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Angie Thomas Talks Rap, Resistance And Loud Black Girls

I meet Angie Thomas at a smart hotel in central London, my heart racing as I step across the sleek polished floors. After all, it’s not every day one gets to meet one of their favourite authors. It’s a testament to Angie Thomas’ cross-generational appeal that so many people I know, from my teen sister to my middle-aged dad, are excited about our interview.

Angie Thomas is one of those rare things: an actually famous author. While she is well-known in the real world, Angie is royalty in the books world. Her debut Young Adult novel The Hate U Give has sold over two million copies globally and still sits comfortably at the top of the New York Times Bestseller chart since its release two years ago. A gut-wrenching story of racism and state violence told from the perspective of sixteen year-old Starr Carter, The Hate U Give has won the hearts of readers all around the world. 

It’s a tough act to follow, but I’m certain Angie’s second novel, On The Come Up, will captivate and enthral readers all over again. It’s about Brianna Jackson, a sixteen year-old girl who dreams of using her smart lyrics and sharp tongue to make it as a rapper. But when Bri’s mum loses her job and the threat of homelessness lingers, Bri has to balance staying true to herself with a desire to make it big and lift the family out of poverty.