Yes, The Hate U Give Is Banned!
ISBN: 9780062498533
The Hate U Give centers on Starr Carter, who lives in a poor, mostly Black neighborhood but attends a wealthy, mostly white prep school. When she witnesses a police officer shoot her unarmed friend Khalil during a traffic stop, Starr is forced to navigate the chasm between her two worlds as the shooting becomes national news. Thomas’ debut novel, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and the shooting of Oscar Grant, is a fierce, compassionate examination of systemic racism, police violence, and what it means to find your voice when every institution is telling you to stay quiet.
The Hate U Give has been one of the most challenged books in America since its 2017 publication, with over 180 total challenges. A school district in Katy, Texas pulled it from library shelves; Central York School District in Pennsylvania banned it along with other books by or about people of color before student protests forced the district to reverse course. Challengers cite its profanity, depictions of drug dealing, and what they call “anti-police” messaging. The book has been removed from libraries in Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma. Thomas has noted that the real-world events her novel describes, police killings of unarmed Black people, are far more graphic and disturbing than anything in her pages.
Why Was It Banned?
Where Was It Banned?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Hate U Give banned?
Yes, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas has been banned or challenged in 185 documented instances across 6 states in the United States, including Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania. It remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.
Why was The Hate U Give banned?
The Hate U Give has been challenged and banned for the following reasons: Racial Content, Language, Violence, Drug/Alcohol Use, Political Content. These challenges have come from school boards, libraries, and parent groups seeking to restrict access to the book.
Where is The Hate U Give banned?
As of 2025, The Hate U Give has been banned or challenged in Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma. Notable bans include Katy ISD (2022), Polk County Public Schools (2023), Beaufort County School District (2023).