ARC, 449 pages
Release Date: February 5, 2019Published by: Scholastic Press
Read from: January 30-February 4, 2019Stand-aloneSource: NCTE & Publisher (I received a copy of this book from the Publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)TW: Police BrutalityFor fans of: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, POC Characters, Own Voices, Music, DEAR, Diverse Authors, Strong Family Relationships, Friendship Goals, YASixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of her neighborhood one day. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he hit big, Bri’s got big shoes to fill. But now that her mom has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are as much a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.
On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families.
*MY THOUGHTS*
If you were expecting Angie Thomas to have “sophomore syndrome,” you are sadly mistaken. On the Come Up is another hit! Bri’s story wasn’t an easy one to read, but definitely one I could relate to. This book shows the dedication, commitment, and just everything that both Bri and Angie embody.
“Ms. Tique is around Trey’s age, but she spits like an old soul, as if she’s lived a couple of lifetimes and didn’t like either of them shits. She’s goals to the highest degree..“pg. 26
Bri and her family are going through so much. Bills are piling up, there’s hardly any food, and it seems like its one thing after another. Since her father was killed before he made it, Bri is determined to become the next rap legend that her father never could. And with all the money problems her family is facing, it doesn’t look like she has much of a choice.
“That’s when I learned that when people die, they sometimes take the living with them.“pg. 45
Just like with Thomas’ first novel, the thing I loved most about this book was the family and friend relationships. They felt so real and so special. It was so weird that I related to them so much. It was such a real life look at Black families and the realness that they go through but how strong they have to remain to ensure their family stayed afloat. Thank you Angie Thomas for sharing this story with us.
“Goddamn,” I hiss under my breath. “Killing my vibe, first thing in the morning.” “You ain’t GOT no vibe.” she hollers from the hall.“pg. 47
The ONLY issue I had was the plot. It kind of slowed a bit in the middle, but it picks right back up. To be honest, I don’t think it’s ever really an issue about the plot, it’s just that she seems to be setting the tone for Bri’s family and how desperate she was to find a way to help. Like she made a bit of the story about other things to make sure the reader knew that times were really dire.
“…it’s one thing to wanna do something. It’s another to think its possible.“pg. 50
As for what the book is about, its definitely something that is relevant and moving and SO. REAL. I can’t wait for all teens and adults alike to read this and get to see what its like to be on the other side of a situation like Bri’s. The racial profiling is unfortunately common and I hope that everyone can see how these things affect teens and how they can help them fight these injustices.
“…in the Garden, we make our own heroes.“pg. 88
And last but not least, the hip hop part of this story. Which is undoubtdly the best part. I LOVED reading some of Angie’s raps. I was so glad we got to see some of her raps in the book. And seeing the clips of it being performed on Instagram live was such a treat! I loved everything about this ode to hip-hop and I really hope the greats that are still alive to cherish it pick it up! (And I mean those with a record deal and those that battle rap….)
“ADmitting that you’re weak is one of the strongest things you can do.“pg. 362
Overall, I LOVED Bri and her story and it took A LOT for me to keep tearing myself away from her story. I hope this emotional story gets even more love than her first book, because it deserves all that and then some. And let’s be honest, anything that is an ode to hip hop should own your heart without even having read a line….
Overall, I give this
this sounds like a pretty good book. I still haven't read her other book. I know bad right. I need to read it really soon here. SO many books so little time. I think this one sounds so good. I love that the books are real and raw. I am not a big contemporary reader because I feel its hard to find the real ones. I am glad this one was exactly that.
I saw some insta stories of Angie rapping and wow, I can't wait to read Bri's story!