Venturing into the compelling and thought-provoking world of Angie Thomas’s “The Hate U Give” is like taking a journey through the heart of social change, identity, and resilience. If you’ve been deeply affected by the powerful themes woven into this novel, you’re in for an enriching experience. In this article, we’ve curated a list of 11 exceptional books like The Hate U Give.
These works, with their captivating narratives, delve into essential issues of racial injustice, empowerment, and the unyielding human spirit. Whether you’re an advocate for equality or simply on the lookout for your next captivating read, these books are sure to ignite your passion for meaningful literature and provide a platform for understanding, empathy, and the power of storytelling.
Books Like The Hate U Give
Concrete Rose (2021)
by Angie Thomas
The first book on this list is foreseeably the prequel to THUG, ‘Concrete Rose.’
‘Concrete Rose’ tells the story of Starr’s father, Maverick Carter, when he was a teenager, as he navigates the challenges of being a young black man growing up in Garden Heights.
The novel takes place in the late 1990s, as Maverick finds himself thrust into adulthood sooner than expected. At the age of seventeen, he becomes a father to a baby boy named Seven. Balancing the responsibilities of parenthood, school, and providing for his family, Maverick grapples with difficult choices and the harsh realities of his environment.
As he confronts the allure of the local drug trade, Maverick also faces the consequences of his father’s choices, which threaten to derail his dreams of a better future. With the support of his girlfriend and the guidance of his mother, Maverick strives to redefine his own path, fighting against the stereotypes and expectations placed upon him.
Total Pages– 368 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.40
Amazon Rating– 4.8
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 12 hours and 16 minutes to finish Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas.
Dear Martin (2017)
by Nic Stone
‘Dear Martin’ follows the life of Justyce McAllister, a diligent and ambitious African American teenager attending a predominantly white prep school. After experiencing racial profiling and witnessing a tragic incident involving his best friend, Manny, Justyce starts writing letters to Martin Luther King Jr. as a way to make sense of the racial injustice he faces. Through his letters, Justyce raises important questions about systemic racism and the complexities of modern society.
As Justyce continues to navigate his personal and academic life, he forms a friendship with Sarah-Jane, a white girl who challenges his perspectives and assumptions. Together, they confront racial prejudice and grapple with their own identities.
Like in ‘The Hate U Give,’ the author of this book doesn’t shy away from difficult topics either, yet she presents them in a way that is easy to comprehend, ensuring that the message reaches a wide audience.
Total Pages– 224 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.35
Amazon Rating– 4.7
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 7 hours and 28 minutes to finish Dear Martin by Nic Stone.
All American Boys (2015)
by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
This novel revolves around two high school students, Rashad and Quinn, whose lives intertwine after an incident of police brutality. Through alternating narratives of Reynolds and Kiely, this book tackles white privilege and racial oppression.
Rashad, an African American teenager, is brutally beaten by a police officer who mistakes him for a shoplifter. The incident is captured on video and sparks outrage in the community. Quinn, a white student and a witness to the incident, is faced with a moral dilemma as he struggles to confront his own biases and the loyalty he feels towards his best friend, who happens to be the brother of the officer involved. As the story unfolds, Rashad’s friends and family rally around him, demanding justice, while Quinn wrestles with his own guilt and the pressure to speak up.
Total Pages– 316 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.31
Amazon Rating– 4.7
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 10 hours and 32 minutes to finish All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely.
Love, Hate and Other Filters (2018)
by Samira Ahmed
‘Love, Hate and Other Filters’ is a captivating young adult novel that explores the life of a Muslim Indian-American teenager named Maya Aziz. Maya dreams of pursuing her passion for filmmaking and breaking free from the traditional expectations of her conservative parents. However, her plans are disrupted when a hate crime occurs in a nearby city, leading to increased Islamophobia and fear in her community.
While grappling with her own desires and dreams, Maya is torn between her love for a non-Muslim boy named Phil and the potential arranged marriage her parents have in mind. As tensions rise, Maya must find the strength to confront hate, challenge stereotypes, and define her own path.
Total Pages– 281 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.76
Amazon Rating– 4.4
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 9 hours and 22 minutes to finish Love, Hate and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed.
On the Come Up (2019)
by Angie Thomas
Written by the author of ‘The Hate U Give’ herself, this one is a must-read for all the THUG fans. ‘On the Come Up’ is also a coming-of-age novel and like THUG, also features a strong and relatable young female protagonist.
The story is about Bri Jackson, a sixteen-year-old aspiring rapper from the fictional neighbourhood of Garden Heights. Bri’s passion for music and her desire to escape the struggles of her community fuel her dreams of making it as a hip-hop artist.
Facing poverty, racial prejudice, and the legacy of her late father, a former underground rapper, Bri seizes an opportunity to showcase her talent in a rap battle. But as her song goes viral, Bri grapples with the consequences of her words, navigating the complexities of fame, loyalty, and staying true to herself.
As Bri’s rap career gains momentum, she also confronts personal challenges, such as her mother’s job loss and the constant threat of violence in her neighbourhood. Through her lyrical talent, Bri channels her frustrations and aspirations, becoming a voice for her community and challenging societal stereotypes.
Total Pages– 464 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.28
Amazon Rating– 4.7
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 15 hours and 28 minutes to finish On the Come Up by Angie Thomas.
Tyler Johnson Was Here (2018)
by Jay Coles
Marvin Johnson is a seventeen-year-old African American boy living in a rough neighbourhood. When his twin brother, Tyler, goes missing after attending a party, Marvin is left to navigate the aftermath.
As Marvin grapples with the uncertainty surrounding Tyler’s disappearance, he begins to question the societal injustices and systemic racism that plague his community. He becomes determined to find his brother and shed light on the issues that have led to Tyler’s disappearance.
Through alternating chapters between past and present, the author explores the bond between the Johnson brothers and the impact of racial profiling and police brutality on marginalized communities. Marvin’s journey is one of self-discovery and resilience as he confronts personal demons and fights for justice.
Total Pages– 304 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.88
Amazon Rating– 4.6
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 10 hours and 8 minutes to finish Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles.
American Street (2017)
by Ibi Zoboi
American Street is a gripping young adult novel that tells the story of Fabiola Toussaint, a Haitian immigrant teenager, and her struggles to navigate life in Detroit, Michigan. When Fabiola and her mother arrive in the United States, they are separated at immigration, leaving Fabiola alone to face the challenges of a new country. She is taken in by her aunt and cousins, but the realities of their gritty neighbourhood, known as “American Street,” quickly become apparent.
In American Street, Fabiola encounters poverty, violence, and the harsh realities of the American Dream, all while trying to preserve her Haitian identity and hold onto her faith. As she forms friendships and grapples with choices that test her loyalty, Fabiola must find her own strength to survive in a world that seems determined to break her spirit.
If you liked THUG for its young black female protagonists who navigates challenging circumstances and faces systemic injustices, or for the relationship of Starr with her family, this is the novel for you.
Total Pages– 336 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.00
Amazon Rating– 4.5
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 11 hours and 12 minutes to finish American Street by Ibi Zoboi.
Monster (1999)
by Walter Dean Myers
‘Monster’ is about Steve Harmon, a sixteen-year-old African American boy who finds himself on trial after being accused of participating in a robbery that resulted in a murder. Steve, an aspiring filmmaker, documents his experience through a series of journal entries and screenplay-like narratives.
As the trial progresses, Steve grapples with his own identity and struggles to maintain his innocence in the face of overwhelming evidence and societal prejudice. The novel delves into the complexities of the justice system, raising questions about guilt, innocence, and the power dynamics at play.
This novel will force you to confront your own biases and will challenge to critically examine the concept of justice in an imperfect world.
Total Pages– 281 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 3.73
Amazon Rating– 4.5
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 9 hours and 22 minutes to finish Monster by Walter Dean Myers.
Piecing Me Together (2017)
by Renee Watson
‘Piecing Me Together’ is a coming-of-age novel that follows the journey of Jade Butler, a talented African American teenager living in a low-income neighbourhood in Portland, Oregon, who attends a predominantly white private school on scholarship, where she often feels marginalized and misunderstood.
Jade is passionate about art and dreams of studying abroad, but she constantly faces microaggressions and stereotypes from her teachers and peers. When Jade joins a mentorship program called Woman to Woman, she is paired with Maxine, a successful black woman who encourages her to speak up and advocate for herself.
Throughout the story, Jade learns about the importance of self-worth, resilience, and embracing her heritage. She navigates complex relationships, both within her community and at school, while challenging societal expectations. Jade ultimately finds her voice through art and self-expression, discovering the power of storytelling and the significance of her own experiences.
Total Pages– 277 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.09
Amazon Rating– 4.7
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 9 hours and 14 minutes to finish Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson.
The Poet X (2018)
by Elizabeth Acevedo
The coming-of-age novel follows the story of Xiomara Batista, a Dominican-American teenager struggling to find her voice in a strict and religious household.
Xiomara, like Starr from THUG, faces internal conflicts as she tries to reconcile her heritage with the expectations and stereotypes imposed upon her by society. her passion for writing and poetry becomes her outlet as she navigates the challenges of adolescence, including her conflicts with her traditional mother, her burgeoning sexual awakening, and her desire to express her true self.
Through her poetry, Xiomara grapples with themes of identity, religion, body image, and the complexities of first love. As she becomes more immersed in the world of spoken word poetry, she discovers a supportive community and a sense of empowerment. However, she also faces judgment and backlash from those who don’t understand or accept her art.
Total Pages– 368 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.39
Amazon Rating– 4.7
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 12 hours and 16 minutes to finish The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo.
Anger is a Gift (2018)
by Mark Oshiro
Moss Jefferies is a teenager living in Oakland, California, who grapples with the aftermath of a traumatic event at his high school. As the school’s administration implements oppressive security measures, targeting marginalized students, Moss becomes increasingly frustrated and angry. Encouraged by his friends, he forms a resistance group called “Rise Up,” aiming to fight against injustice.
As the story progresses, Moss navigates his own identity as a black, queer teen, dealing with the complexities of friendships, first love, and family dynamics, which makes it similar to ‘The Hate U Give.’
Total Pages– 463 pages
Language- English
Goodreads Rating– 4.01
Amazon Rating– 4.6
If you read at a standard rate, say 30 pages per hour, it will take you 15 hours and 26 minutes to finish Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro.
Conclusion to Books like The Hate U Give
And that concludes the list for books like The Hate U Give!
‘The Hate U Give’ deals with important issues in a very sensitive and effective manner. Whether it was the writing style of the author, or how the main character feels out of place at her mostly-rich and white private school, or even the relationship of Starr with her parents that struck a chord with you, you must check out the recommendations in the above list.
If you think we missed out on any books like The Hate U Give, do let us know!
Additionally , if you want more books like The Hate U Give beyond the list above, you should consider-
- Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
- An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
- All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
- Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
- Conviction by Kelly Loy Gilbert
- The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake
- Calling My Name by Liara Tamani
- I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez