No. 1 New York Times bestseller
"A powerful and important novel.” Observer
"No one else who writes like Angie. Phenomenal.” The Guardian
From international phenomenon Angie Thomas comes a hard-hitting return to Garden Heights with the story of Maverick Carter, Starr’s father, set seventeen years before the events of the award-winning The Hate U Give.
With his King Lord dad in prison and his mom working two jobs, seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter helps the only way he knows how: slinging drugs. Life's not perfect, but he's got everything under control. Until he finds out he's a father...
Suddenly it's not so easy to deal drugs and finish school with a baby dependent on him for everything. So when he's offered the chance to go straight, he takes it. But when King Lord blood runs through your veins, you don't get to just walk away.
PRAISE FOR CONCRETE ROSE
“Thomas smashes stereotypes at every turn in the lives of her raw, complex and unforgettable characters, her writing underpinned by immense humanity. A powerful and important novel.” The Observer
“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
"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
Creators
Angie Thomas is the author of three hugely critically acclaimed and bestselling novels: The Hate U Give, On the Come Up and Concrete Rose. Her debut novel, The Hate U Give, was adapted into an award-winning major motion picture by Fox 2000 and Temple Hill Entertainment and stars Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games). Angie was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. A former teen rapper, she is the recipient of a Walter Dean Myers Grant, awarded by the We Need Diverse Books campaign. You can find her on Twitter: @acthomasbooks or visit her website, angiethomas.com.
Reviews
If you loved T.H.U.G., you will absolutely want to read this book. I wanted to hide away from the world and devour it all in one sitting.
BookBookOwl
This book is honestly heart touching and one that you need to read, whether you expect to or not.
Blue Fairy Tales
What I did not expect was the sadness and hope that I felt for Maverick….Five stars for a thought provoking, view shaking and heart stopping YA read.
sam_the_fangirl_ - Instagram
Concrete Rose, is powerful, gritty and raw. It tugs at your heart and provokes questions about your own life. … From start to finish, Concrete Rose is a powerful book with a powerful message. It shows you the strength of humanity, the power of perseverance and the gift that is children. This isn’t sn easy book to read, but it is an important one. The language and speedy pace, keeps pages turning until you are lost in Maverick’s world, fighting along side him for a better life.
Bookish.Intoxication
Equal parts heartbreaking and empowering; it’s the perfect excuse to revisit The Hate U Give, but also stands tall as an excellent novel in its own right.
Readings
