On The Come Up by Angie Thomas

Marissa | Holmdel High School, Grade 10

Rating: *****

In On The Come Up by Angie Thomas, 16 year old Bri is an aspiring rapper who is trying to immerse herself into the industry. However, her dream is deemed impossible as she lives a very poor lifestyle, with her mother recently losing her job and struggling to pay the bills. Bri’s father was an up and coming rapper who tragically passed, and Bri feels pressured to take his place and help support her family’s expenses. When one of her rhymes blows up, it sparks quite a lot of controversy amongst her community. Throughout the story, Bri has to navigate her way through life as she gains popularity, faces scandals, and tries to keep to her roots.

This was an extremely moving novel and a must-read. Thomas creates a well-developed storyline while also dealing with important and relevant topics like the harsh reality of social class and working African American families. Bri’s dedication and passion for her craft of rapping was truly inspiring and admirable to me as a reader. The story teaches you to keep pushing and working hard for your dreams even when the odds are stacked against you, and to stay true to yourself no matter what.