Concrete Rose

Concrete Rose is a powerful coming-of-age novel that follows Maverick Carter, seventeen, in Garden Heights as he navigates fatherhood, street life, and the pull toward a better path. A standalone prequel to Angie Thomas's award-winning The Hate U Give, this contemporary YA story dives into Black boyhood, family, and resilience with warmth, humor, and unflinching honesty. It’s raw, hopeful, and courageous—perfect for teens and adults who crave authentic voices from a neighborhood at a crossroads. Thomas's writing delivers intimacy through tight, character-driven prose, vivid dialogue, and cinematic scenes that pull you right into Garden Heights. Concrete Rose unfolds with a clear, gripping rhythm, balancing humor with hard truths as Maverick negotiates a path out of crime while becoming a father. It delves into pride and the pain of being a Black boy on the brink of manhood, with warmth, humanity, and unwavering honesty. Readers will appreciate how the book is structured around Maverick's choices and relationships, moving briskly and with heart. The experience is immersive and accessible, offering a genuine sense of place, a strong sense of voice, and a story that stays with you long after the last page. Coming-of-age journey of Maverick Carter in Garden Heights Raw, compassionate exploration of Black boyhood and manhood Standalone prequel that deepens the world of The Hate U Give Lean, cinematic prose with vivid dialogue and emotional honesty Themes of family, responsibility, resilience, and community After finishing Concrete Rose, readers are left with a deeper understanding of courage and responsibility, and with a sense of hope that growth and change are possible even in difficult circumstances. It invites you to rethink what it means to become a man—and to see the strength of family and community in the process.