ParentsPick

On the Come Up: Library Edition — Content Guide for Parents

By Angie ThomasHarperaudioISBN 9781509475506
On the Come Up: Library Edition

Themes present

Violence
Racial/cultural content
Profanity
Sexual identity
LGBTQ+ themes

Not found

Scary contentReligious themesClimate changeGender roles

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

The highly anticipated second novel by Angie Thomas, the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning THE HATE U GIVE, is about a teen girl whose dreams of a career in rap music turn into a desperate necessity when her family home burns down. This is “Empire” for teens.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is On the Come Up: Library Edition appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The book contains several instances of violence, including a character being slammed to the ground by security guards, characters held at gunpoint, and mentions of gang rivalries. Additionally, the protagonist's song lyrics are perceived as potentially inciting violence among peers. No genuinely frightening content is present in the book. While there are themes of violence and struggle, they do not constitute scary content that would cause fear or distress.

  • Does On the Come Up: Library Edition have violence?

    The book contains several instances of violence, including a character being slammed to the ground by security guards, characters held at gunpoint, and mentions of gang rivalries. Additionally, the protagonist's song lyrics are perceived as potentially inciting violence among peers.

  • Does On the Come Up: Library Edition have scary content?

    No genuinely frightening content is present in the book. While there are themes of violence and struggle, they do not constitute scary content that would cause fear or distress.

  • Does On the Come Up: Library Edition have religious themes?

    No religious content in the book itself. While themes of family and friendship are highlighted, there are no explicit religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies mentioned in the narrative.

  • Does On the Come Up: Library Edition have racial/cultural content?

    The book addresses themes of race and identity, particularly through the experiences of the protagonist, Bri, in a racially charged environment. It explores issues of racial profiling and systemic violence affecting Black communities.

  • Does On the Come Up: Library Edition have profanity?

    The book contains conversational swearing by both adults and teens, including words like 's--t', 'f--k', and others. This reflects the language commonly used by the characters in their environment.

  • Does On the Come Up: Library Edition have climate change?

    No climate themes or environmental issues are present in the book. The narrative focuses on personal and social challenges rather than ecological concerns.

  • Does On the Come Up: Library Edition have sexual identity?

    The narrative includes references to a mother doing sex work and mentions of teen relationships, including kissing. However, the explicitness of sexual content is not detailed in the search results.

  • Does On the Come Up: Library Edition have gender roles?

    While the book features strong female characters and discusses themes of empowerment, it does not actively critique or promote specific gender roles. The focus is more on personal growth and resilience rather than gender dynamics.

  • Does On the Come Up: Library Edition have lgbtq+ themes?

    The book includes gay characters, such as Sonny, who is portrayed as a fully rounded character navigating challenges in a hyper-masculinized community. The narrative addresses LGBTQ+ acceptance and the experiences of these characters within the story.