A poignant, authentic coming-of-age story about a young woman’s strength, ambition, and the power of dreams to rise above circumstance.
 
In a struggling New York neighborhood, fourteen-year-old AnnMarie Walker navigates adolescence, first love, and the limits of her world. When a chance encounter with an independent filmmaker offers her a glimpse of a different future, AnnMarie must decide how far she’s willing to go—and what she’s willing to leave behind—to make her dreams real.
 
Based on the true experiences of a young woman Hannah Weyer met while working on documentary films, On the Come Up captures the raw honesty of growing up where opportunity is scarce but spirit runs deep.
 
Weyer’s compassionate storytelling immerses readers in AnnMarie’s daily life—her friendships, her fierce love for family, and her quiet defiance of the expectations around her. Through vivid, conversational prose, Weyer celebrates the resilience of girls who fight to define themselves on their own terms.
 
Told with warmth, humor, and heartbreaking realism, On the Come Up is both a portrait of one remarkable young woman and a universal story of perseverance and self-belief.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A deeply moving, character-driven coming-of-age novel.
Authentic voice drawn from real-life inspiration.
Sharp social insight into class, race, and gender in modern America.
Perfect blend of grit, hope, and emotional honesty.
Written by an award-winning filmmaker with a documentarian’s eye for truth.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of Push by Sapphire and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
Readers who enjoy realistic, urban coming-of-age fiction.
Book clubs exploring resilience and representation in contemporary life.
Anyone drawn to heartfelt, socially aware storytelling.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed On the Come Up, you might also like:
Push by Sapphire — raw, powerful story of survival and self-discovery.
The Corner by David Simon & Ed Burns — authentic portrait of urban life and hope.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas — young voices rising against inequality.