Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

 


Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas is a great read especially for those who enjoyed “The Hate U Give.” Obviously it’s written by the same author so you can expect the same raw truth of the difficulties faced while living in Garden Heights.  The writing is powerfully & realistically displayed. Concrete Rose is listed as “The Hate U Give #0” so that means this book takes place in Garden Heights before the events that took place in the “The Hate U Give.”  It also leads me to believe there just may be a Garden Heights series, which is a good prospect.

Maverick Carter is the main character who, overall is a smart/good teenager.  Unfortunately his father is in prison and once was the leader of the King Lords and had his son initiated into the gang for protection.  Maverick is in his senior year of high school, has a girlfriend, and is surrounded by friends.  Then his world is tossed upside down when a paternity test reveals he is the father of a baby boy.  To make things worse, his friend King thought he was the father because he is the boyfriend to the mother.  Things really get tough for Maverick as he finds himself sole guardian for his baby, seven.  He’s broke, tired, dumped by his girlfriend and frustrated trying to make ends meet. Nothing comes easy in Garden Heights.  



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