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Concrete Rose
(The Hate U Give #0)
by
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: dea ...more
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: dea ...more
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Hardcover, 360 pages
Published
January 12th 2021
by Balzer + Bray
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Start your review of Concrete Rose (The Hate U Give, #0)

Jan 23, 2021
Hailey (Hailey in Bookland)
added it
Angie Thomas is such a talented writer and I loved reading more about the backstory behind the parents in THUG. Maverick was a character I really loved in that book so to get a book entirely focused on him and see all he went through it, I really enjoyed it. The plot is definitely quieter than her other books, but I didn’t mind that so much really. I thought that even though there wasn’t a ton of super dramatic moments it still had enough to keep me intrigued and the characters were distinctive
...more

At this point, I am convinced that Angie Thomas can do no wrong. The way she creates characters and atmosphere is something of beauty.
I think the most special thing about her writing is just how real it is. It's not just that she depicts realistic situations and people, but that her stories feel real. Like these things are happening and you can see and feel these character's frustrations and struggles. You can so clearly understand their emotions and their situations and it's just so to read ab ...more
I think the most special thing about her writing is just how real it is. It's not just that she depicts realistic situations and people, but that her stories feel real. Like these things are happening and you can see and feel these character's frustrations and struggles. You can so clearly understand their emotions and their situations and it's just so to read ab ...more

“The apple don’t fall far from the tree, but it can roll away from it. It simply need a little push.”
Angie Thomas did it again. Wrote the perfect book. Tens across the board.
Before I get into this a disclaimer that this is a prequel to THUG so unless you’ve read the book or seen the film this includes major spoilers.
I wasn’t so keen on Maverick as a main character in general, mostly because he is this straight, manly man and I’m…not. But I soon realised that he is easily as relatable as Starr an ...more
Angie Thomas did it again. Wrote the perfect book. Tens across the board.
Before I get into this a disclaimer that this is a prequel to THUG so unless you’ve read the book or seen the film this includes major spoilers.
I wasn’t so keen on Maverick as a main character in general, mostly because he is this straight, manly man and I’m…not. But I soon realised that he is easily as relatable as Starr an ...more

Jan 12, 2021
Chelsea (chelseadolling reads)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
2021-releases,
read-in-2021
Angie Thomas is so fucking good at what she does. This book was fantastic.
TW: gang violence, gun violence, drug dealing, racism
TW: gang violence, gun violence, drug dealing, racism

Mar 30, 2020
♡ jules ♡
marked it as to-read
update: thank you netgalley gods for the arc
.....................................................................................................
angie thomas said let's give my readers what they want, so she gave us maverick's backstory. wake me up when january 2021 begins. ...more
.....................................................................................................
angie thomas said let's give my readers what they want, so she gave us maverick's backstory. wake me up when january 2021 begins. ...more

4.5 stars
This was great. I loved reading a book from Mavericks POV and learning more about their family history. Here’s a reading vlog where I read this book and explain more of my thoughts on it: https://youtu.be/p06Cutmiyco ...more
This was great. I loved reading a book from Mavericks POV and learning more about their family history. Here’s a reading vlog where I read this book and explain more of my thoughts on it: https://youtu.be/p06Cutmiyco ...more

As if there could ever be any doubt that Angie Thomas would deliver. The Hate U Give was a major hit that’s still sitting pretty on the New York Times bestseller list after ✨ 2 0 5 ✨ weeks!! On the Come Up, my favorite of hers, was technically not part of this two-book series, but shares a common setting with the others, and features some of the most memorable characters I have come across. Thomas has really become an auto-read author for me and I’m so glad her books are so widely available to t
...more

Another amazing read from Angie Thomas!
This book is a prequel to The Hate U Give and it might just be my favourite prequel I’ve read. I really loved reading through the eyes of a 17 year old Maverick and seeing how he dealt with everything he was going through. Family is also a huge theme in this book and I really enjoyed seeing Maverick’s family relationships and dynamics, and also seeing him putting his loved ones first and doing anything he could to provide for them. I also really loved all o ...more
This book is a prequel to The Hate U Give and it might just be my favourite prequel I’ve read. I really loved reading through the eyes of a 17 year old Maverick and seeing how he dealt with everything he was going through. Family is also a huge theme in this book and I really enjoyed seeing Maverick’s family relationships and dynamics, and also seeing him putting his loved ones first and doing anything he could to provide for them. I also really loved all o ...more

I wouldn't be surprised if this became New York Times bestseller like right now
...more

Preorder placed. The countdown begins!!

Earlier:
WE HAVE A TITLE. WE HAVE A COVER.
I AM SO IN LOVE.

Seriously though, really loving the title of this. Hard and soft at the same time. This is going to be moving, y'all.
Let's all put it on our TBRs!
...more

Earlier:
WE HAVE A TITLE. WE HAVE A COVER.
I AM SO IN LOVE.

Seriously though, really loving the title of this. Hard and soft at the same time. This is going to be moving, y'all.
Let's all put it on our TBRs!
...more

Mar 31, 2020
L.C. Perry
marked it as must-have
A BLACK MAN.
WITH A DURAG.
ON. A. COVERRRRRRRR.
And it's Maverick's backstory?!?!?! Angie Thomas, just take my money already.
Y'all you have no idea how important this is. Stories like this are some of the most important because of all the terrible stereotypes it's up against. The stigma around black men from the hood is staggering. They're judged so much by people who don't know a thing about what they go through. It's time we all gained more perspective because black men are not monolithic. ...more
WITH A DURAG.
ON. A. COVERRRRRRRR.
And it's Maverick's backstory?!?!?! Angie Thomas, just take my money already.
Y'all you have no idea how important this is. Stories like this are some of the most important because of all the terrible stereotypes it's up against. The stigma around black men from the hood is staggering. They're judged so much by people who don't know a thing about what they go through. It's time we all gained more perspective because black men are not monolithic. ...more

Concrete Rose is the highly anticipated prequel novel to the super-famous The Hate U Give! I am always so so curious when authors get to do sequels or prequels...flesh out their world and show us other sides to minor characters. This one is set in the '90s and is about Starr's dad as a 17-year-old. And -- OH WOW -- he was a disaster. But also I ached for Mav and all he went through and just the sheer weight of the burden left on his shoulders. He is still a kid through all of this, and he made s
...more

Angie Thomas' new book,
Concrete Rose
, is simply amazing. This is a powerful look at the life and challenges faced by a young Black man.
This prequel to The Hate U Give (but you don't need to have read that book first) takes us back to Garden Heights 17 years earlier. Maverick Carter knows his responsibility is to take care of his mom while his father, a former gang legend, is in prison. But the only way for a 17-year-old to truly help his mom is to sell drugs on the side for his gang, th ...more
This prequel to The Hate U Give (but you don't need to have read that book first) takes us back to Garden Heights 17 years earlier. Maverick Carter knows his responsibility is to take care of his mom while his father, a former gang legend, is in prison. But the only way for a 17-year-old to truly help his mom is to sell drugs on the side for his gang, th ...more

january 2021 can't come fast enough. angie thomas is back again with what i'm sure is going to be a fucking masterpiece.
...more

"Concrete Rose" may or may not have broken me a bit. "The Hate U Give" was better than this book, but this book was still amazing nonetheless. It's going to be very hard to review this book because it's perfection.
Angie Thomas has a way of writing that makes you want to not stop reading until you're done with the book. Considering this book is a prequel, I have to say that this book is just amazing.
Prequels can usually go two ways they can either be amazing or trash. "Concrete Rose" was an amaz ...more
Angie Thomas has a way of writing that makes you want to not stop reading until you're done with the book. Considering this book is a prequel, I have to say that this book is just amazing.
Prequels can usually go two ways they can either be amazing or trash. "Concrete Rose" was an amaz ...more

Jan 16, 2021
jenny✨
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
2021,
author-of-colour,
black-authors,
ya-contemporary,
need-to-read,
poc-reppin,
bisexual-rep
i fell into this today without meaning to—but once i started, i couldn't stop.
in truth, i shouldn't be surprised. big mav was one of my favourite characters when i first read The Hate U Give all those years ago, a novel that moved me and made me EXCITED and hopeful for the future of diverse publishing. i have starr, maverick, and the carters' fierce love to thank for that.
now that we get to read his story and watch him grow into himself as a seventeen-year-old father-to-be of two... it's been a ...more
in truth, i shouldn't be surprised. big mav was one of my favourite characters when i first read The Hate U Give all those years ago, a novel that moved me and made me EXCITED and hopeful for the future of diverse publishing. i have starr, maverick, and the carters' fierce love to thank for that.
now that we get to read his story and watch him grow into himself as a seventeen-year-old father-to-be of two... it's been a ...more

I really wasn't expecting there to be ARCs but daaaamn
--------------------------------------
Holy shit, Angie Thomas out here really writing a book about Starr's dad, Maverick Carter, and expects it to get banned like THUG got? WE STAN 👏👏
More about the book here ...more
--------------------------------------
Holy shit, Angie Thomas out here really writing a book about Starr's dad, Maverick Carter, and expects it to get banned like THUG got? WE STAN 👏👏
More about the book here ...more

Feb 24, 2021
Susana
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
2021-reads,
e-books,
young-adult,
contemporary,
detailed-reviews,
read-in-english,
lgbtq,
2021-releases
4 stars ⭐
This book surprised me in the best way possible. I have read all of Angie Thomas published novels as of right now, but I read The Hate U Give, the sequel to this book, 3 years ago and I don’t particularly trust my reviews and bookish opinions of that time. Not to say that you should dismiss every book I’ve reviewed more than 2 years ago, but definitely take those opinions with a pinch of salt. Regardless, I was still looking forward to Concrete Rose because the premise alone was interes ...more
This book surprised me in the best way possible. I have read all of Angie Thomas published novels as of right now, but I read The Hate U Give, the sequel to this book, 3 years ago and I don’t particularly trust my reviews and bookish opinions of that time. Not to say that you should dismiss every book I’ve reviewed more than 2 years ago, but definitely take those opinions with a pinch of salt. Regardless, I was still looking forward to Concrete Rose because the premise alone was interes ...more

Time for me to fall in love with another Angie Thomas book 🙌🏽🤩

May 24, 2020
nat
marked it as 2021-publications
I haven't read THUG yet but THIS COVER IS SO AMAZING I STAN THE BLACK EXCELLENCE
...more

This is a fantastic book with a lot of heart. Concrete Rose has a great balance of heavy, relevant topics and light hearted humor that genuinely made me ‘lol’ at times. I fell even more in love with these characters that I was already so invested in after reading The Hate U Give. Maverick and Lisa are everything and Angie did not disappoint.

Apr 09, 2020
NAT.orious reads ☾
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
white-privilige
Let's be real, folks. We're all over 2020 by now anyway, so we might as well jump straight to January 2021 when this amazing book will grace us.
...more

4 stars
Concrete Rose is a prequel to ‘The Hate You Give’ and the story of Starr’s father, Maverick Carter, when he was a teenager.
I love Angie Thomas writing and Mav’s story was so good. Seeing his str ...more
“Son, one of the biggest lies ever told is that black men don't feel emotions. Guess it's easier not to see us as human when you think we're heartless. Fact of the matter is, we feel things. Hurt, pain, sadness, all of it. We got a right to show them feelings as much as anybody else.”
Concrete Rose is a prequel to ‘The Hate You Give’ and the story of Starr’s father, Maverick Carter, when he was a teenager.
I love Angie Thomas writing and Mav’s story was so good. Seeing his str ...more

Apr 08, 2020
Nenia ✨️ I yeet my books back and forth ✨️ Campbell
marked it as wishlist
REALLY excited for this one. I wasn't a fan of ON THE COME UP, but THE HATE U GIVE is one of my all-time favorite YA books and made me feel all the feels.
If this book provides 1/10 of the feels of THUG, I will consider it a raging success. ...more
If this book provides 1/10 of the feels of THUG, I will consider it a raging success. ...more

Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Concrete Rose is the prequel to the amazing YA novel ‘The Hate You Give‘ which was released in 2017 and is predominantly about Maverick Carter who is the father of the protagonist Starr from the first book. If you haven’t read, The Hate you Give, then I’m not sure this book will mean that much to you.
Seventeen-year-old Maverick (Mav or Lil Don) lives with his mum. He has no siblings and his father who was the King Lord of the neighbourhood is in prison. ...more
Concrete Rose is the prequel to the amazing YA novel ‘The Hate You Give‘ which was released in 2017 and is predominantly about Maverick Carter who is the father of the protagonist Starr from the first book. If you haven’t read, The Hate you Give, then I’m not sure this book will mean that much to you.
Seventeen-year-old Maverick (Mav or Lil Don) lives with his mum. He has no siblings and his father who was the King Lord of the neighbourhood is in prison. ...more

This is it! Ms Angie is a phenomenal writer.. I was sceptical about this one, worried that I wouldn't connect with Maverick and his story. But Ms Angie weaved a perfect moving story that depicts how some of our black men and women get caught up in gang life. Nobody is born a banger, but real life circumstances will most likely lead you to it. It's never easy to just get out and make a normal honest living when your black skin already sets you at a disadvantage from the minute you're born. How it
...more

Even though I knew the ending, I was so taken in by the journey. Angie knows how to write characters that jump off the page and dialog that hits home. Full review to come
FULL REVIEW IS UP ON TOMES AND TEXTILES.
Well, I am here to report that Angie has done it yet again. She has written a brilliant character study of Starr Carter's (from The Hate U Give--is there anyone out that that HASN'T read this one?) father, Maverick, way back in the olden days, as a 17-year old living in Garden Heights.
Whi ...more
FULL REVIEW IS UP ON TOMES AND TEXTILES.
Well, I am here to report that Angie has done it yet again. She has written a brilliant character study of Starr Carter's (from The Hate U Give--is there anyone out that that HASN'T read this one?) father, Maverick, way back in the olden days, as a 17-year old living in Garden Heights.
Whi ...more

The journey of reading an Angie Thomas book told in emojis:
😬😆😊🥺😩😭💔😡🎉😞😳😥🙁😕🙃🙂😀🥺❤️
There are just so many feelings, y’all. She is such an incredible writer and I can’t wait to recommend this book to my students! Thomas has such a unique way of gripping us and pulling us into the action and hearts of her characters from the first page. Which is why when she rips out the heart of her characters, we feel completely torn in two as well. It’s absolutely amazing.
This was everything I wanted it to be for ...more
😬😆😊🥺😩😭💔😡🎉😞😳😥🙁😕🙃🙂😀🥺❤️
There are just so many feelings, y’all. She is such an incredible writer and I can’t wait to recommend this book to my students! Thomas has such a unique way of gripping us and pulling us into the action and hearts of her characters from the first page. Which is why when she rips out the heart of her characters, we feel completely torn in two as well. It’s absolutely amazing.
This was everything I wanted it to be for ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mock Printz 2022: February Selection: Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas | 11 | 55 | 5 minutes ago | |
Goodreads Librari...: This edition of Concrete Rose has too few pages | 6 | 55 | Mar 02, 2021 08:39PM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: Concrete Rose (The Hate U Give #0.5) by Angie Thomas - Restarting March 7th 2021 | 23 | 18 | Mar 02, 2021 09:56AM | |
ARTBA 2021: Concrete Rose | 2 | 6 | Feb 23, 2021 06:33AM |
Angie Thomas was born, raised, and still resides in Jackson, Mississippi as indicated by her accent. She is a former teen rapper whose greatest accomplishment was an article about her in Right-On Magazine with a picture included. She holds a BFA in Creative Writing from Belhaven University and an unofficial degree in Hip Hop. She can also still rap if needed. She is an inaugural winner of the Walt
...more
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The Hate U Give
(2 books)
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“Son, one of the biggest lies ever told is that black men don't feel emotions. Guess it's easier not to see us as human when you think we're heartless. Fact of the matter is, we feel things. Hurt, pain, sadness, all of it. We got a right to show them feelings as much as anybody else.
-Mr. Wyatt to Mav (Pg 164)”
—
9 likes
-Mr. Wyatt to Mav (Pg 164)”
“It's kinda like how we have to do with ourselves. Get rid of the things that don't do us any good. If it won't help the rose grow, you've gotta let it go.”
—
7 likes
More quotes…