The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Starr and her childhood friend Khalil were on their way home from a party when they were pulled over by a policeman. During that traffic stop Khalil who is black was shot and killed by the officer who is white because he wrongly believed he had a weapon. Khalil's murder has galvanized a community and Starr has to determine what she is really made of.
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
Shirin is a 16 year old Muslim girl who has moved to a new town with her family a year after 9/11. She wears a hijab, loves to break dance and is only one of a few non-white students at her high school. She endures racist remarks and even physical violence at the hands of her fellow classmates. As a result, it is hard for her to make friends or trust people until she meets Ocean. He is the only person who seems to want to take an opportunity to really get know Shirin for who she is.
Liesel has lost everything, her brother, her family, her home. It's World War II in Germany the only thing she has are the books she began stealing and voraciously reading. Until her foster parents hide Max who is Jewish in their basement, then she has him too. Death narrates this book, during this time in history it has a lot to say.
Listen below to the authors describe their books.
