The Hate U Give tackles serious issues, and students should be prepared for intense discussions. White students should especially be aware that the discussions aren't about hypothetical or fictional situations for black students, who deal with blatant racism as well as microaggressions on a daily basis. While there is language in the book that could be considered inappropriate for ninth graders, teachers should be careful not to manage students' commentary based on their tone; the focus must be on their arguments themselves, rather than whether they explain them "politely enough."
The thought questions in this lesson plan provide material and ideas that students can use to write short...
