Concrete Rose

Concrete Rose is a searing and poignant prequel to Angie Thomas's acclaimed novel, The Hate U Give, exploring the formative years of Starr Carter's father, Maverick. Set seventeen years earlier, the story follows 17-year-old Mav as he deals for the King Lords to support his family, while his own father is in prison. His life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers he's a father himself. The novel delves into the immense challenges he faces trying to balance school, fatherhood, and leaving his gang past behind, especially after a loved one's murder. It's a deep dive into Black boyhood and manhood, loyalty, responsibility, and the struggle to break free from cycles of violence and poverty. Ideal for mature young adult readers aged 12-18, it offers a powerful lens into systemic issues and personal growth.

International phenomenon Angie Thomas revisits Garden Heights seventeen years before the events of The Hate U Give in this searing and poignant exploration of Black boyhood and manhood. If there's one thing seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter knows, it's that a real man takes care of his family. As the son of a former gang legend, Mav does that the only way he knows how: dealing for the King Lords. With this money he can help his mom, who works two jobs while his dad's in prison. Life's not perfect, but with a fly girlfriend and a cousin who always has his back, Mav's got everything under control. Until, that is, Maverick finds out he's a father. 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. 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.