On the Come Up
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.png) First edition cover | |
| Author | Angie Thomas |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Bahni Turpin[1] |
| Cover artist | Anjola Coker (art)[2] Jenna Stempel-Lobell (lettering)[2] |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Balzer + Bray |
Publication date | February 5, 2019 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 464[3] |
| ISBN | 978-0-06-249856-4 |
| [Fic] | |
| LC Class | PZ7.1.T448 On 2019b |
On the Come Up, published on February 5, 2019, by Balzer + Bray, is a young adult novel by Angie Thomas. It tells the story of Bri, a sixteen-year old rapper hoping to fill the shoes of her father and "make it" as an underground hip-hop legend. Overnight, Bri becomes an internet sensation after posting a rap hit which sparks controversy. As Bri defeats the odds to achieve success, she battles controversy to reach her dreams. It is set in the same universe (Garden Heights) as Thomas' first book The Hate U Give.
- Brianna Jackson—Brianna is the daughter of Jay and Lawless and younger sister to Trey. She is also called Bri or 'Lil Law,' after her late father. She is an aspiring rap legend. In her efforts to achieve success as a rapper, her songs sparked controversy in her community. At school, she has a reputation amongst the teachers as a hoodlum for her "aggressive" behavior.
- Jayda "Jay" Jackson—Brianna and Trey's caring mother. After the murder of her husband, she turned to drugs and suffered from depression but later stopped for fear of losing her kids. She later loses her job and struggles to find other options but always puts her kids first.
- Lawrence "Lawless" Jackson—Brianna and Trey's father, Jay's husband. He was an underground rap legend but was murdered before he was able to "make it big" mainstream as a rapper.
- Trey Jackson—Brianna's older brother, Jay and Lawless's son. He is accomplished, as he received a scholarship and later achieved a degree in college. He worked at a pizza place to make ends meet for Jay and Brianna.
- Aunt Pooh—the aunt to Brianna and Trey, as well as the younger sister to Jay. Aunt Pooh is notoriously known as a drug dealer but maintains a close relationship with Brianna.
- Sonny—loyal, and old friend to Brianna. He supports her regardless, even through the controversy Brianna has suffered.
- Malik—Brianna's crush, and also a close friend. He is loyal to Brianna, but later dates another girl.
Secondary characters
- Kayla—Trey's girlfriend. She works at the pizza place with him, and is known as a rapping queen as well.
- Curtis—Brianna's boyfriend. He's sweet and respects Bri.
- Milez—the son of Supreme. Sonny's crush. Has his own following as a second-rate rapper. Lives in the suburbs instead of the projects.
- Supreme—Supreme was Lawless's old advisor. He later convinces Brianna to take him on.
- Grandma and Granddaddy—the paternal grandparents of Brianna, who took care of her and Trey when Jay was recovering from addiction.
- Jojo—young follower of Brianna, hopes to be a rapper.
- Scrap—Aunt Pooh's friend.
- Shana—Malik's girlfriend.
- Lena—Aunt Pooh's girlfriend.
Reception
On the Come Up was well received by critics, including starred reviews from Booklist[4] and Kirkus Reviews.[5]
Kirkus noted that "a joyous experience awaits" potential readers and urged them to "Read it. Learn it. Love it."[5] Booklist said it was "just as explosive" as Thomas's debut novel, The Hate U Give, noting that she "gives readers another dynamic protagonist to root for."[4]
It also received positive reviews from The New York Times,[6] Vox,[7] and The Washington Post.[8]
