On The Come Up
📘 About This Book
Jeder hat ein Recht auf Redefreiheit – aber nicht jeder wird gehört... Die 16-jährige Bri wünscht sich nichts sehnlicher, als eine berühmte Rapperin zu werden. Als Tochter einer Rap-Legende ist das nicht leicht: Ihr Vater starb, kurz bevor er den großen Durchbruch schaffte, und Bri tritt in riesengroße Fußstapfen. Dann verliert ihre Mutter ihren Job. Plötzlich gehören Essensausgaben, Zahlungsaufforderungen und Kündigungen ebenso zu Bris Alltag wie Reime und Beats. Als sich die unbezahlten Rechnungen stapeln und ihre Familie kurz davor ist, ihre Bleibe zu verlieren, wird klar: Eine berühmte Rapperin zu werden, ist für Bri nicht länger nur ein Wunsch, sondern ein Muss ... Angie Thomas bei cbj & cbt: The Hate U Give On The Come Up Concrete Rose Alle Bücher können unabhängig voneinander gelesen werden.
📖 Summary
Angie Thomas returns to the vibrant and complex world of Garden Heights in her 2019 young adult novel, On The Come Up, spanning 434 pages of raw emotion, ambition, and societal critique. The story centers on sixteen-year-old Bri, a fiercely talented aspiring rapper who carries the heavy legacy of her late father, a local rap legend whose life was cut short just before he achieved mainstream success. For Bri, rhyming and crafting beats are not merely creative outlets; they are her deepest passions and her primary means of processing the world around her. However, her dreams of following in her father's footsteps and becoming a famous rapper are soon thrust into a much more urgent light by harsh economic realities. When Bri's mother loses her job, the family's fragile stability shatters almost overnight. Suddenly, the daily rhythm of Bri's life shifts drastically, becoming defined not just by verses and rhythmic flows, but by empty cupboards, escalating utility bills, unyielding payment notices, and the terrifying specter of eviction. As the unpaid bills stack up and the threat of losing their home looms closer every single day, the pursuit of a music career transforms from a teenage aspiration into an absolute necessity. Bri realizes that she must find a way to break through the industry and make her voice heard, not only to honor her father's memory and validate her own artistic identity, but to put food on the table and keep a roof over her family's heads. The novel delves deeply into the theme of freedom of expression, exploring the stark reality that while everyone theoretically has the right to free speech, society does not always listen equally to everyone, especially young Black artists trying to navigate marginalized spaces and preconceived notions. Bri's journey forces her to confront institutional barriers, the pressures of authenticity, and the ways in which the media and authority figures mischaracterize struggling youth. As she pours her frustrations, fears, and raw talent into her music, she generates buzz and controversy alike, learning quickly that stepping into the spotlight comes with a heavy price. On The Come Up is a compelling and deeply human exploration of grit, family loyalty, economic hardship, and the relentless drive required to rise above difficult circumstances when the odds are stacked overwhelmingly against you.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Compelling and relatable protagonist with a distinct narrative voice
Tackles timely and important social themes with nuance and authenticity
Fast-paced plot driven by high-stakes personal and economic conflict
Richly developed supporting cast and family dynamics
⚠️ Cons
Some secondary conflicts can feel rushed given the heavy central plot
Heavy themes of poverty and systemic struggle may be intense for some readers
✍️ About the Author
Angie Thomas (b. 1988) is an American author best known for 'The Hate U Give', a bestselling young adult novel addressing police violence and racial injustice.
View all books →❓ FAQ
Who is the author of On The Come Up? +
The book was written by Angie Thomas and published in 2019.
How many pages long is the novel? +
The book spans 434 pages.
What is the main character's primary aspiration? +
Sixteen-year-old Bri dreams of becoming a famous rapper, much like her late father.
Why does Bri's music career become an urgent necessity? +
After her mother loses her job, the family faces mounting bills and the threat of eviction, turning Bri's dream into a financial lifeline.
What central thematic question does the book explore regarding speech? +
The novel examines how everyone has a right to free speech, but not everyone is actually heard or taken seriously by society.
