In chapter 1 of "The Hate U Give," Starr and Kenya attend a party where Starr meets Khalil, a drug dealer. She learns that Khalil's grandmother lost her job and is ill, so Khalil is forced to make money. They engage in conversation until shots are fired, prompting them to escape in a car. However, they are stopped by a police officer.
The officer asks for papers, and Khalil hesitates to comply. Starr is nervous, recalling her father's advice. The officer, identified as One-Fifteen, forces Khalil out of the car. When Khalil approaches Starr, the officer shoots and kills him.
Starr's parents pick her up, and on the way home, she vomits due to the night's nightmares. The next morning, they have breakfast, and Starr goes to the shop with Maverick. Kenya joins, and they meet King, leading to a conversation.
Starr wakes up from a nightmare and overhears a conversation between her parents and Uncle Carlos. She agrees to make a statement to the police. The Carters visit Ms. Rosalie to discuss Grenda, Khalil, and Garden Heights, where Maverick supports them financially.
Lisa takes Starr to school, and their friends discuss a Spring Break trip. Starr avoids talking to her boyfriend, Chris, and reflects on Khalil's death. After school, the kids visit the hospital and then eat with Lisa.
Starr and Lisa arrive at the police station for Starr's interrogation, where she reveals everything. The officer attempts to mislead her.
Starr, Hailey, and Maya play basketball at school, and Hailey makes a hurtful comment about the shooting and Khalil. Starr calls Uncle Carlos to pick her up, leading to a deep conversation.
Starr and her family attend Khalil's funeral, where Ms. Ofrah reveals that One-Fifteen will not be arrested. This stirs the crowd, and King Lords want to pay their respects, but are declined by Maverick. Starr is offered representation by Ms. Ofrah.
In the first chapters of "The Hate U Give," we see the portrayal of Starr's life and the events that lead to the shooting of Khalil. The narrative perspective is mainly first-person, giving us insight into Starr's experiences and emotions. The atmosphere is characterized by tension, fear, and grief, with the main conflict revolving around racial injustice and police brutality. The use of language and direct quotations effectively conveys the characters' interactions and the unfolding of the plot. The novel's themes and social commentary provide a thought-provoking commentary on current issues, and it is clear that the story will continue to delve into these complex and relevant topics.