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Lit Squad: Angie Thomas, author of 'The Hate U Give,' explores fantasy fiction in her new book

School is out for the summer, but many students are working through their summer reading lists.

Over the past year, The Show has heard from authors of books for middle-grade and young adult readers dealing with issues of race, gender, disability and socioeconomic differences, among other things. It’s a series called Lit Squad — and to kick off a new season, The Show spoke with author Angie Thomas.

Listen to the Lit Squad podcast

Her New York Times bestselling debut novel, published in 2017, "The Hate U Give," was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2018 it was made into a movie.

It was also listed as one of the most banned books in the country last year. Thomas' latest novel is called "Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophesy." It’s her first foray into writing fantasy fiction, and her first time writing for a middle-grade audience.

More Lit Squad stories

Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.