Young Adult Literature – Concrete Rose

 Young Adult Literature – Concrete Rose

Bibliography

Thomas, Angie. 2021. CONCRETE ROSE. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publisher. ISBN 978-0-06-284671-6

Plot Summary

Concrete Rose, the prequel to Angie Thomas’s hit book, The Hate U Give, is a moving coming of age story that focuses on a young Maverick Carter in the aftermath of finding out that he has a baby son. Suddenly he has a baby, Seven, who depends on him for everything. But it’s not so easy to sling dope, finish school, and raise a child. So, when he’s offered the chance to go straight, he takes it. In a world where he’s expected to amount to nothing, maybe Mav can prove he’s different.

Maverick Carter is a young man who must take care of his family because his dad is in prison. Unfortunately, this means following in his father’s crimes of selling drugs for the King Lords. But, when Maverick’s girlfriend gets pregnant, and he finds out he already has another baby, he has to decide, to keep selling drugs, or go on the straight and narrow.

When King Lord blood runs through your veins, though, you can’t just walk away. Loyalty, revenge, and responsibility threaten to tear Mav apart, especially after the brutal murder of a loved one. He’ll have to figure out for himself what it really means to be a man.

Critical Analysis 

Messages of struggles with loyalty, revenge, and responsibility are key elements to this page turning tale. Thomas tells the story of Maverick Carter, the father of her main character, Starr, in The Hate You Give. Thomas goes back in time, telling the story of the teenage father that so many were intrigued by. Questions are answered about Mav’s past that satisfy the reader of Thomas’ sequel. 

The pacing for this novel is rather fast but it does not feel rushed. It balances well with the story. I do not think there is even a slow or uninteresting scene in this novel because something is always happening to propel the plot forward. I remember reading through this book because of how well-paced and well-constructed the story is and because of that, I finished this book in 3 days. Therefore, I absolutely adored the pacing because of how consistent it is.

Thomas takes risks in thrusting Maverick into loss after loss and showing how his confining situation leads him to make choices that go against his character. Maverick contemplates the choices that young men are forced into in order to survive and provide in the poverty ridden neighborhood he lives in. 

Whereas The Hate U Give dealt with police brutality and had Maverick’s history with the gang on the side, this book deals with the difficulty Maverick faces as a young father whose own father is in prison. Maverick struggles to make ends meet, to go to school when his son keeps him up all night, and with grief after his cousin is killed in a robbery.

Awards/ Reviews

2022      Michael L. Printz Award Honor

2021      Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction Nominee

“A heartfelt exploration of Black manhood and the power of possibility.” — People

“In Concrete Rose, Thomas casts a loving eye on the lives and realities of Black people, which is a powerful continuation of one of her most moving endeavors as a writer: her challenge to readers to affirm the goodness of all types of characters and to greet them with compassion at every turn, no matter where those turns may lead.”? — New York Times Book Review

“Thomas brings her trademark wit, nostalgic love of the 1990s and all things R&B and hip-hop, and her penchant for heartfelt characterization to this first-person exploration of Maverick Carter’s coming-of-age.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Authentic to the point of heartbreak, Maverick’s voice is earnest as he wrestles with his decisions. Fans of Thomas’s work will not be disappointed in this intense portrayal of this phase in the Carter family’s story." — Horn Book (starred review)

“This is the perfect example of a narrative that straddles the beauty and pain of belonging and having the courage to make your own choices…. Thomas writes with a depth of humor and clarity that really allows readers to bond with the characters.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“This literary DeLorean transports readers into the past, where they hope, dream, and struggle alongside beloved characters from Thomas’ The Hate U Give…. Thomas proves Game of Thrones–esque in her worldbuilding ability, deepening her landscape without sacrificing intimacy or heart.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Thomas delivers a poignant prequel to The Hate U Give…. Maverick's story is one that offers hope, encouragement, and optimism." — Booklist (starred review)

"Thomas’ genius is her ability to craft one man’s history in a way that illuminates the forces that brought us to this critical juncture." — Time

Connections

Students interested in this book may like Angie Thomas’ other books (newest addition information):

·        Thomas, Angie. 2022. THE HATE YOU GIVE. New York, NY. HarperCollins Publishers.
              ISBN 978-0-06-249854-0

·        Thomas, Angie. 2020. ON THE COME UP. New York, NY. HarperCollins Publishers.
              ISBN 978-0-06-249858-8

·        Shakur, Tupac. 2009. THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE. MTV Books.
              ISBN 988-0-67-102845-9