#1 New York Times bestseller · Seven starred reviews · Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book “For all the struggle in this book, Thomas rarely misses a step as a writer. Thomas continues to hold up that mirror with grace and confidence. We are lucky to have her, and lucky to know a girl like Bri.”—The New York Times Book Review
This digital edition contains a letter from the author, deleted … Review
This digital edition contains a letter from the author, deleted scenes, a picture of the author as a teen rapper, an annotated playlist, Angie’s top 5 MCs, an annotated rap, illustrated quotes from the book, and an excerpt from Concrete Rose, Angie’s return to Garden Heights.
Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least win her first battle. As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri’s got massive shoes to fill.
But it’s hard to get your come up when you’re labeled a hoodlum at school, and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral . . . for all the wrong reasons.
Bri soon finds herself at the center of a controversy, portrayed by the media as more menace than MC. But with an eviction notice staring her family down, Bri doesn’t just want to make it—she has to. Even if it means becoming the very thing the public has made her out to be.
Insightful, unflinching, and full of heart, On the Come Up is an ode to hip hop from one of the most influential literary voices of a generation. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; and about how, especially for young black people, freedom of speech isn’t always free.
Don’t miss Concrete Rose, Angie Thomas’s powerful prequel to her phenomenal bestseller, The Hate U Give!
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That was a delicious read!! But the references towards the generation now was(is) annoying. Period. (that’s one of them) and Cardi B. Plenty of laughs as I enjoyed Bri’s character a lot. Some things could have been avoided, but there is no denying what she has… and that’s bars.
Angie Thomas writes stories that challenge a lot of assumptions. On The Come Up is about a high school girl growing up in the shadow of her father, a rapper who was killed when she was very young. She wants to make her own way, and brings us along on an amazing and heartfelt ride.
Such a great book! Angie Thomas is truly a phenomenal author! I loved the entire plot. There are many emotional, relatable moments. It truly feels as if you are reading an actual sixteen-year-old’s story. The character development is amazing. The entire book kept me intrigued! Highly recommend!
Angie Thomas’ highly anticipated 2nd novel, On the Come Up, is every bit as brilliant as her best-selling, award-winning 1st novel, The Hate U Give. Influenced by events in her own life, Thomas focuses on themes such as poverty, racism, family, friends, chasing your dreams, standing up for what’s right, and never giving up. Following in the footsteps of her late father, an underground rap legend, 16-year-old Bri has a big name to live up to. Battling issues at home, school, and around the neighborhood, does this aspiring rapper have what it takes to make it to the top, without losing herself in the process?
In addition to the intense and emotional storyline, Angie Thomas’ character development, use of dialogue, and real-life conflicts – both external and internal – make On the Come Up an engaging, page-turner for readers of all ages, genders, races, and backgrounds. People…the struggle is real, and Angie Thomas does an amazing job bringing this to life!! Set in Garden Heights, readers of T.H.U.G. will be immediately drawn in to the familiar surroundings. As a 20th year high school teacher of urban teens, I cannot even begin to explain how thankful I am for books like this one. Exposing my students to books with strong-minded, inspiring characters and settings that mirror their own lives, has not been an easy task over the years. If we want kids to become readers and lifelong learners, seeing a reflection of themselves, their families, and the places in which they live is a must! Without this, no connection can be made, no learning can take place, and no growth will occur. Thank you, Ms. Thomas, for recognizing this. Your writing, your characters, and the true-to-life events inspire kids everywhere and let them know they matter.
The audiobook narration by Bahni Turpin is excellent. Goosebumps!! Her performance in On the Come Up is equally outstanding to that of T.H.U.G. She masterfully gives a voice to each character and brings the text to life as the plot unfolds. And, yes, she raps!! If you have never listened to her perform as a narrator, you are missing out. She’s the real deal, a sure thing, a must-listen! Bravo!
Without hesitation, I rate On the Come Up by Angie Thomas, narrated by Bahni Turpin 5 out of 5 stars across the board. The plot is engaging, the events and characters are real, and the message is inspiring. With the utmost confidence, I recommend this novel to everyone. Yes, everyone. From those who live a life of poverty to those with a dream, On the Come Up is a book that will stick with you for the long haul as you journey through life.
Thank you for reading my review. I hope it was helpful. 🙂