The Hate U Give

Starr Carter, the protagonist and narrator, attends a spring break party with her childhood friend, Kenya. The party is in Garden Heights, a fictionalized neighborhood that is primarily made up of Black families with low incomes. Though born and raised in Garden Heights, Starr enrolled at Williamson Prep, a private, mostly White school, six years ago. She has not attended a Garden Heights party in a long time and feels out of place.

Kenya remained Starr’s friend in part because they share a brother named Seven. Seven’s father is Mav—who is also Starr’s father—and his mother is Iesha, Kenya's mother. Meanwhile, Kenya’s father is King, the leader of the local gang the King Lords. Mav used to be a part of the gang but left and now owns the neighborhood grocery store.

Kenya encourages Starr to mingle, alternately calling her stuck up for attending the rich White school and telling her how lucky she is to go there. Kenya is upset with a girl named Denasia, who she accuses of flirting with DeVante, a boy Kenya likes.

In the middle of the party, Starr receives a text from Chris, her White boyfriend from Williamson Prep.