Angie Thomas Popular Books

Angie Thomas Biography & Facts

Angie Thomas (born September 20, 1988) is an American young adult author, best known for writing The Hate U Give (2017). Her second young adult novel, On the Come Up, was released on February 25, 2019. Early life Angie Thomas was born on September 20, 1988, in Jackson, Mississippi where she was raised.Thomas was subjected to multiple instances of gun violence at a young age. She grew up near the home of assassinated civil rights activist Medgar Evers, stating that her mother heard the gunshot that killed him. When she was six years old, Thomas witnessed a shootout. In an interview with The Guardian, she recounted how her mother took her to the library the following day to show her that "there was more to the world than what [Thomas] saw that day". This inspired her to take up writing.In her adolescence, Thomas shared her skills as a rapper, although her career in music was short-lived. She was, however, the subject of an article in Right On! magazine. Thomas went on to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Belhaven University. She was the first black teenager to graduate from her creative writing course. Career Thomas' initial intention was to write fantasy and middle grade novels; however, she was worried that her stories would not matter. While querying her first manuscript, she began another that would soon turn out to be her first novel, The Hate U Give. While she was a college student, one of her professors suggested that her experiences were unique and that her writing could give a voice to those who had been silenced and whose stories had not been told. During this time, Thomas also heard about the shooting of Oscar Grant on the news. This story, compounded by the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, and Sandra Bland, was a major influence on the novel.Thomas cites Tupac Shakur as inspiration for her writing. She has felt a wide range of emotions when listening to his music, and wanted to achieve a similar effect as a writer, saying, "I want to make you think at times; I want to make you laugh at times; I want to make you cry at times – so he was an influence in that way." Thomas understands that to mean, "that what society feeds into youth has a way of coming back and affecting us all."In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Thomas stated that she aims to "show truth and tear down stereotypes" in her writing, and further says that it is important for the white community to listen to the grievances of the Black Lives Matter movement. After its publication, The Hate U Give was adapted into a 2018 film of the same name by Fox 2000, starring Amandla Stenberg. Activism In an interview with Publishers Weekly, Thomas gives insight on her role as an activist: "I've always seen writing as a form of activism. If nothing else, books give us a glimpse into lives that we may not have known about before; they can promote empathy. There is the movement Black Lives Matter and the organization Black Lives Matter, and I respect what both are doing. I know [The Hate U Give] is an 'issue' book, but I didn't necessarily want it to be that way... I wanted to make something that is so political seem personal. While I wanted Khalil to represent these young men who lose their lives and are quickly labeled thugs, I wanted [the plot of the book] to be its own thing. I didn't want to disrespect anyone's family, anyone's memory." Novels The Hate U Give (2017) The Hate U Give, originally written as a short story, debuted at number one on the New York Times Best Seller list for young adult hardcover books within the first week of its release in 2017. The Hate U Give was written, as Thomas says, to bring light to the controversial issue of police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. The book's plot follows a teenage girl, Starr Carter, and how her life is impacted by the death of her friend, Khalil, an unarmed black teen shot by a white police officer. The Hate U Give deals with the effect of police brutality on the communities of those around the victim. In 2018, the Katy Independent School District in Katy, Texas, removed the book from its shelves after complaints over profanity, and a South Carolina police union requested the book's removal from a school's summer reading list, because of what the union considered "almost an indoctrination of distrust of police." On the Come Up (2019) On the Come Up was released in February 2019. Thomas wrote the book so she could discuss the costs tolled on minorities and women when they do speak-up. The book tells the story of a teen rapper who becomes a viral sensation and the way that this distorts and changes who she is. It takes place in the same fictional universe as The Hate U Give. On the Come Up was a New York Times bestseller. Kirkus Reviews named it one of the best young adult novels of 2019. Concrete Rose (2021) Concrete Rose is a prequel to The Hate U Give and was released on January 12, 2021, in the US and the UK. The book tells the story of Starr's father Maverick Carter.The book was a New York Times and IndieBound bestseller. Kirkus Reviews named it one of the best young adult novels of 2021. Blackout (2021) Thomas wrote a young adult novel Blackout, released in June 2021, which she co-authored with Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. The book follows six interlinked stories about Black teen love during a power outage in New York City. Nic Blake and the Remarkables (2023) She wrote the middle school novel, Nic Blake and the Remarkables. Selected awards and honors In 2015, Thomas received We Need Diverse Books' Walter Grant, which grants $2,000 to "unpublished authors or illustrators from diverse backgrounds working on children’s or young adult literature projects"The Junior Library Guild has selected the book and audiobook editions of The Hate U Give, On the Come Up, and Concrete Rose for their collection. The Hate U Give was a number one New York Times bestseller and IndieBound besteller. The Horn Book Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and Shelf Awareness, among others, named it one of the best young adult novels of 2017. Booklist named it one of the best books of the year regardless of genre.On the Come Up was a New York Times bestseller. The Horn Book Magazine and Kirkus Reviews named it one of the best young adult novels of 2019. Booklist included it on their 2019 "Top 10 Arts Books for Youth" list.Concrete Rose was a New York Times and IndieBound bestseller. Kirkus Reviews named it one of the best young adult novels of 2021. Further reading Interview in You Can’t Say That! Writers for Young People Talk About Censorship, Free Expression, and the Stories They Have to Tell. Candlewick Press, 2021, a young adult non-fiction book about book censorship, edited by young adult author and literary critic Leonard S. Marcus. ISBN 9780763690366References External links. Discover the Angie Thomas popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Angie Thomas books.

Best Seller Angie Thomas Books of 2024

  • Genesis Begins Again synopsis, comments

    Genesis Begins Again

    Alicia D. Williams

    “Reminiscent of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye.” The New York Times“One of the best books I have ever read…will live in the hearts of readers for the rest of their lives.” Colby Sh...

  • The Cost of Knowing synopsis, comments

    The Cost of Knowing

    Brittney Morris

    Four starred reviews!Dear Martin meets They Both Die at the End in this gripping, evocative novel about a Black teen who has the power to see into the future, whose life turns upsi...

  • Theo synopsis, comments

    Theo

    Paul Torday

    From the bestselling author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, a haunting novella that introduced one of the most memorable characters from Torday's novel Light Shining in the Forest....

  • Liccle Bit synopsis, comments

    Liccle Bit

    Alex Wheatle

    What's worse than hiding a secret? Liccle Bit's about to find out...Venetia King is the hottest girl at school. Too bad Lemar is the second shortest guy in his year. Everyone calls...

  • So viel Zorn und so viel Liebe synopsis, comments

    So viel Zorn und so viel Liebe

    Sabaa Tahir

    Ein atemberaubender Roman über junge Liebe, späte Reue und Vergebung Ausgezeichnet mit dem Printz Award und dem National Book Award for Young People's LiteratureSalahudin und Noor ...

  • Crongton Knights synopsis, comments

    Crongton Knights

    Alex Wheatle

    Winner of the Guardian Children Fiction's Prize 2016Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2017Living on the South Crongton council estate has its worries and life for McKay has been e...

  • Gangsta Rap synopsis, comments

    Gangsta Rap

    Benjamin Zephaniah

    'A fairytale of hiphop success ... teens will enjoy the thrilling music fantasy, while many will identify with the smart, talented boys who grow up quickly and rescue themselve...

  • Face synopsis, comments

    Face

    Benjamin Zephaniah

    'A brilliant first novel' Guardian In the moving and compelling debut novel from Benjamin Zephaniah, a young man's life is completely changed when his face is badly sc...

  • The Getaway synopsis, comments

    The Getaway

    Lamar Giles

    “Timely, thrilling, and gripping from start to finish. An absolute pageturner.” Karen M. McManus, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is LyingJay is living his best l...

  • Badfellas synopsis, comments

    Badfellas

    Paul H. Williams

    Badfellas is the definitive account by Ireland's most respected crime writer and journalist, Paul Williams, of how organized crime evolved in Ireland over the past four decades.Dra...

  • Hope Nation synopsis, comments

    Hope Nation

    Rose Brock, Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds, Nicola Yoon & Marie Lu

    ★ "This amazing outpouring of strength and honesty offers inspirational personal accounts for every reader who wonders what to do when everything seems impossible." Booklist, ...

  • And the Stars Were Burning Brightly synopsis, comments

    And the Stars Were Burning Brightly

    Danielle Jawando

    An extraordinary novel about loss, understanding and the importance of speaking up when all you want to do is shut down. From a multiawardwinning author, perfect for fans of Angie ...

  • Chelsea High synopsis, comments

    Chelsea High

    Jenny Oliver

    For all fans of Jenny Han, Holly Bourne and The Kissing Booth comes the musthave teen read from bestselling fiction author, Jenny Oliver! Norah Whittaker has grown up on a houseboa...

  • Believe In the World synopsis, comments

    Believe In the World

    Amy Gash, Elise Howard & R.J. Palacio

    An inspiring and delightful illustrated collection of quotations from a diverse range of our most beloved children's books that will help teach all of us how to live in the world t...

  • Hurricane Summer synopsis, comments

    Hurricane Summer

    Asha Ashanti Bromfield

    "This is an excellent examination of the ways wealth, gender, and color can shape and at times create mental and emotional fractures. Verdict: A great title for public and high sch...

  • Muted synopsis, comments

    Muted

    Tami Charles

    A rippedfromtheheadlines novel of ambition, music, and innocence lost, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Jason Reynolds!Be bold. Get seen. Be Heard.For seventeenyearold Den...

  • If My Words Had Wings synopsis, comments

    If My Words Had Wings

    Danielle Jawando

    A life affirming story of rehabilitation and hope after prison. The third novel from multiawardwinning Danielle Jawando, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Elizabeth Acevedo. &#x...

  • Extended Summary - The Hate U Give - Based On The Book By Angie Thomas synopsis, comments

    Extended Summary - The Hate U Give - Based On The Book By Angie Thomas

    Mentors Library

    EXTENDED SUMMARY: THE HATE U GIVE – BASED ON THE BOOK BY ANGIE THOMAS Are you ready to boost your knowledge about "THE HATE U GIVE"? Do you want to quickly and concisely ...

  • When Our Worlds Collided synopsis, comments

    When Our Worlds Collided

    Danielle Jawando

    WINNER OF THE YA BOOK PRIZE AND THE JHALAK CHILDREN'S AND YA PRIZE 2023. A powerful comingofage story about chance encounters, injustice and how the choices that we make can c...

  • Let Love Have the Last Word synopsis, comments

    Let Love Have the Last Word

    Common

    “An insightful memoir that uncovers unique stories about matters of the heart.” EssenceThe inspiring New York Times bestseller from Commonthe Grammy Award, Academy Award, and Golde...

  • The Hounding of David Oluwale synopsis, comments

    The Hounding of David Oluwale

    Kester Aspden

    'David Oluwale's story has a raw power...and Kester Aspden makes it relevant for the reader of today' Mishal HusainAn awardwinning microhistory that examines the death of David Olu...

  • Und zwischen uns ein Ozean aus Schweigen synopsis, comments

    Und zwischen uns ein Ozean aus Schweigen

    Joanna Ho

    »Es gibt ein Schweigen, das uns fesselt. Es lähmt unsere Zungen, wenn wir Hilfe brauchen.«Maybelline Chen ist ein typisch amerikanischer Teenager mit chinesischtaiwanesischen Wurze...

  • Seit du gegangen bist synopsis, comments

    Seit du gegangen bist

    Jacqueline Woodson

    Eine zutiefst bewegende Geschichte über Liebe und Verlust der National Book AwardPreisträgerinMiah und Ellie waren ein Liebespaar. Zusammen ergaben sie ein Ganzes. Doch Miah war Sc...

  • The Rock and the River synopsis, comments

    The Rock and the River

    Kekla Magoon

    Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award winnerIn this “taut, eloquent first novel” (Booklist, starred review), a young Black boy wrestles with conflicting notions of revolution and ...

  • SLAY synopsis, comments

    SLAY

    Brittney Morris

    A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019! “Gripping and timely.” People “The YA debut we’re most excited for this year.” Entertainment Weekly “A book that knocks you off your feet whi...

  • Mid-Air synopsis, comments

    Mid-Air

    Alicia D. Williams

    A tendersouled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning middle grade novel in vers...

  • Angie Thomas 2-Book Collection synopsis, comments

    Angie Thomas 2-Book Collection

    Angie Thomas

    Discover the critically acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling The Hate U Give and the highly anticipated On the Come Up from Angie Thomas in this twobook collection.FIND YOUR VO...

  • Warrior Girl Unearthed synopsis, comments

    Warrior Girl Unearthed

    Angeline Boulley

    »Ich würde alles tun, um unsere Vorfahren nach Hause zu holen.«Perry FirekeeperBirch weiß ganz genau, wer sie ist: der entspanntere Zwilling, die Unruhestifterin, die beste Angleri...

  • All the Water in the World synopsis, comments

    All the Water in the World

    Karen Raney

    A stunning debut novel about a teenage girl and her mother as they grapple with first love, family secrets, and tragedy.Maddy is sixteen. Smart, funny, and profound, she has loyal ...

  • Als die Stadt in Flammen stand synopsis, comments

    Als die Stadt in Flammen stand

    Kimberly Jones & Gilly Segal

    Ein schwarzes und ein weißes Mädchen. Eine Stadt in Flammen. Nur gemeinsam können sie überleben.Lena hat Stil, einen coolen Freund und einen Plan. Campbell dagegen will einfach nur...

  • A Universe of Wishes synopsis, comments

    A Universe of Wishes

    Dhonielle Clayton

    From the organization We Need Diverse Books and Dhonielle Clayton, the coauthor of Blackout, comes a fantasy collection of short stories from a list of diverse, awar...

  • Two Eerie Tales of Suspense synopsis, comments

    Two Eerie Tales of Suspense

    Paul Torday

    Two creepy, spinetingling tales from the masterful storyteller and author of R&J book club selected SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMENIn BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL DÉJÀ VU, Bobby Clarke a...

  • Other Side of the Tracks synopsis, comments

    Other Side of the Tracks

    Charity Alyse

    This “stirring…emotionally raw” (Publishers Weekly) young adult debut novel about three teens entangled by secret love, open hatred, and the invisible societal constraints wrapped ...