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the_wistful_word_witch's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Bri's story is as powerful as Starr's in The Hate U Give, but for different reasons. They're both told from the perspective of a young Black girl on the cusp of becoming a woman, who is thrust into a world that she's not quite equipped to or adept at dealing with. But their different backgrounds lead them down different paths. These books are intimate looks into their lives, where we the readers are just guests.
As a mom, it's hard to watch Bri go through some of the things she does and not want to step in. Bri thinks she's grown, but doesn't realize just how big the consequences of her impulsive actions could and often will be. Luckily, she has her family and friends at her back.
The theme of these books is growing up and into yourself. As her momma reminds her, "you’re the only one who can say who you are with authority. So, who are you?". It's a good reminder for all of us, no matter how old you are.
Graphic: Violence, Drug use, Racism, and Drug abuse
averyrembish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Cursing, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, and Bullying
grainjordan's review
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Racism, Drug abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Abandonment, Addiction, Drug use, and Police brutality
Minor: Infidelity and Homophobia
kitaliae's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
On a personal note, it was really frustrating to have so much of Bri's fire dismissed as ODD by her brother. ODD exists, but it's not what Bri is struggling with and I wish it hadn't been included. So many black teenage girls get that label from the school system unfairly and having her brother reinforce that was really aggravating. It might have been a joke or whatever, but it comes off poorly when Bri had been nothing more than a typical teenager in her "outbursts".
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, and Police brutality
Minor: Abandonment, Bullying, Homophobia, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
urkelgrue's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Gun violence, Drug abuse, and Drug use
missmicrobe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Violence
caoimhe9876's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, and Police brutality
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Cursing
pamshenanigans's review
4.0
"That's when I learned that when people die, they sometimes take the living with them."
On the Come Up follows the story of sixteen-year-old Bri and her dream of becoming one of the greatest hip-hop stars in her own ways and words. At the same time, Bri has to deal with being the shadow of his dad - a legendary rap star who was killed years ago- and their family struggling to make ends meet while also being a victim of racial profiling and abuse of power.
The book is gripping at best and the representation is flawless. I think one of my only qualms with this book is that it kinda lacked the depth and precision that Angie usually has with her books. It's kinda hard to explain, but there are just some things that I didn't expect to happen ~THAT WAY~.
Nonetheless, it's an amazing book that dabbles on a lot of issues like racism, racial profiling, drug addiction, gun violence, and the death of a loved one.
Graphic: Gun violence and Racism
Moderate: Drug use
lilacsophie's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
gem114's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
First, I'll admit I didn't like On the Come Up as much as I liked THUG, but it's still a great read that I'd readily recommend. I think part of what made it hard for me to connect with is that I simply don't share Bri's passion for rap. I think if you're a rap fan, or even just a music buff in general, this book would be right up your alley.
Bri is a 16-year-old growing up in Garden Heights and aspiring to even greater heights for her music career. Daughter of a local rap legend who was murdered in his prime, Bri has music in her blood. She wants to pursue her passion, but her mother wants her to focus on her academics. Mom (aka Jay) is scared of Bri following in her father's footsteps, but Bri thinks the sooner she gets her career going, the sooner she can help her struggling family financially. The story takes place a few years after THUG, but Angie Thomas didn't leave issues of racial justice in the past. Bri and her friends are racially profiled and mistreated by security guards at their majority-white high school. Bri is torn between fighting stereotypes and playing into stereotypes at home, at school, and in the music world.
Although this book wasn't a full 5 stars for me, it's one I DEFINITELY plan to have in my classroom for students to borrow when we return to in-person school.
Moderate: Violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Racism
Minor: Addiction and Racial slurs