Concrete Rose (The Hate U Give, #0)(86)

My agent, Brooks, who watered the buds and reminded me that it was a flower even when it looked its worst, along with my Janklow & Nesbit team: Roma Panganiban, Emma Winter, Stephanie Koven, and Cullen Stanley.

My film agent, Mary, who is sunshine personified.

My Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins family, who are willing to pull the weeds and nurture the rose so it can blossom into something for all to see: Suzanne Murphy, Ebony LaDelle, Valerie Wong, Jenna Stempel-Lobell, Alison Donalty, Jennifer Corcoran, Aubrey Churchward, Kathryn Silsand, Mark Rifkin, Allison Brown, Tiara Kittrell, Patty Rosati, and so many more.

My assistant, Marina, who keeps everything else in tip-top shape so that I can focus on the garden.

Cathy Charles, for her beautiful depiction of Maverick on the cover art.

Russell Hornsby, who brought Maverick to life in such a phenomenal way on-screen that I suddenly realized there was a story to be told.

Tupac, the original rose that grew from concrete. May your words live forever.

And you. Every single rose reading this book, whether you live in concrete or not. Keep surviving, keep thriving. Your beauty is a gift to the world.