On the Come Up

• Genre: Fiction; young adult contemporary
• Originally Published: 2019
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile HL550L, grades 9-12
• Structure/Length: 3 parts, 34 chapters, epilogue; approximately 435 pages; approximately 11 hours, 43 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: In On the Come Up, Brianna “Bri” Jackson is a 16-year-old aspiring rapper from Garden Heights, a neighborhood facing economic challenges. Bri’s dream is to become a successful rapper and contribute financially to her family, but she faces numerous obstacles, including stereotypes, discrimination, and her own inner struggles. The novel explores identity, artistic expression, family, and the pursuit of one’s passion.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Racial discrimination; socioeconomic challenges; gang violence; threat of gun violence; discussion of addiction; murder of parent (backstory); assault; abuse; abandonment; profanity; use of the “n” word

Angie Thomas, Author

• Bio: American author known for her contributions to young adult literature; celebrated for her debut novel, The Hate U Give, and its impactful adaptation into a film
• Other Works: The Hate U Give (2017); Concrete Rose (2021)
• Awards: ALA Top 10 Best Fiction for Young Adults (2020); Carnegie Medal Nominee (2020)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Racism Within Schools and Communities
• Finding One’s Own Voice
• The Effects of Poverty
• The Power of Words

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will: