Dickens & Rumi
Cover of ON THE COME UP

book

ON THE COME UP

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Angie Thomas

Is ON THE COME UP appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Bri strives to become a hip-hop star despite numerous obstacles. (Ages 14 to 17)

Ages 14+Book 2 · The Hate U GiveSource checked

Why this age? YA themes include a parent’s murder, addiction and drug dealing, grief, poverty, racism, criminal activity, strong language, and emotionally intense conflict; romance and sexual content are limited. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceAges 14+
Strongest cautionsAlcohol or drugs 3/5 · Death of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 4/5
Series positionBook 2 · The Hate U Give
Recommendation4/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: alcohol or drugs.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

YA themes include a parent’s murder, addiction and drug dealing, grief, poverty, racism, criminal activity, strong language, and emotionally intense conflict; romance and sexual content are limited. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: alcohol or drugs.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 14+Main watch-out: Alcohol or drugs 3/5
Recommendation 4/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
18Scored categories
18Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 3, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth18 scored categories18 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • Alcohol or drugs3/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Diverse representation4/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

  1. CONCRETE ROSEAges 14+
    Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Strong language3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 1 · THE HATE U GIVEAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Strong language4/5Violence4/5Frightening scenes3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 2 · ON THE COME UPAges 14+
    Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Strong language3/5Violence3/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

Lower cautionsTry something gentlerLIGHTLARK SAGAOpen review →Similar fitCompare another titleTHE WAY I USED TO BECompare →Keep browsingSearch for another bookUse age, interests, vibe, or content preferences.Search →

Similar, with lighter cautions

Want something gentler?

These reviewed titles have overlapping age guidance and a lower total caution score than ON THE COME UP. Open each review for the details.

LIGHTLARK SAGAAlex AsterAges 14+5 points lighter on published cautionsBOOKThe SingingAlison Croggon · 2008Ages 13+4 points lighter on published cautionsHADESAlexandra AdornettoAges 14+3 points lighter on published cautionsHALOAlexandra AdornettoAges 13+3 points lighter on published cautions

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

General brand references for context; no aggressive product promotion.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Bri’s father was murdered before the story begins, and his death shapes her identity, family history, grief, and ambitions.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

References to past shootings and the realities of gang life, but not gratuitous or detailed descriptions.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

Contains frequent use of profanity consistent with the street-smart, realistic setting.

LGBTQIA characters2/5
Why this rating?

Aunt Pooh has a girlfriend, Lena; their relationship is visible in the family and community but is not the main plot.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Minimal religious references; not a central theme.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Features age-appropriate crushes and dating, but it is secondary to the plot.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Tense situations involving poverty and gang pressure create a stressful atmosphere.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Brief mentions of relationships; no explicit sexual content.

Alcohol or drugs3/5
Why this rating?

A mother’s past drug addiction and an aunt’s drug dealing are significant plot elements; recovery and family consequences are emphasized.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes threats of violence, gang-related activity, and the lingering impact of past gun violence.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Bri shows courage in standing up to public backlash and staying true to herself.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Rapping, songwriting, performance, artistic identity, and the struggle to express personal truth are central to Bri’s story.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse cast with nuanced portrayals of race, socio-economic background, and identity.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Explores social issues, the mechanics of the music industry, and socio-economic challenges.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Family members and friends provide meaningful support, loyalty, and care despite conflict, hardship, and imperfect choices.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It explores resisting stereotypes, finding one’s voice, handling public consequences, protecting family, and pursuing goals without surrendering personal integrity.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Characters struggle with complex choices, providing realistic and relatable role models.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How were alcohol or drugs portrayed, and what consequences did the story show?
  3. Which choice in ON THE COME UP would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in ON THE COME UP, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Something wrong with this guide? Report age, caution, series, cover, or title issues.