On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Hi, I am Advik. I love to read, write, bike, swim, and watch TV.
On the Come Up is an emotional, powerful, and inspiring book that dives into identity, racism, and, most importantly, chasing your dreams. I picked up this book thinking it would just be a typical coming-of-age, chasing-your-dreams novel. But I was pleasantly surprised. This book felt raw and honest, and the protagonist, Bri, was easy to relate to. She was fierce, outgoing, and flawed in her own ways, and honestly, watching her mature and grow into a young woman was one of the most engaging parts of this book.
At the beginning of the book, Bri is struggling to become a rapper, not just for herself, but also for her struggling family. After an enemy gang shot Bri’s legendary rapper of a father, her mom is trying to stay sober so she can keep her family afloat. After Bri’s aunt encourages her to write a song and pursue her dreams, Bri’s song goes viral for all the wrong reasons. Bri also battles her emotions towards her friends and the world. Throughout the whole book, Bri feels divided between the fake persona that the industry wants to force on her and the authenticity that has brought her this far.
Overall, I thought On the Come Up was an amazing, engaging book that is thought-provoking and addresses real-life issues such as racism, poverty, prejudice, and freedom of expression. I would highly recommend this book to individuals who appreciate honest writing and enjoy realistic stories with strong characters.
