Thomas, Angie: *1988
The Hate U Give, 2017 - Language/Style
- English Language Level: Challenging, Informal
- Slang & Colloquial Language – The book uses lots of informal speech and slang typical of American teenagers, e.g., “lit,” “fam,” or expressions specific to African American communities.
African American Vernacular English (AAVE) – Some characters speak in AAVE, which has grammar and vocabulary differences from Standard English. This can confuse readers unfamiliar with it.
Fast-Paced Dialogue – Much of the story is told through dialogue, with quick exchanges, incomplete sentences, and idiomatic expressions. Understanding context is necessary.
Themes & Emotional Depth – The book discusses serious topics like racism, police violence, and identity, which sometimes require background knowledge to fully understand the nuance.
- Slang & Colloquial Language – The book uses lots of informal speech and slang typical of American teenagers, e.g., “lit,” “fam,” or expressions specific to African American communities.
- Understanding is challenging and informal because the book uses slang, AAVE, fast-paced dialogue, and casual, conversational language that differs from standard English.