Let's BookTalk: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

from Goodreads.com

“Once upon a time there was a hazel-eyed boy with dimples. I called him Khalil. The world called him a thug. He lived, but no nearly long enough, and for the rest of my life I’ll remember how he died” (p. 442-443).

Starr is a teenager caught between two worlds. One world is where she lives with her family and helps them with their store in Garden Heights; a low income, hardworking neighborhood, facing violence in the streets due to the competing gangs in the area. The other worlds is where she goes to school, Williamson. In this world there are gated communities, suburbs, and what some would call “champagne problems.”

Both her worlds are shattered, when a police officer guns down a childhood friend in her neighborhood during a “routine traffic” stop and all she could do was watch from the passenger side of her friend’s car.

Now, she must make a choice. Silence or Speak Out?

“I always said that if I saw it happen to somebody, I would have the loudest voice, making sure the world know what went down. Now I am that person, and I’m too afraid to speak” (p. 35).

Let’s Booktalk: Mexican Whiteboy by Matt De La Peña

Trying to figure out your life is tough when you’re a teenager. Even tougher when you stand out, because of the color of your skin.

Danny is 16, standing at about six foot, with a passion to play baseball. But, he finds himself turning inward as you sees the world through color of his skin. Danny is a Mexican White boy, and the only half-Mexican who attends a private prep school in Leucadia.

Uno is a 17, over six foot tall black teen, who has a pitching arm that is well known in his neighborhood. He hustles who he can, where he can, to prove he is the best. His mother and stepfather tell him he won’t be any better than he is, and his father tells him he won’t change unless he tries.

Can two teens from different backgrounds find their escape in National City over the summer break? Or, will they only be what is expected of them because of the color of their skin?
 

Let's Booktalk-- The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah

Courtesy of Goodreads

Who is Sister Souljah? Winter tells us straight up she hates her. She tells us straight up she ain’t no charity case for Souljah to fix. Winter is a “bad bitch” and she will get what she wants in the end. That’s what her mom taught her growing up after all. So, who is this Sister Souljah, telling her how to live? Telling her beauty is more than what you are, but what you are willing to do to be it? Winter knows Souljah don’t know anything, just because she thinks she’s doing the right thing.

The right thing to Winter is doing what you want, and getting what you want, when you want it. Her mom did that up till she was shot, and Winter will do it too. So, what does Souljah know? Winter is beautiful, and she will get with whoever will give. It is Winter’s choice, so what if she chose better? Would she still be serving 15 years? Would she see one of her sisters making the same choices she did? Would she be a Sister Souljah?

Listen to the author talk about her book! HERE