Concrete Rose

A Printz Honor Winner

By: Angie Thomas

Narrated by: Dion Graham

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. A Printz Honor Book!

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.

I haven't felt this way about a book in YEARS

Lately, I find reading a chore (as well as listening to books). This book... I looked forward to reading this book more than I did my next meal or sleep. This book is SO engaging.

The narrator was PHENOMENAL. The way his voice cracked at the right parts, his slight change of tone per character... the way he spoke. Eloquent and talented! He gave this book LIFE.

As for the book, it was beautiful, deep, and so well-written. I don't want to give any spoilers so all I will say is this: this book is WORTH a listen. I generally hate sequels to books or movies so for me to wish there was a sequel to this book says it all.

AMAZING

This book had amazing writing and the narrator did amazing voices. I loved it and I would recommend. There was some vulgar parts but still amazing!!

Great Book!

This was a really good story line left me wanting more on the charters which is how a good book should be.

Beautiful story

I love the performance of what’s going on inside the main characters head. Not just what he does or doesn’t do but what he feels what he’s thinking, the author conveys so strongly and beautifully the evoking of REAL relatable emotion.

Riveting

To be brought into this unfamiliar world and yet find myself entangled with the emotions of these characters, I found this story riveting.

Wonderful writing

Excellent story from the beginning to the very end. I love how the main character, Maverick, Goes through some amazing changes.

amazing story, amazing performance

I love Angie Thomas's stories, and this is no exception. Maybe her best yet. It broke my heart when a character was introduced from THUG, because I knew some of their fates. Every chapter had me living in this world for the first time again. Their world is authentic, and real.

As for the performance, if I could have given 20 stars I would have. I would listen to this narrator read absolutely anything and be grateful. He is so incredibly talented, I had a hard time remembering that this WASN'T his personal memoir. He did a glorious job.

Wonderful!

This book should be required in school. People need to see this perspective, it is pivotal learning that our society needs.

Amazing Narrator

One of the best narrators I’ve heard! Definitely recommend! Angie Thomas does it again. If you love THUG you need to check this out.

Incredible story, amazing narrator

Loved every moment. Even the angst-filled, tough moments, we’re so well narrated that I felt I was right there. 11/10