Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas is widely praised for its authentic portrayal of Maverick Carter's coming-of-age story in a gritty, heartfelt narrative. Reviewers appreciate its raw language and emotional depth, though some note that its pace can be uneven. The novel's strong thematic focus on responsibility and family resonates deeply, despite minor plot predictability.

Readers who would enjoy Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas are typically young adults who appreciate contemporary, realistic fiction exploring themes of identity, family, and personal growth. Comparable to fans of The Hate U Give and Long Way Down, they value stories with powerful social messages and relatable, diverse characters.

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas is a prequel to The Hate U Give, following 17-year-old Maverick "Mav" Carter of Garden Heights as he navigates fatherhood, gang life, and poverty after discovering he has a baby son. Mav works towards leaving the dangerous lifestyle and securing a future for his family while contemplating leaving the King Lords gang. Gang violence and drug dealing are depicted.

Gritty / Emotional / Challenging / Inspirational / Heartwarming

- Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas is a prequel to her debut novel, The Hate U Give, providing fans with a deeper dive into the life of Maverick Carter, Starr's father.
- Angie Thomas drew inspiration from 1990s hip-hop culture for the setting and vibe of Concrete Rose, which resonates throughout the narrative.
- The title Concrete Rose is a nod to Tupac Shakur’s famous poem "The Rose that Grew from Concrete," highlighting themes of resilience and growth.

**Maverick “Mav” Carter**  
A 17-year-old living in Garden Heights, navigating life while tied to a gang legacy and facing the challenges of young fatherhood. He seeks a path to a better future for himself and his family.

**Lisa Montgomery**  
Mav’s bright and ambitious long-term girlfriend from the Garden who dreams of becoming a pediatrician. She faces the complexities of her relationship with Mav amid personal and external challenges.

**Dre**  
Mav’s older cousin and confidant who has stepped back from gang life to focus on his daughter. He supports Mav through his transition into fatherhood.

**Mr. Wyatt**  
Mav’s next-door neighbor and employer, who constantly encourages him to grow beyond his current circumstances. He serves as a mentor figure in Mav’s journey towards self-improvement.

**Adonis/Pops**  
Mav’s father, a respected gang leader now in prison, who offers guidance despite his incarceration. He and Mav have a complex relationship affected by emotional and familial challenges.

**Faye/Ma**  
Mav’s mother, who works hard to provide for him after his father’s incarceration. She supports Mav while pushing for his eventual departure from gang life.

**King**  
Mav’s best friend and fellow gang member, heavily involved in the drug trade. His relationship with Mav is tested by personal conflicts and differing life paths.

**King Jr./Seven/Li’l Man**  
Mav and Iesha’s infant son, initially named King Jr. but later renamed Seven. He is a source of love and motivation for Mav.

**Iesha**  
Seven’s mother, who is struggling with mental health issues post-birth, leading to complications in her relationship with Mav and their son.

**Shawn**  
The leader of the King Lords and a friend of Dre, who looks out for younger gang members like Mav. His presence is significant in maintaining order within the gang.

Angie Thomas

Novel

The Hate U Give

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Concrete Rose and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Concrete Rose Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Germination”

Part 1, Chapters 1-5

Concrete Rose Part 1, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 6-11

Concrete Rose Part 1, Chapters 6-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Growth”

Part 2, Chapters 12-16

Concrete Rose Part 2, Chapters 12-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 17-19

Concrete Rose Part 2, Chapters 17-19 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Dormancy”

Part 3, Chapters 20-25

Concrete Rose Part 3, Chapters 20-25 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapter 26-Epilogue

Concrete Rose Part 3, Chapter 26-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Concrete Rose Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Concrete Rose Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Concrete Rose Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Concrete Rose Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Concrete Rose Essay Topics

Concrete Rose Teaching Materials

How to use

Concrete Rose How to use

Quiz

Concrete Rose Quiz

Pre-Reading Context

Concrete Rose Pre-Reading Context

Thought & Response Prompts

Concrete Rose Thought & Response Prompts

Paired Texts & Other Resources

Concrete Rose Paired Texts & Other Resources

Activities

Concrete Rose Activities

Essay Questions

Concrete Rose Essay Questions

Concrete Rose

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Concrete Rose?

Reading Age

Book Details