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On the Come Up

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On the Come Up
First edition cover
AuthorAngie Thomas
Audio read byBahni Turpin[1]
Cover artistAnjola Coker (art)[2]
Jenna Stempel-Lobell (lettering)[2]
LanguageEnglish
PublisherBalzer + Bray
Publication date
February 5, 2019
Publication placeUnited States
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

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  • 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

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  • Kayla—Trey's girlfriend. She works at the pizza place with him, and is known as a rapping queen as well.
  • 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

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On the Come Up was well received by critics, including starred reviews from Booklist[4] and Kirkus Reviews.[5] According to Book Marks, the book received "rave" reviews based on twelve critic reviews with seven being "rave" and five being "positive".[6] In Books in the Media, a site that aggregates critic reviews of books, the book received a (4.70 out of 5) from the site which was based on five critic reviews.[7] On Bookmarks September/October 2019 issue, a magazine that aggregates critic reviews of books, the book received a (4.0 out of 5) based on critic reviews with a critical summary saying, "On the Come Up, critics conclude, will likely “assure Tomas’s continued and well-deserved dominance on the best-seller lists” (Vox)".[8]

Kirkus noted that "a joyous experience awaits" potential readers and urged them to "Read it. Learn it. Love it."[5] Booklist said it was "just as explosive" as Thomas's debut novel, The Hate U Give, noting that she "gives readers another dynamic protagonist to root for."[4]

It also received positive reviews from The New York Times,[9] Vox,[10] and The Washington Post.[11]

Awards and honors

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On the Come Up was a New York Times bestseller.[5] The Horn Book Magazine[12] and Kirkus Reviews[5] named it one of the best young adult novels of 2019. Booklist included it on their 2019 "Top 10 Arts Books for Youth" list.[13]

Both the book and audiobook editions of On the Come Up are Junior Library Guild selections.[14][15]

Awards for On the Come Up
Year Award Result Ref.
2019 Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth Selection [16]
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction & Poetry Finalist [17]
Cybils Award for Young Adult Fiction Finalist [18]
Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction Nominee [19]
Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature Finalist [5]
2020 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Top 10 [20]
Amelia Bloomer Book List Selection [21]
Audie Award for Young Adult Title Finalist [22]
ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top 10 [23][24]
Carnegie Medal for Young Adult Fiction Shortlist [25]

Film adaptation

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Main article: On the Come Up (film)

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.[26] 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.[27] On October 19, 2020, Wanuri Kahiu replaced Tillman Jr. as director of the film.[28] On June 10, 2021, it was announced that Sanaa Lathan would make her directorial debut with the film, replacing Kahiu.[29]

The film premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.[30] It was released on September 23, 2022, both in limited theaters and on the streaming service Paramount+.[31]

References

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  1. ^ "On the Come Up - Angie Thomas - Digital Audiobook". HarperCollins Publishers. Archived from the original on October 16, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  2. ^ "On the Come Up by Angie Thomas". HarperCollins Publishers. Archived from the original on October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Davenport, Enishia (2019-02-01). "On the Come Up". Booklist. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  4. ^ a b c d e "On the Come Up". Kirkus Reviews. 2018-12-22. Archived from the original on 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  5. ^ "On the Come Up". Book Marks. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  6. ^ "On the Come Up Reviews". Books in the Media. Archived from the original on 28 Oct 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  7. ^ "On the Come Up" (PDF). Bookmarks. p. 20. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  8. ^ 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. Archived from the original on 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  9. ^ 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. Archived from the original on 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  10. ^ 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. Archived from the original on 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  11. ^ "Horn Book Fanfare 1938 to present". The Horn Book. Archived from the original on 2021-10-30. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  12. ^ Hunter, Sarah (2019-10-15). "Top 10 Arts Books for Youth: 2019". Booklist. Archived from the original on 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  13. ^ "On the Come Up by Angie Thomas". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  14. ^ "On the Come Up (Audiobook) by Angie Thomas". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  15. ^ "Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2019". Booklist. 2020-01-01. Archived from the original on 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  16. ^ "Past Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners". The Horn Book. 2022-01-10. Archived from the original on 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  17. ^ "2019 Cybils Finalists". Children's and Young Adult Book Lover's Literary Awards. Archived from the original on 2022-11-05. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  18. ^ "On the Come Up". Goodreads. Archived from the original on 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  19. ^ "2020 Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). American Library Association. 2020-01-06. Archived from the original on 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  20. ^ "On the Come Up | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  21. ^ "2020 Audie Awards". Audio Publishers Association. Archived from the original on 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  22. ^ "2020 Top Ten Best Fiction". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). American Library Association. 2020-02-05. Archived from the original on 2020-05-01. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  23. ^ "Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2020". Booklist. 2020-03-15. Archived from the original on 2023-01-23. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  24. ^ "Shortlists for 2018 CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals Announced". The Yoto Carnegies. 2018-03-15. Archived from the original on 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  25. ^ 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. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  26. ^ 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. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  27. ^ 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. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  28. ^ D’Alessandro, Anthony (June 10, 2021). "Sanaa Lathan To Make Feature Directorial Debut With Paramount Players' 'On The Come Up'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  29. ^ "‘Succession’ actress Sanaa Lathan’s ‘On The Come Up’ to debut at TIFF" Archived 2022-09-22 at the Wayback Machine. Toronto Star, July 13, 2022.
  30. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 12, 2022). "'On The Come Up': Paramount Sets Theatrical Day & Date With Pic's Streaming Debut After TIFF Premiere – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
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