Concrete Rose
Bibliography
Thomas, A. (2021). CONCRETE ROSE. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780062846716
Plot Summary
At his young age of seventeen, Maverick already has to deal with being fatherless in a one parent household because his father is in prison. It is because of this, that he turns to selling drugs, to try and help his mother economically. At his young age, he also has to step-up and be a father to his newborn baby boy. He struggles with being a good father and staying in school or staying in the King Lords gang and risking being murdered. His world becomes even harder when his cousin (Dre) gets shot while with him outside his house and later finding out that his current girlfriend (Lisa) is also pregnant with his child. He tries to make smart choices, but because he needs to provide for his family, he falls back into dealing drugs and trying to find out who murdered his cousin. He is faced with making adult decisions that will ultimately seal his future. Decisions that deal with committing murder and continue being a drug dealer. At the end he decides that he wants to have a better future than what his dad had and makes the right decision to not kill his cousin's murderer and continue his education.
Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers)
CONCRETE ROSE is considered a fiction novel for young adult audiences. CONCRETE ROSE depicts many cultural markers that connect to the African-American culture. A very specific example is when Maverick is given permission to drive and his mother reminds him of what to do when a police officer stops him on the street. This has been known as the “talk” that has to be given to young African-American’s so as not to escalate the situation and get shot by the police. His mom said, “Don’t give the police a reason to pull you over. If they do-” and he responded, “Keep my hands visible, don’t make no sudden moves, and only speak when they speak to me.” “I know the talk by heart. Ma and Pops drilled it into my head since I was seven”. This is what young African-American male teenagers had to deal with after the Rodney King incident in 1991 and other police brutal incidents of that era.
The language dialect is another cultural marker that the novel depicts. The author does a great job in using words that are associated with the African-American culture. For example the phrases “gangstas”, “I ain’t gon’ let nobody diss me”, “a'ight", “ain’t tripping”, "Fa'sho", “gon”, “lil’l homie” and “dawg”. These and many other words in the novel are authentic to the language dialect that young African-American’s utilize when talking in a social setting. Because of this, many readers not accustomed to this way of speaking will find it hard to engage with the story line.
Another culture marker found in the novel are the names of the characters or forms that address them. Character names like P-Nut, Red, Li’l Man and Mav Man. These names are given to them because of some distinct physical characteristic or behavior.
The references to the kind of music and artists that the characters of CONCRETE ROSE mentioned are another cultural marker. Tupac Shakur was the main character’s idol. Maverick had researched everything about Tupac like: the connection between Tupac and the number seven, his stage name Makeveli and his last album titled “The Seven Day Theory”. References to his music like: “Hail Mary”, and “All Eyez on Me”. Other artists and other African-American famous people were also mentioned like Boyz II Men, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Kobe, Kareem and Shaq. All of these references are linked to the African-American culture. These references also allow the reader to conclude that the time period in the novel is the 1990s.
The physical attributes also contribute to the African-American culture. The references to the main character’s hair having “cornrows” and braids. The cornrows in the African-American culture signify perseverance and determination. At one point, Maverick called his hair a “fro” as in an afro.
The reader can also conclude that the overall themes of this novel can be finding your self (identity), friendships, family unity and overcoming obstacles. In evaluating the novel I agree that it has several cultural markers that connect to the African-American culture or way of life. The novel follows the literary elements which include plot, character development and settings, conflicts and resolution.
Review Excerpts
Horn Book Review: Fans of Thomas's work will not be disappointed by this intense portrayal of this phase in the Carter family's story. From March/April 2021
Kirkus Review: Worthy prequels make readers invest as though meeting characters for the first time; here they learn more about the intricate hierarchies and alliances within the King Lord gang and gain deeper insight into former ancillary characters, particularly Mav’s parents, King, and Iesha. Characters are Black.
Connections
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas.
The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur
Students reading this book will make strong connections to the African-American
way of life (culture). Readers will view themselves in the struggles of the main character
(Maverick Malcom Carter).
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