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A review by pastelwriter
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
challenging
hopeful
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
5.0
Angie Thomas once again delivered a book that should make it into classrooms. Seriously. Angie Thomas is out here doing the work.
First and foremost, the reason why this book would be excellent in schools is because it can help combat the stigma against drug dealing. By following Maverick’s story, the reader can see how challenging it is to survive when you are in a neighborhood with scarce resources. Maverick is a teenager, and one of the reasons he’s struggling to not take the “easy” way out is because it’s what the people around him, including friends and people he looks up to, expect him to do. When faced with many stresses, including grief, it comes as little surprise that Maverick makes one reckless decision after another trying to find solace in a world that feels so uncertain.
We all need to have more sympathy for the Maverick’s of the real world. By starting to see these decisions as the consequence of much larger systems, we can begin to do the work to change what leads teens to feel like they have no options other than joining gangs and dealing drugs.
Apart from all that though. It was so fantastic to read from Maverick’s point of view. Seeing things from his end made me realize how young he and the people around him were having babies. It’s definitely one of the primary themes of this book. It explores the challenges of being a teen parent in depth. Maverick doesn’t have it easy at all. He struggles to find balance between being a parent and being a teenager.
In addition, I loved how this explored the grief of a black boy. Maverick struggled so much to show vulnerability, but he ultimately did. It was beautiful to see him slowly accept his emotions and seek support.
On an entirely different note. Let me scream here because Maverick’s mom is bisexual!!!! She has a female partner in this! I couldn’t believe it! I had a feeling this was the case when they kept mentioning a particular character so much, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I should have known Angie Thomas wouldn’t let me down.
Speaking of Maverick’s mom... She and Lisa were icons. I love them so much. They were always giving Maverick hell, and it was my everything. Lol. They both loved him so much, but they definitely didn’t let his questionable behavior slide. We love to see it.
All in all. I loved this. It was another incredible book from the amazing Angie Thomas.
First and foremost, the reason why this book would be excellent in schools is because it can help combat the stigma against drug dealing. By following Maverick’s story, the reader can see how challenging it is to survive when you are in a neighborhood with scarce resources. Maverick is a teenager, and one of the reasons he’s struggling to not take the “easy” way out is because it’s what the people around him, including friends and people he looks up to, expect him to do. When faced with many stresses, including grief, it comes as little surprise that Maverick makes one reckless decision after another trying to find solace in a world that feels so uncertain.
We all need to have more sympathy for the Maverick’s of the real world. By starting to see these decisions as the consequence of much larger systems, we can begin to do the work to change what leads teens to feel like they have no options other than joining gangs and dealing drugs.
Apart from all that though. It was so fantastic to read from Maverick’s point of view. Seeing things from his end made me realize how young he and the people around him were having babies. It’s definitely one of the primary themes of this book. It explores the challenges of being a teen parent in depth. Maverick doesn’t have it easy at all. He struggles to find balance between being a parent and being a teenager.
In addition, I loved how this explored the grief of a black boy. Maverick struggled so much to show vulnerability, but he ultimately did. It was beautiful to see him slowly accept his emotions and seek support.
On an entirely different note. Let me scream here because Maverick’s mom is bisexual!!!! She has a female partner in this! I couldn’t believe it! I had a feeling this was the case when they kept mentioning a particular character so much, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I should have known Angie Thomas wouldn’t let me down.
Speaking of Maverick’s mom... She and Lisa were icons. I love them so much. They were always giving Maverick hell, and it was my everything. Lol. They both loved him so much, but they definitely didn’t let his questionable behavior slide. We love to see it.
All in all. I loved this. It was another incredible book from the amazing Angie Thomas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Gun violence