On the Come Up

by

Angie Thomas

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on On the Come Up makes teaching easy.

Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"

Bri's song, "On the Come Up," is representative of a variety of things over the course of the novel. It first emerges as a symbol for Bri's youth and her need for mentorship and…

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Timbs

Timbs—Timberland brand work boots, which are often worn by New York-based hip-hop artists—are an item that Bri desperately wants to own. The way Bri feels about Timbs mirrors the way that she feels about the…

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Lawless's Chain

When Bri receives her dad's chain for Christmas, she learns that it was the first thing Lawless purchased when he got paid for his music. She sees it as a symbol of her dad himself…

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"Swagerific"

Bri initially sees Milez's song "Swagerific" as an annoying encapsulation of the privilege afforded to some artists in the music industry: because of Milez's manager (and father), Supreme, he's able to come out…

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