Concrete Kids

<b>A Goddard CBC's Social Justice Prize Nominee • A YALSA Amazing Audiobook for Young Adults</b><br><br>"I will close my eyes and disappear into the pages of this book for many years to come."--Hanif Abdurraqib (<i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Go Ahead in The Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest</i>)<br><br>"Amyra's wondrous awe for life in all its terror and splendor is inspiring to witness."--Rosario Dawson (award-winning actor, singer, and activist)<br><br>"A moving, inspiring love letter to and about 'the concrete kids. The kids with a melanin kiss.'"--<i> Kirkus Reviews </i><br><br>"Leon's powerful book will embolden readers find their own ways of speaking out against injustice." -- <i>Booklist</i>, Starred Review<br><br>"A raw and complex free verse exploration of self-love, Blackness, womanhood, and healing. A timely, essential ­purchase for all young adult collections." --<i> School Library Journal</i>, Starred Review<br><br>In<i> Concrete Kids,</i> playwright, musician, and educator Amyra León uses free verse to challenge us to dream beyond our circumstances -- and sometimes even despite them.<br><br>Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists. <br><br><i>Concrete Kids</i> is an exploration of love and loss, melody and bloodshed. Musician, playwright, and educator Amyra León takes us on a poetic journey through her childhood in Harlem, as she navigates the intricacies of foster care, mourning, self-love, and resilience. In her signature free-verse style, she invites us all to dream with abandon--and to recognize the privilege it is to dream at all.