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Pocket Change Collective
Concrete Kids
In Concrete Kids, playwright, musician, and educator Amyra León uses free verse to challenge us to dream beyond our circumstances -- and sometimes even despite them.
Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists.
Concrete Kids 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.
Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists.
Concrete Kids 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.
96 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2020
11 people are currently reading
1520 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
September 9, 2020
Such a powerful book. I don't think that I was expecting to be so readily impacted by this book, but it happened. Penguin is definitely doing the damn thing with these pocket change books. I received this book as an ARC for review. All thoughts are my own
Concrete Kids is another book in Penguin Teens new pocket change series. I read one other this year titled Beyond the Gender Binary. I absolutely loved that one so when I was given the opportunity to check out another one in this series I jumped on it. Amyra Leon is truly a gift to this world. She's not only an author, but also a musician, playwright, and activist. Concrete Kids is a accumulation of poetry and prose as Leon describes to readers her experience growing up in Brooklyn, NY. Leon touches on everything from the treatment of Black bodies to her own experience growing up in foster care and having to learn to love herself when those adults responsible for her well being did not. I was mesmerized by her ability to take the simplest of poems and truly capture the full image of the Black experience. From gentrification to the battle with the Aids epidemic to the endless cycle of violence introduced to our children, she doesn't abstain from covering anything. There were multiple sections that I had to read over and over not only because I wanted to make sure I understood her true intentions and meanings, but also because the passages were so beautiful. There were references to songs like Lip Gloss by Lil Mama, Strange Fruit, and even Timbaland & Magoo. I appreciated all of those references because they, too, were important and pivotal during my childhood.
This book while short is such a powerful dedication to all kids with melanin. It's an encouragement to look beyond the here and now and find the power to dream big. I loved it. It's so understandable as to why some have difficult looking outside of the confines of their block. The issues and circumstances that a lot of these kids face never ceases to blow my mind. Some will see more tragedy in a day than some adults see in their lifetime. And Leon reminds readers of that. She doesn't hold back or gloss over those difficult topics.
If you haven't checked out any of the Penguin Pocket Change Collectives please give them a try. They are well worth a read. I haven't been disappointed yet and I truly believe that this is such a powerful addition to the collection.
Concrete Kids is another book in Penguin Teens new pocket change series. I read one other this year titled Beyond the Gender Binary. I absolutely loved that one so when I was given the opportunity to check out another one in this series I jumped on it. Amyra Leon is truly a gift to this world. She's not only an author, but also a musician, playwright, and activist. Concrete Kids is a accumulation of poetry and prose as Leon describes to readers her experience growing up in Brooklyn, NY. Leon touches on everything from the treatment of Black bodies to her own experience growing up in foster care and having to learn to love herself when those adults responsible for her well being did not. I was mesmerized by her ability to take the simplest of poems and truly capture the full image of the Black experience. From gentrification to the battle with the Aids epidemic to the endless cycle of violence introduced to our children, she doesn't abstain from covering anything. There were multiple sections that I had to read over and over not only because I wanted to make sure I understood her true intentions and meanings, but also because the passages were so beautiful. There were references to songs like Lip Gloss by Lil Mama, Strange Fruit, and even Timbaland & Magoo. I appreciated all of those references because they, too, were important and pivotal during my childhood.
This book while short is such a powerful dedication to all kids with melanin. It's an encouragement to look beyond the here and now and find the power to dream big. I loved it. It's so understandable as to why some have difficult looking outside of the confines of their block. The issues and circumstances that a lot of these kids face never ceases to blow my mind. Some will see more tragedy in a day than some adults see in their lifetime. And Leon reminds readers of that. She doesn't hold back or gloss over those difficult topics.
If you haven't checked out any of the Penguin Pocket Change Collectives please give them a try. They are well worth a read. I haven't been disappointed yet and I truly believe that this is such a powerful addition to the collection.
November 28, 2021
4 stars. Short, simple, and powerful: Concrete Kids is an incredible collection of poetry that packs a powerful despite its short length.
April 6, 2022
[REVIEW]
*Trigger/content warnings in this book for blood, child abuse, death, gun violence, murder, and racism*
This was such a poignant and haunting and powerful little book! Leon gets very vulnerable during this when talking about family, the foster care system, and loss of loved ones, and I appreciated that. I hope Leon writes more books and poetry collections, because I could not get enough of the writing. I recommend this to everyone!
*Trigger/content warnings in this book for blood, child abuse, death, gun violence, murder, and racism*
This was such a poignant and haunting and powerful little book! Leon gets very vulnerable during this when talking about family, the foster care system, and loss of loved ones, and I appreciated that. I hope Leon writes more books and poetry collections, because I could not get enough of the writing. I recommend this to everyone!
February 28, 2021
Eu amo tanto essa coleção <3 Esse eu não nem sabia o que esperar do tema, não conhecia quem escreve, e aí quando comecei a ler descobri que é escrito em verso (!!!), que a escrita é MUITO, MUITO BOA, e a autora é maravilhosa?!
February 21, 2021
this was really good. a cross between a poetry book and a memoir. for the forgotten ones...
January 1, 2024
Concrete Kids was a phenomenal book of poetry. Anything from the Pocket Change Collective is worth a read. I loved the use of free verse in this collection. I am so happy to have started my year of reading with this book!
March 12, 2022
Concrete Kids is raw and real and feels deeply personal.
Quote:”I suppose that’s what mothers do, forgive on behalf of God, they are both capable of giving life.“
Quote:”I suppose that’s what mothers do, forgive on behalf of God, they are both capable of giving life.“
February 13, 2023
For most of my life, I just didn’t think poetry was for me, until two discoveries in recent years - books in verse and audiobooks. The longer format of the former and the fact I’m being read to (rather than me guessing how it should be read) have opened my eyes to a whole new world! This is the sixth book I’ve read from the Pocket Change Collective - and I believe my third book in verse - and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Heartfelt, timely, motivating. Perfect for young progressives.
January 13, 2026
out of all of the PCC, this one hit me the hardest. It's part poetry part narrative and it is just really impactful. Definitely one of the ones I would recommend first out of the entire collection.
in general about the pocket change collective: these are such a good way to absorb new information quickly and efficiently. they introduce a great variety of important issues and every single one is a worthwhile read.
in general about the pocket change collective: these are such a good way to absorb new information quickly and efficiently. they introduce a great variety of important issues and every single one is a worthwhile read.
June 1, 2021
I really liked this book of poems, the words and imagery and space on the page. But can we just talk about the physical book for a moment? Way to go, Pocket Change Collective! This is a beautiful, small, perfect book that could easily travel everywhere with someone.
June 20, 2021
I really like the pocket change collective series. This book is different from all the others I've read and it's beautiful. The themes are heavy and pieces break your heart, but the prose is beautiful. The writing is amazing. I highly recommend.
June 11, 2020
I don't think I even have words, but hopefully these few will do: beautiful, haunting, uplifting. This poetry anthology does something many similar examples do not: leaves readers with a profound sense of hope.
July 5, 2020
Great addition for high school poetry shelves. I think teens will find the language accessible and interesting. Lovely glimpse into a life of hardship and hope
November 27, 2020
Read it in one sitting and the author's style is absolutely resolute and resounding!
Amyra Leon's manner of delivering each societical and economic issues has been such read-worthy packed with joys of wisdom and profound pleasure!
Looking forward as to when they would open a COR💪
Amyra Leon's manner of delivering each societical and economic issues has been such read-worthy packed with joys of wisdom and profound pleasure!
Looking forward as to when they would open a COR💪
January 25, 2021
Moving, beautiful, and timely. I love everything about this -- from the cover artwork, to the small size, to the accessible poetry. This is a great addition to all YA poetry collections.
April 8, 2021
this book makes for great YA poetry. It’s a short, accessible, and quick read that touches on Blackness, foster care, generational trauma, joy and resilience.
November 23, 2022
Beautiful. This is my favorite of the Pocket Change Collective, so far.
March 1, 2023
A short but powerful collection of poems about childhood and adolescence in a foster family, and the deep emotional toll of racism and poverty. Recommended.
October 10, 2023
“It requires me to love myself so much that the darkest parts of my history are worn with pride. It reminds me that I am beautiful regardless of the wars I’ve known.” ♥️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2021
Her voice is absolutely beautiful 😍 this was an amazing way to try and get back into reading again. It was amazing to hear how authentic she was reading her words in her own voice and being able to hear how it should be read. Amazing.
December 16, 2020
Written in verse and a very quick read. This book tackled issues that Black Americans face everyday, our culture, and even our fears. I recommend this book for everyone.
February 25, 2023
This is an absolutely alluring poetry book! Amyra created this project with such love and emotion, I couldn't help but fall into tears while reading a few of these passages. You can feel the care she has for her adoptive mother and home, the raw emotion of what happens to the people in her community. It's such a journey for such a small book, I am so glad I read it. I am excited about Amyra's next projects, I will happily be there to read!
April 8, 2024
Moving.
Read
June 25, 2020Searing free verse and prose offer glimpses of the author’s growing up: being pulled from her single mother to enter the foster care system, being passed from home to home, being placed with the woman who would become “Mommy” just before her 8th birthday, growing up on the streets of Harlem (“There is no way to discuss Harlem’s wonder without its struggle and no way to mention its struggle without its celebration. Depending on the day, you could find Harlem somewhere between Eden and a war zone”).
León does not hold back on the “war zone” aspects, and the shootings and conversations about lynchings and “niggas” make this more appropriate for older teens and adults.
The digital arc was not formatted in a way that allowed me to see layout/ white space or illustrations, so I don’t feel that I can offer any kind of rating. This is the first Pocket Change Collective book I’ve read, so I don’t know how it compares to the other titles.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the electronic arc.
León does not hold back on the “war zone” aspects, and the shootings and conversations about lynchings and “niggas” make this more appropriate for older teens and adults.
The digital arc was not formatted in a way that allowed me to see layout/ white space or illustrations, so I don’t feel that I can offer any kind of rating. This is the first Pocket Change Collective book I’ve read, so I don’t know how it compares to the other titles.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the electronic arc.
April 4, 2022
Concrete Kids by Amyra León is a poetry book written for young adult readers that centers around the experiences of the author. She writes about her experiences with her mother, growing up in the foster care system, her adopted mother, growing up mixed, and her experiences as a black woman. This collection of poems includes complex themes like loss, anger, depression, loneliness, love, and bloodshed. While some might think that these themes are inappropriate for students, some elementary students have also had to deal with things outside of their age. Having texts that students can relate to is very important when trying to increase excitement for reading and reading comprehension.
I believe that reading these poems to students would be extremely beneficial, both for students to gain a new perspective and for students to feel like they are not alone in their experiences. Reading these poems aloud would be advantageous for students to learn about rhyme schemes, how to pronounce certain words, and how to read with proper prosody. With that being said, I believe the teacher should pick which poems to read aloud and if students want to read more individually, they can. This is because some of these poems are more complex than others and students might have trouble comprehending the text. However, one way teachers can use this as an advantage is they can utilize these poems to expose students to unfamiliar vocabulary words. Teachers could also print out certain poems and have students practice their annotation skills and their ability to determine what the author is saying. Additionally, teachers could have students participate in discussions, either in a small group or a large group, after reading one of the poems. This way, students can discuss how they felt after reading the poem and questions or comments they had.
These poems are extremely well written and convey so much emotion about topics students might not hear about during school. This collection of poems gave me a better insight into aspects of other people's lives I have never experienced before. While some of these poems made me emotional, I believe that reading texts that make you uncomfortable and emotional is important for growth and understanding. I also believe it is important that students can see themselves in the stories or poems that they read.
I believe that reading these poems to students would be extremely beneficial, both for students to gain a new perspective and for students to feel like they are not alone in their experiences. Reading these poems aloud would be advantageous for students to learn about rhyme schemes, how to pronounce certain words, and how to read with proper prosody. With that being said, I believe the teacher should pick which poems to read aloud and if students want to read more individually, they can. This is because some of these poems are more complex than others and students might have trouble comprehending the text. However, one way teachers can use this as an advantage is they can utilize these poems to expose students to unfamiliar vocabulary words. Teachers could also print out certain poems and have students practice their annotation skills and their ability to determine what the author is saying. Additionally, teachers could have students participate in discussions, either in a small group or a large group, after reading one of the poems. This way, students can discuss how they felt after reading the poem and questions or comments they had.
These poems are extremely well written and convey so much emotion about topics students might not hear about during school. This collection of poems gave me a better insight into aspects of other people's lives I have never experienced before. While some of these poems made me emotional, I believe that reading texts that make you uncomfortable and emotional is important for growth and understanding. I also believe it is important that students can see themselves in the stories or poems that they read.
March 15, 2024
Concrete Kids by Amyra León is a short yet powerful work of art. In this collection of poems she discusses her personal background and hardships she faced growing up in Spanish Harlem.
As León writes in the beginning of the book, these poems are for kids like herself. “This is for the concrete kids. - the kids with a melanin and kiss. the kids drenched in poverty. - the kids who are told to cut their hair, to tame their tone. - the kids who are told to shorten their names and disappear their tongues.” (Page 4) She writes her poems for the under represented and discriminated kids. Yet she also wants to share their story and bring and bring to light the struggle they go through, through her art. She is effective in this. She captures you by using the personal element and sharing about her life.
An example of this is the poem Lemonade where she talks about using everything you are given to the fullest. When life gives you lemons Make lemonade Obviously Then use the skin To make tea And plant the seeds just in case They take to the soil (lemonade page 73) This shows the way she was raised and the way her situation taught her. She describes the way in which she uses every part of a lemon to put it to good use and not waste it. She is always thinking of the future and how she can do best later in her life. It shows the possibility that something fruitful will come out of her planting a seed.
Blink is my favorite poem in the book. It explores the idea of remembering and seeing in stop motion during a traumatic event. Each time the author writes “ blink” during these poems is a blank in her memory of the time a kid in her neighborhood got shot. The format of these poems is not consistent. This shows the irregularity of the situation and shows how unfair it is. When She remembers what happens she remembers thinking. “He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives.” (blink page 42) This comes up a few times throughout the book and it is a theme in her life. Having grown up in Spanish Harlem where she is confronted with death and violence a considerable amount when someone survives, she is overcome with the feeling she had the first time she saw someone get shot. This book is a personal diary that creates a bridge to social activism through the artistic eye.
As León writes in the beginning of the book, these poems are for kids like herself. “This is for the concrete kids. - the kids with a melanin and kiss. the kids drenched in poverty. - the kids who are told to cut their hair, to tame their tone. - the kids who are told to shorten their names and disappear their tongues.” (Page 4) She writes her poems for the under represented and discriminated kids. Yet she also wants to share their story and bring and bring to light the struggle they go through, through her art. She is effective in this. She captures you by using the personal element and sharing about her life.
An example of this is the poem Lemonade where she talks about using everything you are given to the fullest. When life gives you lemons Make lemonade Obviously Then use the skin To make tea And plant the seeds just in case They take to the soil (lemonade page 73) This shows the way she was raised and the way her situation taught her. She describes the way in which she uses every part of a lemon to put it to good use and not waste it. She is always thinking of the future and how she can do best later in her life. It shows the possibility that something fruitful will come out of her planting a seed.
Blink is my favorite poem in the book. It explores the idea of remembering and seeing in stop motion during a traumatic event. Each time the author writes “ blink” during these poems is a blank in her memory of the time a kid in her neighborhood got shot. The format of these poems is not consistent. This shows the irregularity of the situation and shows how unfair it is. When She remembers what happens she remembers thinking. “He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives. He lives.” (blink page 42) This comes up a few times throughout the book and it is a theme in her life. Having grown up in Spanish Harlem where she is confronted with death and violence a considerable amount when someone survives, she is overcome with the feeling she had the first time she saw someone get shot. This book is a personal diary that creates a bridge to social activism through the artistic eye.
November 4, 2023
Read as an audiobook
Normally, I have mixed feelings about listening to poetry as an audiobook. But if you can, I highly recommend listening to Concrete Kids. The author narrates it herself and she's phenomenal! There is true emotion in her voice. The writing also sucked me right in; I would have read it in a day if I had not gotten distracted by other things.
Concrete Kids is, mostly, autobiographical. It begins when the author is sent into foster care, where she eventually lands into the custody of a loving Hispanic woman in Harlem that she refers to as her mother. The bulk of the work focuses on the beauty and pain of being Black and living in Harlem: the poverty, police brutality, racism, midst the joy of a lively community. There are other stories woven throughout that broke my heart, diving deep into human experiences different from mine. The kind of stories we all need to read.
Normally, I have mixed feelings about listening to poetry as an audiobook. But if you can, I highly recommend listening to Concrete Kids. The author narrates it herself and she's phenomenal! There is true emotion in her voice. The writing also sucked me right in; I would have read it in a day if I had not gotten distracted by other things.
Concrete Kids is, mostly, autobiographical. It begins when the author is sent into foster care, where she eventually lands into the custody of a loving Hispanic woman in Harlem that she refers to as her mother. The bulk of the work focuses on the beauty and pain of being Black and living in Harlem: the poverty, police brutality, racism, midst the joy of a lively community. There are other stories woven throughout that broke my heart, diving deep into human experiences different from mine. The kind of stories we all need to read.
Read
April 26, 2021From Follett: Pocket Change Collective was born out of a need for space. Space to think. Space to connect. Space to be yourself. And this is your invitation to join us.
In Concrete Kids, playwright, musician, and educator Amyra Le n uses free verse to challenge us to dream beyond our circumstances -- and sometimes even despite them.
Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists.
Concrete Kids is an exploration of love and loss, melody, and bloodshed. Musician, playwright, and educator Amyra Le n 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.
In Concrete Kids, playwright, musician, and educator Amyra Le n uses free verse to challenge us to dream beyond our circumstances -- and sometimes even despite them.
Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists.
Concrete Kids is an exploration of love and loss, melody, and bloodshed. Musician, playwright, and educator Amyra Le n 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.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews