Angie Thomas is an American author best known for her critically acclaimed young adult novel "The Hate U Give". She was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Belhaven University. Before becoming a full-time writer, Thomas worked as a teen rapper and a community activist. Her debut novel, "The Hate U Give", was published in 2017 and quickly became a New York Times bestseller. The novel has won numerous awards, including the William C. Morris Award and the Coretta Scott King Book Award. Thomas's second novel, "On the Come Up", was published in 2019 and also received critical acclaim. She is known for tackling complex issues of race, identity, and social justice in her writing and is a powerful voice for young people.