Angie Thomas, the bestselling, award-winning author of The Hate U Give, presents her highly anticipated second novel, On the Come Up, at Oakland Technical High School Auditorium on Monday, February 18, 3-5 p.m.

Thomas will be in conversation with MK Asante, award-winning writer, filmmaker, hip-hop artist, and distinguished professor. The event is sponsored by Oakland Unified School District Library Services and Berkeley’s Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore.

Insightful, unflinching, and full of heart, On the Come Up (published February 5 by HarperCollins), an ode to hip-hop, is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; and about how, especially for young black people, freedom of speech isn't always free.

Your $25 purchase includes a ticket and a copy of On the Come Up, available for pickup at the event.

Donations:

In an effort to support Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) students, we are prioritizing books and attendance for those students. For funders and the general public who are able to give, a donation of $25 will sponsor a book and ticket for a young person who might otherwise be unable to attend. As a thank you, each person that sponsors an OUSD student to attend the event will receive a FREE copy of MK Asante's award-winning memoir, Buck.

To donate a ticket and book, simply select the Donate a Book + Ticket option before making your purchase above. Please feel free to donate as many tickets as you can to help support Oakland's youth.

Bulk Donations: To discuss sponsoring books and attendance for a large group of students, or a group from a specific Oakland public school, at a discount, please contact us directly at amy.cheney@ousd.org.

Parking & Additional Details:

Street parking and on-campus parking are avaible at the 45th Street entrance. Doors open at 2:30pm, show starts at 3pm. Please arrive early to find parking and a good seat.

A former teen rapper, Angie Thomas holds a BFA in creative writing from Bellhaven University. Her debut novel, The Hate U Give, is a #1 New York Times bestseller and major motion picture from Fox 2000 starring Amandla Stenberg and directed by George Tillman, Jr. She was born, raised, and still lives in Jackson, Mississippi.

MK Asante is the author of It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop: The Rise of the Post-Hip-Hop Generation and Buck: A Memoir, currently being adapted into a major motion picture.

For more information about Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Library Services, visit them here.