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A review by lastingliterature
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’m ashamed to say this is my first Elizabeth Acevedo book, and wow, I’ve been missing out!
This is a YA book centered on HS senior, Emoni, who is trying to balance school, a job, and taking care of her daughter. When her school stars a culinary arts class, Emoni is thrilled. After finding her love for cooking as a child, this seems like a dream come true. Even better, the class will be taking a week-long trip to Spain! But, unfortunately, this trip costs money Emoni doesn’t have and would also require her to leave her daughter, which she has never done.
This book really stands out—I don’t recall any YA books where the protagonist is a teen parent. Unlike many tv shows and movies, Emoni isn’t portrayed as a sad story of making bad choices and not being able to handle raising her child. Instead, it is a story of strength and love between this family. I also really liked to see the focus on cooking, which I don’t see too often in YA (I’m getting a little bit tired of protagonists who are writers 😬) Emoni is Afro-Puerto Rican and her culinary class is centered on Spain, so between the two...I was drooling. I made cookies last night just because I was so hungry after reading a few chapters—enough said.
Like most YA, there is a romance sub-plot, which I don’t think was necessary really, but I didn’t mind it. It was nice to see Emoni find more people who see her for how special she is, which she sometimes struggles to do. She’s Puerto-Rican, but is embarrassed by her Spanish; she’s Black, but people question her light skin; she’s a mother, but not sure if she’s making the right choices. I am not a POC or a mother, but I can say that this is a book that will broaden your perspective.
I also have to add that this is a book you should read on audio—Elizabeth Acevedo is the narrator and it’s phenomenal.
(I took off 1/2 star because the chapters are very, very short and felt abrupt at times, and the ending wasn’t the most realistic to me)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This is a YA book centered on HS senior, Emoni, who is trying to balance school, a job, and taking care of her daughter. When her school stars a culinary arts class, Emoni is thrilled. After finding her love for cooking as a child, this seems like a dream come true. Even better, the class will be taking a week-long trip to Spain! But, unfortunately, this trip costs money Emoni doesn’t have and would also require her to leave her daughter, which she has never done.
This book really stands out—I don’t recall any YA books where the protagonist is a teen parent. Unlike many tv shows and movies, Emoni isn’t portrayed as a sad story of making bad choices and not being able to handle raising her child. Instead, it is a story of strength and love between this family. I also really liked to see the focus on cooking, which I don’t see too often in YA (I’m getting a little bit tired of protagonists who are writers 😬) Emoni is Afro-Puerto Rican and her culinary class is centered on Spain, so between the two...I was drooling. I made cookies last night just because I was so hungry after reading a few chapters—enough said.
Like most YA, there is a romance sub-plot, which I don’t think was necessary really, but I didn’t mind it. It was nice to see Emoni find more people who see her for how special she is, which she sometimes struggles to do. She’s Puerto-Rican, but is embarrassed by her Spanish; she’s Black, but people question her light skin; she’s a mother, but not sure if she’s making the right choices. I am not a POC or a mother, but I can say that this is a book that will broaden your perspective.
I also have to add that this is a book you should read on audio—Elizabeth Acevedo is the narrator and it’s phenomenal.
(I took off 1/2 star because the chapters are very, very short and felt abrupt at times, and the ending wasn’t the most realistic to me)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism