It’s kinda like how we have to do with ourselves. Get rid of things that don’t do us any good. If it won’t help the rose grow, you’ve gotta let it go.
Fans of The Hate U Give will thoroughly enjoy this prequel, which follows Star’s father, Maverick, from the time he finds out he’s going to become a father to… the time he finds out he’s going to be a father, again. When Maverick is suddenly thrust into fatherhood, he has to deal with raising his son with little help due to Iesha’s struggle with postpartum depression. He worries that his mom is disappointed in him, especially when he later finds out that he has impregnated his actual girlfriend, Lisa, due to their carelessness. Meanwhile, he has to decide if he will listen to those in his life who try to get him out of the drug selling game, or those that encourage him to follow his destiny to be a King Lord. Mav knows the street money will go a long way towards caring for his children, but will gangbanging ultimately jeopardize his chance to be a good father and role model to them? Readers will be able to relate to or empathize with the struggles of teenage life and life on the street. Those readers who came of age in the late 1990s will reminisce about their CD collections and landline caller ID! Concrete Rose is a layered story that will captivate and warm the hearts of readers of all ages and backgrounds.
Complexity + The linear timeline and single narrator make this an easy read. The cultural vernacular may make this a bit challenging for those unfamiliar with it.
Literary merit ++ Teachers may find opportunities to discuss the analogies and connections to T.H.U.G. Maverick narrates the story in AAVE which provides the opportunity to discuss code-switching and language usage.
Maturity++ This book deals with gun violence, death, drug dealing, sex, teenage pregnancy, and an incarcerated parent. There is some strong language.
Wisdom+++ Suffice it to say that Maverick goes through quite a transformation over just a few months of his young life. Lessons for young boys abound as this novel touches on maturity, family, responsibility, revenge, treatment of women, parental roles, and sacrifice.
Just Right Books for Teens 