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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
If you've been living under a rock and haven't read The Hate U Give, it's time to start there. The story of Starr finding her voice in the wake of police brutality and divisive violence is a must. Concrete Rose is the prequel, the origin story of Starr's father Maverick and how he came to be the influential man in her life. It was a very tough road for him.
Growing up male in Garden Heights means that you are likely destined to 1) belong to a gang, 2) sell drugs, 3) die young, 4) struggle. Mav embodies several of these stereotypes, already a member of a gang, flunking out of high school, witnessing his best friend's murder, and fathering two kids with two different girls--all before he's 18. Through this book, we see him struggle to make ends meet, work a basic job and "sling" on the side, and wonder if his life will ever end up being different. It's cool to read how his life ebbs and flows, knowing how things are in The Hate U Give.
Angie Thomas is an excellent writer, and she completely captures an entirely different voice from Starr here in Mav's book. It's written in a slang style, perfect for someone in his situation. It is raw and honest, and Thomas chooses to examine how the toxic cult of masculinity influences Mav. He's taught to "keep his head up", to not cry, to do what he has to do, to keep his feelings in check, etc. It's a very insightful look into how men (especially what I presume inner-city Black men) are taught to act.
You really should read T.H.U.G., and then go back for this one. They're eye-opening and powerful.
Growing up male in Garden Heights means that you are likely destined to 1) belong to a gang, 2) sell drugs, 3) die young, 4) struggle. Mav embodies several of these stereotypes, already a member of a gang, flunking out of high school, witnessing his best friend's murder, and fathering two kids with two different girls--all before he's 18. Through this book, we see him struggle to make ends meet, work a basic job and "sling" on the side, and wonder if his life will ever end up being different. It's cool to read how his life ebbs and flows, knowing how things are in The Hate U Give.
Angie Thomas is an excellent writer, and she completely captures an entirely different voice from Starr here in Mav's book. It's written in a slang style, perfect for someone in his situation. It is raw and honest, and Thomas chooses to examine how the toxic cult of masculinity influences Mav. He's taught to "keep his head up", to not cry, to do what he has to do, to keep his feelings in check, etc. It's a very insightful look into how men (especially what I presume inner-city Black men) are taught to act.
You really should read T.H.U.G., and then go back for this one. They're eye-opening and powerful.
Read the book in 2 sittings... would have been one if not for the fact I needed to sleep.
Ready to read The Hate U Give ... just picked it up from the library.
Ready to read The Hate U Give ... just picked it up from the library.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A story about a teen boy who becomes a father and struggles to figure out what kind of life he wants to live. I liked this fine, but not nearly as much as The Hate You Give.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another great read by Angie Thomas. Love that this delves into the history of characters we meet later (or earlier) in The Hate U Give.
True reflection of teenagers which not all might appreciate but high school teachers would.
True reflection of teenagers which not all might appreciate but high school teachers would.
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another excellent book by Angie Thomas.
It captures such a unique and tender human experience that is not often described in the popular literature, it is a must read for everyone!
It is a book written with so much love and nurture for the characters. I really loved the story arc, the character development and the different layers of family and friendship dynamics.
A book to read again and again.
It captures such a unique and tender human experience that is not often described in the popular literature, it is a must read for everyone!
It is a book written with so much love and nurture for the characters. I really loved the story arc, the character development and the different layers of family and friendship dynamics.
A book to read again and again.