96 pages 3 hours read

Angie Thomas

Concrete Rose

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2021

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas is a prequel to The Hate U Give, following 17-year-old Maverick "Mav" Carter of Garden Heights as he navigates fatherhood, gang life, and poverty after discovering he has a baby son. Mav works towards leaving the dangerous lifestyle and securing a future for his family while contemplating leaving the King Lords gang. Gang violence and drug dealing are depicted.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas is widely praised for its authentic portrayal of Maverick Carter's coming-of-age story in a gritty, heartfelt narrative. Reviewers appreciate its raw language and emotional depth, though some note that its pace can be uneven. The novel's strong thematic focus on responsibility and family resonates deeply, despite minor plot predictability.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Concrete Rose?

Readers who would enjoy Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas are typically young adults who appreciate contemporary, realistic fiction exploring themes of identity, family, and personal growth. Comparable to fans of The Hate U Give and Long Way Down, they value stories with powerful social messages and relatable, diverse characters.

Recommended

Reading Age

15-18years

Lexile Level

HL500L

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Realistic Fiction

Topics

Race / Racism

Social Justice

Addiction / Substance Abuse

Themes

Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Identity: Race

Society: Immigration