from.
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- Published
- 2017
- Ages
- 14–18
About the book
About the book
A teenage girl witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend by a police officer and must decide whether to speak out.
AI summary
A teenage girl witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend by a police officer and must decide whether to speak out.
Why parents choose this book
What makes The Hate U Give worth choosing
An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.
Best for
- Age range: 14–18 (fits siblings across a range).
- Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
- Kids who tend to love it: Contemporary, Adventure.
- Personality fit: big-imagination kids who love new worlds.
Parents love this book because
- Written by Angie Thomas, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.
Your child will probably enjoy The Hate U Give if they…
- Enjoy adventure and quests
This book helps develop
Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 14–18 age band.
Things parents should know
- Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
- Language: occasional mild words for the older end of the band.
- Sexual content: references or fade-to-black moments.
Reading commitment
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Why we recommend it
We don't broadly recommend The Hate U Give for the 14–18 age band; see the notes above before choosing. It leans into contemporary in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. Angie Thomas's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.
Content ratings
Genres
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