(L-r): Megan Lawless, Amandla Stenberg, and Sabrina Carpenter in Twentieth Century Fox’s The Hate U Give. Photo Credit: Erika Doss. Courtesy of Fox (c)

The Hate U Give tackles serious issues about race with heart and honesty through the experiences of a black teen girl from a poor neighborhood trying to fit in at a mostly-white private high school, a balancing act upended when she witnesses the killing of a black friend by a white cop.

This is a powerful, engaging drama that everyone should see, for its effective balanced handling of some of society’s most difficult topics in our present society, as well as it’s moving story and wonderful performances, particularly by young Amandla Stenberg. It is particularly essential viewing for white audiences, for the insights and perspectives it offers.

Based on Angie Thomas’ young-adult novel, The Hate U Give rises far above other movies based on young-adult novels.