On the Come Up

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On the Come Up
On the Come Up (Thomas novel).png
First edition cover
AuthorAngie Thomas
Audio read byBahni Turpin[1]
Cover artistAnjola Coker (art)[2]
Jenna Stempel-Lobell (lettering)[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
PublisherBalzer + Bray
Publication date
February 5, 2019
Media typePrint (hardcover)
Pages464[3]
ISBN978-0-06-249856-4
[Fic]
LC ClassPZ7.1.T448 On 2019b

On the Come Up, published on February 5, 2019 by Balzer + Bray, is a young adult novel by Angie Thomas . It tells the story of Bri, a sixteen-year old rapper hoping to fill the shoes of her father and 'make it' as an underground hip-hop legend. Overnight, Bri becomes an internet sensation after posting a rap hit which sparks controversy. As Bri defeats the odds to 'make it' she battles controversy to achieve her dreams. It is set in the same universe (Garden Heights) as Thomas' first book The Hate U Give.

Main characters[]

  • Brianna Jackson—Brianna is the daughter of Jay and Lawless and younger sister to Trey. She is also called Bri or 'Lil Law,' after her late father. She is an aspiring rap legend. In her efforts to 'make it' as a rapper, her songs sparked controversy in her community. At school, she has a reputation amongst the teachers as a hoodlum for her "aggressive" behavior.
  • Jayda "Jay" Jackson—Brianna and Trey's caring mother. After the murder of her husband, she turned to drugs and suffered from depression but later stopped for fear of losing her kids. She later loses her job and struggles to find other options but always puts her kids first.
  • Lawrence "Lawless" Jackson—Brianna and Trey's father, Jay's husband. He was an underground rap legend but was murdered before he was able to 'make it' mainstream as a rapper.
  • Trey Jackson—Brianna's older brother, Jay and Lawless's son. He is accomplished, as he received a scholarship and later achieved a degree in college. He worked at a pizza place to make ends meet for Jay and Brianna.
  • Aunt Pooh—the aunt to Brianna and Trey, as well as the younger sister to Jay. Aunt Pooh is notoriously known as a drug dealer but maintains a close relationship with Brianna.
  • Sonny—loyal, and old friend to Brianna. He supports her regardless, even through the controversy Brianna has suffered.
  • Malik—Brianna's crush, and also a close friend. He is loyal to Brianna, but later dates another girl.


Secondary characters[]

  • Kayla—Trey's girlfriend. She works at the pizza place with him, as well is known as a rapping queen.
  • Curtis—Brianna's boyfriend. He's sweet and respects Bri.
  • Milez—the son of Supreme. Sonny's crush. Has his own following as a second-rate rapper. Lives in the suburbs instead of the projects.
  • Supreme—Supreme was Lawless's old advisor. He later convinces Brianna to take him on.
  • Grandma and Granddaddy—the paternal grandparents of Brianna, who took care of her and Trey when Jay was recovering from addiction.
  • Jojo—young follower of Brianna, hopes to be a rapper.
  • Scrap—Aunt Pooh's friend.
  • Shana—Malik's girlfriend.
  • Lena—Aunt Pooh's girlfriend.

Reception[]

The book was well reviewed by The New York Times,[4] Vox,[5] and The Washington Post.[6]

The American Library Association named the book one of the best released for young adults in 2020.[7]

Awards[]

On the Come Up received several accolades:

Film adaptation[]

On February 4, 2019, Fox 2000 Pictures acquired the rights to adapt the novel with George Tillman Jr. directing and producing with Robert Teitel, and Jay Marcus from State Street Pictures, alongside Thomas Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner and John Fischer of Temple Hill Entertainment.[12] On December 11, 2019, after Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox and closing of Fox 2000, Paramount Players acquired the film adaptation with Kay Oyegun hired to write the script and Tillman Jr. still attached to direct.[13] On October 19, 2020, Wanuri Kahiu replaced Tillman Jr. as director of the film.[14] On June 10, 2021, it was announced that Sanaa Lathan would make her directional debut with the film, replacing Kahiu.[15]

References[]

  1. ^ "On the Come Up - Angie Thomas - Digital Audiobook". HarperCollins Publishers. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  2. ^ "On the Come Up by Angie Thomas". HarperCollins Publishers. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  3. ^ Valby, Karen (2019-02-05). "In Angie Thomas's 'On the Come Up,' a Young Rapper Finds Her Way". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  4. ^ Grady, Constance (2019-02-05). "Angie Thomas follows up The Hate U Give with On the Come Up, a warm and witty ode to hip-hop". Vox. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  5. ^ Browne, Mahogany L. (2019-02-01). "Angie Thomas follows up 'The Hate U Give' with the story of an aspiring hip-hop star". Washington Post.
  6. ^ American Library Association (2020-02-05). "2020 Top Ten Best Fiction". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  7. ^ American Library Association (2020-02-05). "2020 Top Ten Best Fiction". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  8. ^ a b c d "On the Come Up". Goodreads. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  9. ^ "On the Come Up | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  10. ^ Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) (2020-01-06). "2020 Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  11. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (February 4, 2019). "Fox To Adapt 'The Hate U Give' Author Angie Thomas' Next Book 'On The Come Up'; George Tillman Jr. Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  12. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (December 11, 2019). "'This Is Us' Producer Kay Oyegun To Adapt Angie Thomas' Book 'On the Come Up' For Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  13. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 19, 2020). "'On The Come Up': Wanuri Kahiu Set To Direct Feature Based On 'The Hate U Give' Author Angie Thomas' Book". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  14. ^ D’Alessandro, Anthony (June 10, 2021). "Sanaa Lathan To Make Feature Directorial Debut With Paramount Players' 'On The Come Up'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
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