Concrete Rose

“The Concrete Rose” is a 360-page realistic fiction novel that was written by Angie Thomas, the writer of the well-known book “The Hate U Give”The Concrete Rose is about the backstory of Maverick Carter, the father of the main character in “The Hate U Give.” It's the 1990’s and Maverick is a 17-year-old boy who lives in a heavily gang-occupied area and was pretty much born into the gang since his father was the leader of the King Lords. He is a part of the gang but doesn't sell any major drugs because Shawn, the current leader, doesn't think he's ready for it. Overall he is a good kid that goes to school, takes care of his family, and plays basketball in his free time. All is well until he finds out he has a 3-month-old son named Seven that he is now responsible for. Everything comes piling down at once. He has to manage a job, school, and most importantly take care of his son. Maverick learns what it really means to be a father, and looks back at his relationship with his own, who is currently doing time in prison. Throughout the story, he questions his affiliation with the King Lords and explores the idea of a different life for him and his family, which causes tension within the gang. Maverick, the main character, is developed very well however I would have liked for the author to also develop the side characters a little bit better, considering they are a major part of Mavericks' growth. Aside from that Thomas is able to show how Maverick matures over the novel, and essentially becomes an adult. By creating little setbacks and moments where Maverick returns to his old habits, makes the journey more realistic and relatable to other readers. There are also multiple plot twists and conflicts that keep the reader at the edge of their seat. However, Maverick's reaction to the main conflict shows that he has matured and utilized the advice from his family and friends. Thomas shows how Maverick can turn into an amazing person, despite living and growing up in harsh conditions. The title, “Concrete Rose” references one of tupacs poems that talks about a rose growing from a crack in the pavement, and how it has defied nature's laws. In this novel, Maverick is the rose, and the concrete is the gang that he is born into.I would really recommend this book to anyone who has read “The Hate U Give” or likes reading about powerful social issues. It shows what it’s like living in a dangerous environment, and how selling drugs and being a part of a gang is often not out of choice, but survival. It also covers many of the stereotypes surrounding black people and the day-to-day struggles that they have whether it involves the police, teachers, or even your peers. Even though it is not seen or addressed as a problem in the novel, there is this expectation that Maverick has to and will provide for his family, which sheds light on how men also suffer from the patriarchy. Overall I give this book a 5 because I really enjoyed how Maverick grew, as well as gaining some insight and a broader perspective on the world and different people.

Oh my gosh, I can't believe I forgot to post this one!!As always, Ms Thomas has created a wonderfully rich, realistic portrayal with characters that you just can't help feeling some kind of way for, whether it's love or hate, empathy or disgust. Her world-building is also so spot-on that you almost feel like you're right there with Maverick.I very much enjoyed this peek into Maverick and Lisa's life as they take on the roles of parenthood, especially Maverick. I'm glad Ms. Thomas was inspired to write his story. He really does his best to be a good father and a good man, despite life trying to hold him back or pigeonhole him, and despite the fact that he's still basically a kid himself. And those little moments of overwhelming love that he shows us are so precious.It was super interesting to read this book after having read The Hate U Give because you can really see how the events in Concrete Rose shaped the things to come, even though it was written after The Hate U Give. Ms. Thomas really did a great job of tying the two together, weaving in little details here and there (baby Khalil 🥺) to create that link between past and present. Having watched the movie adaptation before reading the books, I could really hear the actors' voices in my head while reading, which was fun because I think the movie was really well done.If you haven't read this or The Hate U Give, I highly recommend them both!

I read this as a 33 year old white woman who just gave birth to my first child this past January. Felt so much empathy for young Maverick, who finds out he is a dad at age 17! And meets his son at 3 months of age, same age as my son is now. I read On The Come Up as well as The Hate U Give, and loved them both. This is the prequel to The Hate U Give. It tells the story of Starr’s dad as a young man, trying to finish high school in a neighborhood where it’s safest to belong to a gang, where you can make way more money dealing than working an honest job. His mom supports them, his dad is in prison. I really really love how the characters are all complex, real people. Nothing is cut and dried. His mom is bisexual and is in a relationship with a woman; she is still married to Mavericks father and they have a complicated but honest and open relationship. The mother of Mavericks son is a teenager too who is struggling with post partum depression as well as life in the hood. Mavericks serious girlfriend breaks up with him when she finds he has a child by another woman, but he keeps trying to make it up to her and reunite. By the end of the book she is pregnant with his second child (Starr). They still are not an item but he is very involved in her pregnancy and also her future, her plans for college. He finally stops dealing so that he can live up to her expectations. He comes close to taking the life of someone who he thinks killed his cousin, but at the last moment thinks better of it and chooses to be the man who is in his kids lives, who isn’t in prison or watching over his shoulder waiting for the other shoe to drop. Great read!!!

A little slower and a bit less engaging than her first book, but this one is still a great read. Emotional and powerful.

An excellent prequel to The Hate You give. Thomas certainly put a lot of thought and effort into writing this book and bringing the characters to life.

I read this book rather quickly which should say something. I am a white woman living in suburbia, but I truly learned so much and felt a part of a totally different culture which is why I love to read.So much tragedy which goes on daily in this country but it was still in many ways a very uplifting encouraging book and gave me hope as I hope it does others. Sometimes good choices are hard to make especially when they might not be as profitable right away, and taking responsibility for one’s actions is never easy, but in the long run will produce less heartache and loss. Great book.

The media could not be loaded.  Não tinha lido The Hate u Give então foi muito maravilhoso conhecer os personagens do zero. Adoro o Maverick como protagonista e torci por ele do começo ao fim. A edição de capa dura é linda com uma jacket. A qualidade do papel eu não gostei muito mas nada que atrapalhasse a leitura. Jaja vou postar minha resenha no ig cafe.comcanudo.

Necesario, totalmente necesario, la historia de Mav es imperdible

This is probably one of my favourite book’s but then again I love all of Angie’s book. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. It did make me cry but that’s what makes a book good you feel emotions towards it. Anyways I hope you get this book and enjoy it:))

Bellissimo e tema importante

Concrete Rose had me rooting for young Maverick from the very beginning All the way to the final sentence. Thomas' engaging, sometimes even poetic prose pulls you in effortlessly. I often found myself wondering what I would do if I were in the protagonist's shoes. Readers can take away a lot from this and learn about acting responsibly, about the hardships of parenting and about making tough decisions. A very important book. Angie Thomas has done it again!