Read of the Week

On the Come Up

Angie Thomas

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Review: Marsha Leitch

This young adult novel by Angie Thomas tells the story of Brianna, also known as Bri, a 16-year-old rapper hoping to make it big in the hip-hop underground.

She wants to follow in the footsteps of her rapper father, Lawless.

Bri becomes an overnight sensation after a song she posts goes viral, but it sparks controversy. However, she never gives up fighting to achieve her dreams. Her family are also depending on her success to survive.

This book is surprisingly humorous and reminds us about the importance of family and friendship.

I loved the way Angie Thomas expressed her rapping through Bri. It had me rapping along, thinking how it would sound in real life and the author did also make some YouTube videos rapping to some of the lyrics in the book a capella. You will get lost in this story and feel as though you are with the characters.

The book is a must-read for teens as it is empowering and addresses real world issues such as overcoming poverty.

Thomas also wrote The Hate U Give, which has been made into a movie. Perhaps this book will be adapted too.