The Hate U Give: Book Club Questions and Discussion Topics

Choosing The Hate U Give for your book club opens the door to meaningful discussions and engaging activities. Here’s how you can make the most out of your reading experience together:

The Hate U Give Discussion Questions

1. Starr’s Dual Identity: How do Starr’s two worlds—her home in Garden Heights and her life at Williamson Prep—shape her identity? How does she navigate these spaces, and what challenges does she face?
2. The Title’s Meaning: What does The Hate U Give mean to you? How does Tupac’s “THUG LIFE” philosophy tie into the book’s themes and title?
3. Family Dynamics: How does Starr’s relationship with her family influence her decisions and provide her with strength? What role does Maverick play in shaping Starr’s understanding of activism and resilience?
4. The Role of Media: How does the media portrayal of Khalil impact public perception? How do the differing narratives influence Starr’s choices?
5. Courage and Activism: What moments in the story highlight Starr’s growth as an activist? How does she overcome her fear and find her voice?
6. Community Representation: How does Garden Heights reflect both the struggles and strengths of marginalized communities?
7. Justice vs. Injustice: What does the novel say about the challenges of seeking justice in a biased system? How does this resonate in real life?

The Hate U Give Book Club Activities

1. Movie Night: Pair the book discussion with a screening of the movie adaptation. Afterward, compare the book and movie. Which scenes were most impactful in each? Were there any differences that stood out, and how did they affect the story’s message?
2. Research Tupac’s “THUG LIFE” Philosophy: Dive deeper into Tupac Shakur’s concept of “The Hate U Give Little Infants F***s Everybody.” Discuss how this philosophy applies to the characters’ lives and the systemic issues highlighted in the novel.
3. Creative Expression: Encourage members to write a short poem or journal entry from the perspective of one of the characters, reflecting on their emotions during a pivotal moment in the story.
4. Map Starr’s Worlds: Create a visual representation of Starr’s two worlds—Garden Heights and Williamson Prep. Highlight the challenges and strengths of each and discuss how they intersect.
5. Discussion Circles: Split into small groups to focus on specific themes like family, media, or activism. Afterward, come together as a larger group to share insights.
6. Social Justice Exploration: Research real-world cases similar to Khalil’s story and discuss parallels. How can activism, like Starr’s, bring about change?

The Hate U Give: Themes to Explore

1. Racial Bias and Police Brutality: Analyze how systemic racism and prejudice are depicted in the novel. How does this reflect real-world issues?
2. Family Dynamics and Support: Discuss the role of family in Starr’s life. How do her parents and siblings help her navigate her challenges?
3. Activism and the Power of Voice: Explore how Starr finds her voice and becomes an advocate for justice. What does this say about the impact of youth activism?
4. The Power of Storytelling: Discuss how Starr’s perspective brings Khalil’s story to life and challenges the narratives created by others.
5. The Role of Media: Examine how the media shapes public perception of Khalil. How does this affect Starr’s decision to speak out?
6. Community Strength and Resilience: Analyze how Garden Heights is portrayed as both a place of struggle and a source of unity and strength.
7. Identity and Code-Switching: Dive into Starr’s experience of navigating two different social worlds. How does this reflect broader conversations about identity?

This approach will not only spark dynamic conversations but also provide your book club with opportunities to engage creatively and connect the book to larger societal issues. The Hate U Give is a story that invites introspection and action, making it an unforgettable experience for your group.