Angie Thomas's newest young adult novel On the Come Up tells the coming-of-age story of Bri Jackson, a teenager rapper. After her father is murdered, and while her mother struggles with a longtime drug addiction, Bri struggles to discover who she is despite her complex familial dynamics. Through singing and lyric writing, Bri attempts to process the increasing number of conflicts and injustices life creates for her. The novel explores themes of self-discovery, the importance of family and friends, and the ways in which the individual might use art to confront inequality.
