On the Come Up tackles serious social issues including poverty, racial injustice, and freedom of speech through the lens of a teenage girl pursuing rap. The novel is emotionally mature and contains some profanity and references to violence and substance use that reflect the realistic world depicted, but these elements serve the story rather than define it. Angie Thomas creates a protagonist and supporting cast who model resilience, integrity, and empathy in the face of systemic obstacles.
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.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.
