Concrete Rose (novel) explained

Published:January 12, 2021
Pages:368
Isbn:9780062846716
Followed By:The Hate U Give
Concrete Rose
Author:Angie Thomas
Publisher:Balzer + Bray
Country:Africa

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

Critical reception

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 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]

Awards and honors

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

Awards and honors for Concrete Rose!Year!Award!Result!Ref.
2021Cybils Award for Young Adult FictionFinalist[12]
Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult FictionNominee[13]
2022Michael L. Printz AwardHonor[14]
Carnegie Medal for Young Adult FictionLonglist[15]

Inspiration

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Davenport. Enishia. January 1, 2021. Concrete Rose. February 1, 2022. Booklist. February 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220201174312/https://www.booklistonline.com/Concrete-Rose-/pid=9741924. live.
  2. Web site: 2020-11-09 . Concrete Rose . 2022-02-01 . . February 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201175814/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/angie-thomas/concrete-rose/ . live .
  3. Web site: Thomas. Desiree. December 1, 2020. Concrete Rose. February 1, 2022. School Library Journal. February 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220201174310/https://www.slj.com/?reviewDetail=concrete-rose. live.
  4. Web site: Kenner. Kharissa. January 26, 2021. Concrete Rose. February 1, 2022. Shelf Awareness. February 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220201174310/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=990. live.
  5. Web site: Concrete Rose. 16 January 2024 . Book Marks.
  6. Web site: Concrete Rose. 14 January 2023 . Bookmarks.
  7. Natera. Cleyvis. Angie Thomas' New Prequel to 'The Hate U Give' Challenges the Cult of Masculinity. February 1, 2022. Time. January 12, 2021 . January 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119043908/https://time.com/5928689/concrete-rose-review-angie-thomas/. live.
  8. News: 2021-01-21. Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas book review. 2022-02-01. The Washington Post. February 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228165635/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/with-concrete-rose-angie-thomas-eviscerates-stereotypes-about-black-families/2021/01/15/05337eee-55d1-11eb-a817-e5e7f8a406d6_story.html. live.
  9. Web site: Jamison. Andrea. 2021-03-15. Concrete Rose. 2022-02-01. Booklist. February 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220201174312/https://www.booklistonline.com/Concrete-Rose-/pid=9745165. live.
  10. Web site: Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas . 2023-04-08 . . January 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220125235249/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/book/landing/detailedview?itemcode=9780062846716J&name=Concrete_Rose . live .
  11. Web site: Concrete Rose (Audiobook) by Angie Thomas . 2023-04-08 . . August 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220807223306/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/book/landing/detailedview?itemcode=9781954659087J&name=Concrete_Rose_(Audiobook) . live .
  12. Web site: 2021 Cybils Finalists . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230328000513/https://www.cybils.com/cybils-books/2021-cybils-finalists . 2023-03-28 . 2023-03-27 . Children's and Young Adult Book Lover's Literary Awards . en-US.
  13. Web site: Concrete Rose . February 1, 2022 . Goodreads . February 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201174308/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52822210-concrete-rose?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=JAJRHV5W99&rank=1 . live .
  14. Web site: Morales . Macey . January 24, 2022 . American Library Association announces 2022 Youth Media Award winners . February 1, 2022 . American Library Association . en . January 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220128160845/https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/01/american-library-association-announces-2022-youth-media-award-winners . live .
  15. Web site: 2022-02-16 . Longlists Announced for Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Awards 2022 . 2023-04-08 . . en-GB . April 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408034302/https://yotocarnegies.co.uk/longlists-announced-for-yoto-carnegie-greenaway-awards-2022/ . live .
  16. News: Egan . Elisabeth . 2021-01-28 . Books Are Back in the White House — And One of Them Is by Angie Thomas . en-US . . 2022-03-05 . 0362-4331 . March 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220305193936/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/books/review/concrete-rose-angie-thomas.html . live .

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