📖 Overview
Angie Thomas is an American author of young adult fiction who gained prominence with her debut novel "The Hate U Give" (2017). Born in 1988 in Jackson, Mississippi, she became the first Black graduate of the creative writing program at Belhaven University.
Her breakthrough novel "The Hate U Give" addresses racial justice and police brutality through the story of a teenage girl who witnesses the police shooting of her unarmed friend. The book spent over 200 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and was adapted into a major motion picture in 2018.
Thomas has continued to explore contemporary social issues in her subsequent works, including "On the Come Up" (2019) and "Concrete Rose" (2021). Her writing draws from her experiences growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, where she witnessed gun violence at an early age and lived near the former home of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.
Before becoming a novelist, Thomas pursued rapping and initially planned to write fantasy and middle-grade fiction. Her works have earned multiple awards and accolades, including the William C. Morris Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Thomas's authentic dialogue, complex characters, and ability to tackle difficult social issues while maintaining engaging narratives. Many note her books help teens and parents discuss racism and activism. On Goodreads, readers frequently mention connecting emotionally with the characters and appreciating how the stories balance serious themes with moments of humor and joy.
Common criticisms include pacing issues in the middle sections of her books and some readers finding the dialogue too informal. A minority of reviews mention the books feeling "preachy" or "agenda-driven."
Ratings across platforms:
The Hate U Give
- Goodreads: 4.5/5 (1M+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.8/5 (23K+ reviews)
On the Come Up
- Goodreads: 4.3/5 (90K+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.7/5 (3K+ reviews)
Concrete Rose
- Goodreads: 4.4/5 (40K+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.8/5 (2K+ reviews)
One reader noted: "Thomas writes teenagers who feel real - they make mistakes, they're sometimes uncertain, but they also have strong voices and convictions."
📚 Books by Angie Thomas
The Hate U Give (2017)
A 16-year-old girl navigates between her poor neighborhood and prestigious prep school while dealing with the aftermath of witnessing her childhood friend's fatal shooting by a police officer.
On the Come Up (2019) The story follows 16-year-old Bri, who pursues her dream of becoming a rapper while confronting poverty, prejudice, and her family's legacy in Garden Heights.
Concrete Rose (2021) Set 17 years before The Hate U Give, this prequel follows Maverick Carter as he navigates teenage fatherhood, gang life, and difficult choices in Garden Heights.
Find Your Voice: A Guided Journal for Writing Your Truth (2020) A writing journal containing prompts and exercises designed to help young writers develop their storytelling skills and personal voice.
On the Come Up (2019) The story follows 16-year-old Bri, who pursues her dream of becoming a rapper while confronting poverty, prejudice, and her family's legacy in Garden Heights.
Concrete Rose (2021) Set 17 years before The Hate U Give, this prequel follows Maverick Carter as he navigates teenage fatherhood, gang life, and difficult choices in Garden Heights.
Find Your Voice: A Guided Journal for Writing Your Truth (2020) A writing journal containing prompts and exercises designed to help young writers develop their storytelling skills and personal voice.
👥 Similar authors
Jason Reynolds writes young adult novels addressing urban life, racial tensions, and youth experiences through authentic voices and contemporary settings. His books like "Long Way Down" and "All American Boys" tackle similar themes of violence, justice, and coming-of-age that Thomas explores.
Nic Stone creates stories centered on Black teenagers navigating social issues and personal identity in the American South. Her works "Dear Martin" and "Dear Justyce" deal with racial profiling, systemic inequality, and youth activism.
Tomi Adeyemi combines social commentary with fantasy elements to address themes of oppression and resistance through the lens of West African mythology. Her Legacy of Orisha series demonstrates the same commitment to exploring justice and power dynamics found in Thomas's work.
Elizabeth Acevedo writes novels-in-verse about young people finding their voice amid cultural and social pressures. Her books "The Poet X" and "With the Fire on High" focus on urban youth experiences and self-discovery through first-person narratives.
Ibi Zoboi crafts stories about Black teenage protagonists dealing with gentrification, cultural identity, and social inequality in urban settings. Her novels "American Street" and "Pride" examine similar themes of community and resistance that appear in Thomas's work.
Nic Stone creates stories centered on Black teenagers navigating social issues and personal identity in the American South. Her works "Dear Martin" and "Dear Justyce" deal with racial profiling, systemic inequality, and youth activism.
Tomi Adeyemi combines social commentary with fantasy elements to address themes of oppression and resistance through the lens of West African mythology. Her Legacy of Orisha series demonstrates the same commitment to exploring justice and power dynamics found in Thomas's work.
Elizabeth Acevedo writes novels-in-verse about young people finding their voice amid cultural and social pressures. Her books "The Poet X" and "With the Fire on High" focus on urban youth experiences and self-discovery through first-person narratives.
Ibi Zoboi crafts stories about Black teenage protagonists dealing with gentrification, cultural identity, and social inequality in urban settings. Her novels "American Street" and "Pride" examine similar themes of community and resistance that appear in Thomas's work.