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On the Come Up Collector's Edition — Content Guide for Parents

By Angie ThomasHarperCollins Publishers2020ISBN 9780062999344512 pages
On the Come Up Collector's Edition

Themes present

Violence
Racial/cultural content
Profanity
Sexual identity
Gender roles
LGBTQ+ themes

Not found

Scary contentReligious themesClimate change

Content themes

Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

This collector's edition of the acclaimed, bestselling novel contains a letter from the author, deleted scenes, a picture of the author as a teen rapper, an annotated playlist, Angie's top 5 MCs, an annotated rap, illustrated quotes from the book, and an excerpt from Angie's next novel.

#1 New York Times bestseller · Seven starred reviews · Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book

"For all the struggle in this book, Thomas rarely misses a step as a writer. Thomas continues to hold up that mirror with grace and confidence. We are lucky to have her, and lucky to know a girl like Bri."--The New York Times Book Review

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least win her first battle. As the daughter of an underground hip hop legend who died right before he hit big, Bri's got massive shoes to fill.

But it's hard to get your come up when you're labeled a hoodlum at school, and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. So Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral . . . for all the wrong reasons.

Bri soon finds herself at the center of a controversy, portrayed by the media as more menace than MC. But with an eviction notice staring her family down, Bri doesn't just want to make it--she has to. Even if it means becoming the very thing the public has made her out to be.

Insightful, unflinching, and full of heart, On the Come Up is an ode to hip hop from one of the most influential literary voices of a generation. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; and about how, especially for young black people, freedom of speech isn't always free.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is On the Come Up Collector's Edition appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The narrative includes references to Bri's father being murdered by a gang member and mentions of gun violence, indicating a moderate level of violence present in the story. No scary content detected in the search results.

  • Does On the Come Up Collector's Edition have violence?

    The narrative includes references to Bri's father being murdered by a gang member and mentions of gun violence, indicating a moderate level of violence present in the story.

  • Does On the Come Up Collector's Edition have scary content?

    No scary content detected in the search results.

  • Does On the Come Up Collector's Edition have religious themes?

    No religious themes or content detected in the search results.

  • Does On the Come Up Collector's Edition have racial/cultural content?

    The book addresses themes of racism, poverty, and police brutality against Black individuals. It portrays the struggles faced by the characters in a racially charged environment, highlighting systemic racism.

  • Does On the Come Up Collector's Edition have profanity?

    The book contains conversational swearing, including terms like 's--t,' 'f--k,' and 'bitch,' which may be present throughout the dialogue of characters.

  • Does On the Come Up Collector's Edition have climate change?

    No climate themes or content detected in the search results.

  • Does On the Come Up Collector's Edition have sexual identity?

    The book includes references to teen relationships, with mentions of kisses and a mother involved in sex work. There are also discussions about sexual themes in the context of rap battles, indicating some age-appropriate sexual content.

  • Does On the Come Up Collector's Edition have gender roles?

    The narrative includes discussions about gender dynamics, particularly in the context of rap culture, where female characters engage in battles that involve comments on physical appearance, reflecting traditional gender expectations.

  • Does On the Come Up Collector's Edition have lgbtq+ themes?

    The book features both gay male characters and lesbians, indicating a representation of LGBTQ+ identities. This inclusion is noted as part of the broader narrative that explores various aspects of the LGBTQ+ experience.