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jwtindall's review against another edition
5.0
This was perfect! I may even like it more than Acevedo’s previous YA books. Acevedo is a phenomenal writer, and an equally incredible narrator. She brings so much heart and rhythm to her stories that just warms the soul. Nothing major happens in the book, per se; we just get an intimate glimpse into the mind of a high school senior as she navigates the road forward in her and her family’s life - and food, so much yummy food! I also can’t think of a single book I’ve read before that features a teen mom, let alone one that is the main protagonist of the story, and this one does it so well. The character is treated with the utmost respect and care. I’ll read anything Acevedo writes.
gtaper's review against another edition
4.0
This book was great and tells an important story ... I just wish there was more plot
libbymillar's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t get enough of Elizabeth Acevedo! I LOVE hearing her read her own writing on Audible. This may be my favorite of her work, but it’s all WONDERFUL.
marziesreads's review against another edition
5.0
Elizabeth Acevedo has knocked it out of the park with this heartfelt YA novel.
Emoni Santiago is a young woman whose pregnancy at age fourteen has given her a different perspective than that of her peers. As a young mother, her first priority is her child, her second is taking care of her Abuela (grandmother) in part by working part-time, and whatever energy and little money she has left goes into her cooking. Her mother, Nya, died when Emoni was born and her dad, Julio, decided to leave Emoni in the care of his mother in Philly and return to Puerto Rico where he seems way more concerned about strangers than his own daughter. 'Buela and Emoni's best friend Angelica are the two pillars in her life, the only two people she can always count on. Now she's a senior in high school, on the cusp of adulthood, and unsure about her future path. Even with her gifts as a cook, she doesn't know if she should sign up for the culinary arts class that is a new senior elective, whether she should allow herself to hope that she can become a chef someday, or even whether she should bother to think about going to college. And then there's this new kid at school named Malachi, who's started thinking he's her friend in spite of her reminding him every chance she gets that she isn't.
This is a classic coming of age story. Emoni's naivete at fourteen doesn't ruin her chances to build her future. Even though she's a young parent, with the support of her grandmother, a good friend, and caring instructors, she manages to build her future in spite of the many challenges she faces. But it's also Emoni's pragmatic, forthright attitude that helps assure her success, an aspect I really loved in this book. Emoni learns to set boundaries, and recognize her own limits, and she knows when to ask for help or comfort. Her motto, "always forward," drawn from the Spanish expression "siempre pa'lante" keeps her from being trapped by her challenges.
This is a book that should be on high school summer reading lists. Its quiet takes on racism and sexism are reminders of all the ways we need to do better as human beings.
NB: It's a funny thing that my May Classic Read for the blog was Laura Esquivel's [b:Like Water for Chocolate|6952|Like Water for Chocolate|Laura Esquivel|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1550721459s/6952.jpg|1172473] because Emoni's gifts in the kitchen and the love infused in her food reminded me of Esquivel's Tita. (Though it's important to point out that Emoni is Puerto Rican) In fact it had me wondering if Angelica's girlfriend Laura was a hat tip to Esquivel. The recipes included in the novel made me hungry!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Harper Teen in exchange for an honest review.
Emoni Santiago is a young woman whose pregnancy at age fourteen has given her a different perspective than that of her peers. As a young mother, her first priority is her child, her second is taking care of her Abuela (grandmother) in part by working part-time, and whatever energy and little money she has left goes into her cooking. Her mother, Nya, died when Emoni was born and her dad, Julio, decided to leave Emoni in the care of his mother in Philly and return to Puerto Rico where he seems way more concerned about strangers than his own daughter. 'Buela and Emoni's best friend Angelica are the two pillars in her life, the only two people she can always count on. Now she's a senior in high school, on the cusp of adulthood, and unsure about her future path. Even with her gifts as a cook, she doesn't know if she should sign up for the culinary arts class that is a new senior elective, whether she should allow herself to hope that she can become a chef someday, or even whether she should bother to think about going to college. And then there's this new kid at school named Malachi, who's started thinking he's her friend in spite of her reminding him every chance she gets that she isn't.
This is a classic coming of age story. Emoni's naivete at fourteen doesn't ruin her chances to build her future. Even though she's a young parent, with the support of her grandmother, a good friend, and caring instructors, she manages to build her future in spite of the many challenges she faces. But it's also Emoni's pragmatic, forthright attitude that helps assure her success, an aspect I really loved in this book. Emoni learns to set boundaries, and recognize her own limits, and she knows when to ask for help or comfort. Her motto, "always forward," drawn from the Spanish expression "siempre pa'lante" keeps her from being trapped by her challenges.
This is a book that should be on high school summer reading lists. Its quiet takes on racism and sexism are reminders of all the ways we need to do better as human beings.
NB: It's a funny thing that my May Classic Read for the blog was Laura Esquivel's [b:Like Water for Chocolate|6952|Like Water for Chocolate|Laura Esquivel|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1550721459s/6952.jpg|1172473] because Emoni's gifts in the kitchen and the love infused in her food reminded me of Esquivel's Tita. (Though it's important to point out that Emoni is Puerto Rican) In fact it had me wondering if Angelica's girlfriend Laura was a hat tip to Esquivel. The recipes included in the novel made me hungry!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Harper Teen in exchange for an honest review.
stephielb78's review against another edition
5.0
I can't use any words because they all seem insignificant after this book. It. Is. Beautiful. I loved everything about it. Just read it.
readingwitherin's review against another edition
5.0
With the Fire on High is a book that covers several different topics ranging from teen pregnancy, to deciding to go to college or not and how the main character Emoni is going to be able to afford to do so if she does go to college.
This book is very realistic and once again Acevedo has done an amazing job bringing it all to life. Emoni is a character I immediately loved because of how real she is, she constantly has to make tough decisions as a a single parent not only for herself, but her child as well all while balancing going to highschool. With The Fire on High focuses on Emoni's senior year, and how she needs to choose what she is going to do with her life, to support herself and her daughter. While she does have the support of her homeroom teacher as well as another teacher later on it's still a scary decision, and one made even more complicated by the expectations her absentee father has put on her. She is also having to deal with her Abuela keeping secrets from her, and an ex-boyfriends family making her life more difficult at times. One thing besides her daughter that keeps Emoni going is her passion and love for cooking. It's what she loves to do and something that she feels extremely connected to in a way she can't quite explain, but one that she knows will help her in life.
Overall I loved this book. Emoni and the people around her have become some of my favorite characters I've read this year. The relationship she has with her Abuela is one that I loved seeing and even though it was complicated at times, I am so happy it ended the way it did. When it came to Emoni and school her willingness to take more on to have a chance at doing what she loves is inspiring especially with the support she was getting from two of her teachers who saw that passion in it from her. The ending of this book was amazing and one that I wish more stories would have.
Acevedo is one of my all-time favorite authors and I cannot wait to read her newest book Clap When You Land.
This book is very realistic and once again Acevedo has done an amazing job bringing it all to life. Emoni is a character I immediately loved because of how real she is, she constantly has to make tough decisions as a a single parent not only for herself, but her child as well all while balancing going to highschool. With The Fire on High focuses on Emoni's senior year, and how she needs to choose what she is going to do with her life, to support herself and her daughter. While she does have the support of her homeroom teacher as well as another teacher later on it's still a scary decision, and one made even more complicated by the expectations her absentee father has put on her. She is also having to deal with her Abuela keeping secrets from her, and an ex-boyfriends family making her life more difficult at times. One thing besides her daughter that keeps Emoni going is her passion and love for cooking. It's what she loves to do and something that she feels extremely connected to in a way she can't quite explain, but one that she knows will help her in life.
Overall I loved this book. Emoni and the people around her have become some of my favorite characters I've read this year. The relationship she has with her Abuela is one that I loved seeing and even though it was complicated at times, I am so happy it ended the way it did. When it came to Emoni and school her willingness to take more on to have a chance at doing what she loves is inspiring especially with the support she was getting from two of her teachers who saw that passion in it from her. The ending of this book was amazing and one that I wish more stories would have.
Acevedo is one of my all-time favorite authors and I cannot wait to read her newest book Clap When You Land.
jbfarkas's review against another edition
5.0
We read this for On The Same Page Bookclub. This is one of my favorite YA books I have read in a long time. The characters were engaging and real. The situation, a teen mom trying to finish school and match her natural affinity for cooking with a future career as a chef struck a balance between achieving an impossible dream with gritty work and coming of age while trying to raise your own child. I highly recommend this one.
livingfrankley's review against another edition
5.0
this was an absolutely beautiful read I loved everything about it!!!
jennoel1's review against another edition
4.0
A story about a high school senior growing up in Philadelphia. She’s balancing school and a part time job while also raising her 2 year old daughter. She loves to cook so she’s excited when her high school is finally offering a culinary arts class as an elective.
I love cooking and food, and the way the author described the dishes Emoni made was so perfect you could almost taste them. The author’s exploration of several complex relationships (between the main character and her absent father, her ex-boyfriend/daughters father, living with her guardian/grandmother, etc) was insightful and brought a lot of depth to a story that is otherwise a fairly typical coming of age/love story. This was a quick, easy read, which is exactly what I needed right now!
I love cooking and food, and the way the author described the dishes Emoni made was so perfect you could almost taste them. The author’s exploration of several complex relationships (between the main character and her absent father, her ex-boyfriend/daughters father, living with her guardian/grandmother, etc) was insightful and brought a lot of depth to a story that is otherwise a fairly typical coming of age/love story. This was a quick, easy read, which is exactly what I needed right now!
whitcam430's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book from beginning to the end. I loved the main character so much and her family blood and chosen. It was fun, heartwarming, and inspirational. I wished that this character was a real person whose food I could try!