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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: dealing for the King Lords. With this money he can help his mom, who works two jobs while his dad’s in prison.

Life’s not perfect, but with a fly girlfriend and a cousin who always has his back, Mav’s got everything under control.

Until, that is, Maverick finds out he’s a father.

Suddenly he has a baby, Seven, who depends on him for everything. But it’s not so easy to sling dope, finish school, and raise a child. So when he’s offered the chance to go straight, he takes it. In a world where he’s expected to amount to nothing, maybe Mav can prove he’s different.

When King Lord blood runs through your veins, though, you can't just walk away. Loyalty, revenge, and responsibility threaten to tear Mav apart, especially after the brutal murder of a loved one. He’ll have to figure out for himself what it really means to be a man.

Embark on a captivating journey with Angie Thomas's "Concrete Rose," a powerful and poignant novel that delves into the complexities of family, love, and the challenges of growing up in a tough neighborhood.

Set in the same world as her acclaimed debut novel, "The Hate U Give," Thomas takes us back to Garden Heights, introducing us to Maverick Carter, a young man trying to navigate the harsh realities of life on the streets.

With his incarcerated father and a mother struggling to make ends meet, Maverick faces immense pressure to join his neighborhood's underground economy in order to support his family and protect his younger brother, Sebastian.

As Maverick grapples with the weight of his responsibilities, he meets and falls in love with Issa, a young woman who challenges his worldview and inspires him to dream of a future beyond the streets.

However, just as Maverick begins to find hope, tragedy strikes, forcing him to confront the painful consequences of the choices he's made and the lengths he's willing to go to protect the people he loves.

"Concrete Rose" is a coming-of-age story that explores themes of loyalty, identity, and the sacrifices we make for family and community. With its raw and unflinching portrayal of urban life, Thomas's powerful storytelling shines a light on the resilience and strength of those living in marginalized neighborhoods.

Dive into "Concrete Rose" and witness Maverick's journey as he fights to break the cycle of poverty and violence, discovering the true meaning of love and family along the way.