WELL-READ HOMESTEAD

Review: On the Come Up

by Angie Thomas

4 / 5 stars

 

When I said I was reading this book, a friend of mine asked if it was like The Hate U Give. My initial response was no. 

 

But it sort of is. 

 

It just sort of isn’t, too.

 

In On the Come Up, a girl named Bri wants to be a rapper, but she has to overcome a slew of obstacles first: her family’s poverty, everyone else’s expectations (especially since her dad, who was murdered, was also a rapper), stereotypes. She bounces between thinking she’s doing what she needs to do and realizing that she’s fulfilling all the negative stereotypes other people have about Black kids like her. 

 

So it’s similar to The Hate U Give because it deals with stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding race. It does an excellent job of showing the Black perspective, (which is so powerful in opening up a dialogue about racial issues). It’s even set in the same neighborhood, with the same gangs. 

 

But it still feels … different. More raw. More dangerous. More mature. 

 

Full disclosure: it’s been a while since I read The Hate U Give, so maybe I’m wrong, but that text just felt like it was for a younger crowd, with more focus on kids and what they can do collectively to combat racism. On the Come Up, however, feels like it’s aimed toward a slightly older, more grown-up reader. 

 

And it’s not just because of f-words and mentions of drugs. 

 

It’s full of real, raw pain. 

 

Realistic, likely situations. 

 

Danger. 

 

And ultimately, Bri is incredibly relatable. She’s outwardly strong but truly vulnerable. She makes a conscious effort to hide her weaknesses--or what she perceives as weaknesses. She’s surrounded by trouble but headstrong enough to follow her dreams regardless. 

 

She’s admirable. 

 

That doesn’t mean Bri won’t frustrate you, though. She probably will. She’s hotheaded and consistently makes decisions that end up hurting her in the long run. 

 

I suppose, though, that the fact that I feel that frustration means that Thomas built a strong character, right? Made me feel something?

 

My favorite part of this book is the way that Thomas wove her own lyrical talents into the story. Bri participates in rap battles, writes her own songs, and has frequent thoughts about words that rhyme or flow together. I especially loved that Thomas used dialogue as an opportunity to define “internal rhyme.” How cool is it that kids who read this book get an eye-opening lesson on racial prejudice AND a lesson on poetry?

 

Easy read. 

Important message. 

Valuable perspective.