Concrete Rose (novel)

Concrete Rose
Author	Angie Thomas
Published	January 12, 2021
Publisher	Balzer + Bray
Publication place	Africa
Pages	368
ISBN	9780062846716
Followed by	The Hate U Give

Concrete Rose is a young adult novel by Angie Thomas, published January 12, 2021, by Balzer + Bray.

Quick Facts Author, Published ...

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Concrete Rose was generally well-received, including starred reviews from Booklist,^[1] Kirkus Reviews,^[2] School Library Journal,^[3] and Shelf Awareness.^[4] According to Book Marks, the book received "rave" reviews based on ten critic reviews with ten being "rave".^[5] On Bookmarks March/April 2021 issue, reported on reviews from several publications with ratings for the novel out of five: Bull Cntr Children's Books, Christian Science Monitor, LA Review of Books, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Time, and Washington Post gave it a four with a critical summary saying, "Instead, Mavs back story'provides opportunities to savor the books relationships, delight in deeper understanding of the major and minor characters, and focus on the front-row view of Garden Heights" (Christian Science Monitor)".^[6]

Time's Cleyvis Natera stated, "Thomas' genius is her ability to craft one man's history in a way that illuminates the forces that brought us to this critical juncture."^[7] Nic Stone of The Washington Post echoed the sentiment, saying,

[O]ne of my favorite things about Angie Thomas is that she's always willing to dig a little deeper, to peel back another layer. This is what makes her latest novel, Concrete Rose — her best, in my opinion — a gift. It not only eviscerates the 'fast Black girl' stereotype and debunks the myth of the Bailing Black Baby Daddy, it gives us insight into the life of a boy most people wouldn't even attempt to look at beyond the surface.^[8]

The audiobook, narrated by Dion Graham, also received a positive review from Booklist, which said,

Graham is a natural and convincing storyteller. Graham's solo narration showcases a keen ability to embody both the innocent and the often-troubled side of Maverick. Graham's voice also adapts well to fast-moving scenes, acquainting listeners to the edginess of street life as well as the unrelenting wisdom of a community that continues to grow amid adversity.^[9]

Concrete Rose was a New York Times and IndieBound bestseller.^[2] Kirkus Reviews named it one of the best young adult novels of 2021.^[2] Both the book and audiobook editions are Junior Library Guild selections.^[10]^[11]

More information Year, Award ...

Awards and honors for *Concrete Rose*
Year	Award	Result	Ref.
2021	Cybils Award for Young Adult Fiction	Finalist	^[12]
2021	Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction	Nominee	^[13]
2022	Michael L. Printz Award	Honor	^[14]
2022	Carnegie Medal for Young Adult Fiction	Longlist	^[15]

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Thomas was inspired to write the book due to readers' interest of Maverick as a dad in her novel The Hate U Give.

So many kids would tell me Maverick is the best dad they've seen; they wish their dad was like him. We know he was once in a gang and did drugs — and for some people, that doesn't line up with the father and the man we see. I started to think about the character on a deeper level. Having conversations with Russell Hornsby, who played Maverick in the movie, really sparked the flame.^[16]

[1]
Davenport, Enishia (January 1, 2021). "Concrete Rose". Booklist. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
[2]
"Concrete Rose". Kirkus Reviews. November 9, 2020. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
[3]
Thomas, Desiree (December 1, 2020). "Concrete Rose". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
[4]
Kenner, Kharissa (January 26, 2021). "Concrete Rose". Shelf Awareness. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
[5]
"Concrete Rose". Book Marks. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
[6]
"Concrete Rose". Bookmarks. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
[7]
Natera, Cleyvis (January 12, 2021). "Angie Thomas' New Prequel to 'The Hate U Give' Challenges the Cult of Masculinity". Time. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
[8]
"Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas book review". The Washington Post. January 21, 2021. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
[9]
Jamison, Andrea (March 15, 2021). "Concrete Rose". Booklist. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
[10]
"Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
[11]
"Concrete Rose (Audiobook) by Angie Thomas". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
[12]
"2021 Cybils Finalists". Children's and Young Adult Book Lover's Literary Awards. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
[13]
"Concrete Rose". Goodreads. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
[14]
Morales, Macey (January 24, 2022). "American Library Association announces 2022 Youth Media Award winners". American Library Association. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
[15]
"Longlists Announced for Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Awards 2022". The Yoto Carnegies. February 16, 2022. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
[16]
Egan, Elisabeth (January 28, 2021). "Books Are Back in the White House — And One of Them Is by Angie Thomas". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.

[1] [1]
Davenport, Enishia (January 1, 2021). "Concrete Rose". Booklist. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

[:0-2] [2]
"Concrete Rose". Kirkus Reviews. November 9, 2020. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

[3] [3]
Thomas, Desiree (December 1, 2020). "Concrete Rose". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

[4] [4]
Kenner, Kharissa (January 26, 2021). "Concrete Rose". Shelf Awareness. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

[5] [5]
"Concrete Rose". Book Marks. Retrieved January 16, 2024.

[6] [6]
"Concrete Rose". Bookmarks. Retrieved January 14, 2023.

[7] [7]
Natera, Cleyvis (January 12, 2021). "Angie Thomas' New Prequel to 'The Hate U Give' Challenges the Cult of Masculinity". Time. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

[8] [8]
"Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas book review". The Washington Post. January 21, 2021. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

[9] [9]
Jamison, Andrea (March 15, 2021). "Concrete Rose". Booklist. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

[10] [10]
"Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2023.

[11] [11]
"Concrete Rose (Audiobook) by Angie Thomas". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2023.

[:31-12] [12]
"2021 Cybils Finalists". Children's and Young Adult Book Lover's Literary Awards. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.

[13] [13]
"Concrete Rose". Goodreads. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

[14] [14]
Morales, Macey (January 24, 2022). "American Library Association announces 2022 Youth Media Award winners". American Library Association. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved February 1, 2022.

[15] [15]
"Longlists Announced for Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Awards 2022". The Yoto Carnegies. February 16, 2022. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.

[16] [16]
Egan, Elisabeth (January 28, 2021). "Books Are Back in the White House — And One of Them Is by Angie Thomas". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.

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Concrete Rose (novel)

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Critical reception

Awards and honors

Inspiration

References