I am writing this review super late after reading (and discussing it in book club!), but better late than never right? This last few months has been a trip while trying to navigate my mental health management, so stay tuned for more “catchup” reviews coming soon!
Title: On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Genre: General Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Format read: e-book
Bought or borrowed? Borrowed from the library, on Hoopla
Motivation: This is a Book Babes read — my pick for February, and our first pick of 2021!
Content warnings: Gang violence, swearing, racialized violence, police violence, violence against children/minors
Summary
Bri, a young Black high school student, has big dreams to become a star rapper. Following in her late father’s underground rap-career footsteps, she spends her spare moments and more boring classes working on her rhymes, rhythm, and flow. When she is harassed at school by authorities, she writes and records her first single to process her anger, and it goes viral — but not in the way she wanted it to. At once trying to outrun stereotypes and shoot for the stardom that she craves to help her struggling family, Bri and her friends learn first-hand how the freedom of speech lent to those without privilege is perhaps not so free after all.
Thoughts, Feelings
Thomas has a true way with words, and this follow up The Hate U Give was absolutely stunning. I love that she has set the story in the same version of the US city as her original book; it fleshes out the neighbourhood and adds texture to both stories as linked, independent strong stand-alone reads. (This is also something in another author’s work that I’m currently reading which I’m excited to share soon, too!)
Like her first book, Angie Thomas tackles racism, stereotyping, and coming of age in one smoothly told story. She is a craftswoman, creating a lovable, scrappy Bri. A favourite detail of my club was getting a peek into Bri’s rap-writing process, and getting to read her rhymes in “real time” as part of the story. Something I found myself relating to quite deeply was descriptions of Bri’s family’s financial situation — having periods of time without power; the pride of my parents making it difficult to accept help; dreams of catching a break to help relieve the stress of providing. It made Bri especially easy for me to empathize with and admire, even as she stumbled through her decisions.
Light spoilers ahead.
What I loved especially about this read is how Bri is a foil for Starr, from Hate; rather than getting right into the thick of the news, Bri’s response to being brutalized by police, she shies away from being a poster-child for activism, instead. The important thing about this difference between the two characters is that neither girl’s choice is presented as better than the other in any way. Bri would rather make herself a name through her rapping, and she puts in the work to do it on her own terms.
This book is, like its precedent, another great site for conversation about how Black and brown children are treated unjustly by their schools and other societal authorities. It also covers topics like what to do when you crush on your best friend, taking stands against injustice in community, and has a beautiful, happy ending. A pleasant and edu-taining read, for sure!
I think it was slated to be adapted for a film, similar again to The Hate U Give, and I think especially considering the rap battles and other theatrical scenes in the novel, it stands to be easily made into a great screenplay!
Ramble, Reader! 