This month’s FYA Book Club selection is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Check out the discussion questions below! (Slight spoilers ahead.)
P.S. If you’ve already read the book, feel free to add any other discussion questions of your own in the comments!
Icebreaker
Among Starr’s throwback (for her) faves are Tupac and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Do you have any faves from way before your time?
Questions
1. The book’s title comes from Tupac’s quote about THUG LIFE (“The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody”). Do you agree with his assessment? How do you see this manifested both in the book and in the real world?
(modified from the Walker Books discussion guide)
2. Starr often feels like an outsider in both of her social circles in Garden Heights and at Williamson Prep, even adjusting her mannerisms depending on which group she’s around. Have you ever noticed yourself doing this between different groups of friends?
3. How much did you want to be adopted into Starr’s awesome family?
4. Starr’s parents had a complicated relationship, full of good and messy moments. When Starr asks Lisa about why she stayed with Maverick despite his indiscretion with Seven’s mother and his criminal past, Lisa says:
“When I was growing up, your grandmother would do and say hurtful things when she was drunk, and apologize the next morning. At an early age I learned that people make mistakes, and you have to decide if their mistakes are bigger than your love for them.”
Do you agree with that type of thinking? Would you have been able to forgive Maverick?
5. Angie Thomas created a realistic, vibrant, and colorful sense of place with regards to Starr’s community. Who was your favorite side character outside of the Carter family?
6. What did you think of Starr and Chris as a couple?
7. Starr calls out Hailey on her racist and problematic behaviour, before ultimately ending the friendship. Have you ever been on either side of a similar situation about an insensitive comment (or worse)? How did you handle it?
8. What did you think of how the trial unfolded? What had you hoped would happen, and what did you expect would happen?
9. Khalil’s story is unfortunately all too familiar to real-life examples. Are there any legislative solutions that you’d like to see implemented to end police brutality?
10. There is so much humor in the book alongside the heartbreak. Did you have any laugh-out-loud moments?
11. The film adaptation is currently in production. (No release date yet, but filming just concluded.)
- Do you plan on seeing it?
- What do you think of the casting?
- Which parts are you most looking forward to?
- Is there anything that you hope the movie will change or improve upon?
