On the Come Up

On the Come Up is the sophomore novel from New York Times best selling author of The Hate U Give.  

Description:

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 hasto. 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.

My Thoughts:

This is an homage to the author's love of hip hop, but it is also a reminder that as a society, we are quick to label, name, assume about "the other." Ms. Thomas allows Bri to be sixteen, make mistakes, falter badly, and get caught up in unwise moves. Although this was frustrating at times, it made the reckoning much sweeter. 

It feels like a sophomore book in that there is not as much thought and care put into the characterization and complexity of relationships, however, this one will be scooped up by young adults interested in hip hop and urban culture.