Angie Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Angie Thomas
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Thomas in 2019
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| Born | September 20, 1988 Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | English |
| Education | Belhaven University (BFA) |
| Genre | Young Adult Fiction, Middle Grade |
| Notable works | The Hate U Give (2017) On the Come Up (2019) |
Angie Thomas is an American author who writes popular books for young adults. She is most famous for her novel The Hate U Give, which came out in 2017. Her second young adult book, On the Come Up, was released in 2019.
Contents
Angie Thomas's Early Life
Angie Thomas was born on September 20, 1988. She grew up in Jackson, Mississippi.
When she was young, Angie saw some difficult things. She lived near the home of Medgar Evers, a civil rights leader who was killed. Her mother told her she heard the gunshot. When Angie was six, she saw a shootout.
The next day, her mother took her to the library. Her mom wanted to show her that "there was more to the world" than what she had seen. This experience inspired Angie to start writing.
As a teenager, Angie was a rapper for a short time. She even had an article about her in Right On! magazine. Later, she went to Belhaven University and earned a degree in fine arts. She was the first Black teenager to graduate from her creative writing program.
Angie Thomas's Writing Career
Angie Thomas first wanted to write fantasy books. But she worried her stories might not be important enough. While trying to get her first book published, she started writing another. This second story became her famous novel, The Hate U Give.
When she was in college, a professor told her that her experiences were special. They said her writing could help people whose stories had not been heard. Around this time, Angie also learned about the shooting of Oscar Grant. This event, along with the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, and Sandra Bland, greatly influenced her novel.
Angie Thomas says the rapper Tupac Shakur inspired her writing. She felt many emotions listening to his music. She wanted her own writing to have a similar effect. She said, "I want to make you think at times; I want to make you laugh at times; I want to make you cry at times." She believes that what society teaches young people can affect everyone.
Angie wants her writing to "show truth and tear down stereotypes." She also believes it is important for everyone to listen to the concerns of the Black Lives Matter movement. After The Hate U Give was published, it was made into a movie in 2018. The film starred Amandla Stenberg.
Writing as a Form of Activism
Angie Thomas sees her writing as a way to make a difference. She believes books can help us understand lives different from our own. This can help people feel more empathy. She respects the Black Lives Matter movement and organization.
She wanted The Hate U Give to feel personal, even though it deals with big issues. She wanted the character Khalil to represent young men who are unfairly judged. She also wanted to tell a unique story.
Angie Thomas's Novels
The Hate U Give (2017)
The Hate U Give started as a short story. It quickly became the number one book on the New York Times Best Seller list for young adult books in 2017. Angie wrote this book to shine a light on police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement.
The story follows a teenage girl named Starr Carter. Her life changes after her friend, Khalil, an unarmed Black teen, is shot by a white police officer. The book shows how police brutality affects the communities around the victim.
In 2018, some schools tried to remove the book from their libraries. They complained about the language used. A police union also asked for the book to be removed from a summer reading list. They felt it created distrust of the police.
On the Come Up (2019)
On the Come Up was released in February 2019. Angie wrote this book to talk about the challenges faced by minorities and women when they speak up. The story is about a teen rapper who becomes very famous online. The book explores how this fame changes who she is. This novel takes place in the same made-up world as The Hate U Give.
On the Come Up also became 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 story that happens before The Hate U Give. It was released in January 2021. This book tells the story of Starr's father, Maverick Carter, when he was younger.
This book was also a New York Times and IndieBound bestseller. Kirkus Reviews named it one of the best young adult novels of 2021.
Blackout (2021)
Angie Thomas co-wrote a young adult novel called Blackout. It came out in June 2021. She wrote it with five other authors: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. The book has six connected stories about Black teen love during a power outage in New York City.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables (2023)
She also wrote a middle school novel called Nic Blake and the Remarkables.
Awards and Honors
Angie Thomas has received many awards for her writing.
In 2015, she won the Walter Grant from We Need Diverse Books. This award helps new authors from diverse backgrounds who write children's or young adult books.
The Junior Library Guild has chosen The Hate U Give, On the Come Up, and Concrete Rose for their collections.
The Hate U Give was a number one New York Times bestseller. Many groups, including The Horn Book Magazine and Kirkus Reviews, named it one of the best young adult novels of 2017. Booklist called it one of the best books of the year.
On the Come Up was also a New York Times bestseller. The Horn Book Magazine and Kirkus Reviews named it one of the best young adult novels of 2019.
Concrete Rose was a New York Times and IndieBound bestseller. Kirkus Reviews named it one of the best young adult novels of 2021.
Some of her other awards include:
- Winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for The Hate U Give (2017)
- Winner of the Goodreads Choice Awards for Young Adult Fiction for The Hate U Give (2017)
- Winner of the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for The Hate U Give (2018)
- Winner of the Audie Award for Young Adult for The Hate U Give (2018)
- Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult for The Hate U Give (2018)
- Winner of the William C. Morris Award for The Hate U Give (2018)
- Winner of the Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production for The Hate U Give (2018)
See also
In Spanish: Angie Thomas para niños
