With the Fire on High

With the Fire on High

  • Downloads:7163
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-06-05 05:52:10
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Elizabeth Acevedo
  • ISBN:006266283X
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From the New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award longlist title The Poet X comes a dazzling novel in prose about a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to feed the soul that keeps her fire burning bright。

Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, Emoni Santiago’s life has been about making the tough decisions—doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela。 The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness。

Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows that it’s not worth her time to pursue the impossible。 Yet despite the rules she thinks she has to play by, once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free。

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Reviews

E。

Disclaimer: I listened to this as an audiobook。 What a bright spot of sunshine this book is。 I love Emoni and Malachi, and I love the support network that Acevedo builds for Emoni。 The author takes some very difficult life situations and handles them admirably through her characters。 I also really enjoyed how the story itself seemed to be told in vignettes instead of the traditional chapters of a novel (although maybe it seems that way because I listened to it instead of reading it as a physical Disclaimer: I listened to this as an audiobook。 What a bright spot of sunshine this book is。 I love Emoni and Malachi, and I love the support network that Acevedo builds for Emoni。 The author takes some very difficult life situations and handles them admirably through her characters。 I also really enjoyed how the story itself seemed to be told in vignettes instead of the traditional chapters of a novel (although maybe it seems that way because I listened to it instead of reading it as a physical book)。 。。。more

Kayte

Read as an audiobook, which is narrated by the author。 It was excellent。 I have a whole list of books to read, but sometimes I just want to pick something totally new, which is what I did with this。 I googled "best audiobook narration," found a list, and picked one based on a short description。 I'm a sucker for books about food and chefs, and for coming of age stories。 The main character was a teen mom in her senior year of high school, struggling to balance her responsibilities, and figure out Read as an audiobook, which is narrated by the author。 It was excellent。 I have a whole list of books to read, but sometimes I just want to pick something totally new, which is what I did with this。 I googled "best audiobook narration," found a list, and picked one based on a short description。 I'm a sucker for books about food and chefs, and for coming of age stories。 The main character was a teen mom in her senior year of high school, struggling to balance her responsibilities, and figure out what she wanted to do in the world。 The characters were beautifully well rounded and dynamic, and I love Emoni's voice and passion。 Totally delightful and uplifting。 。。。more

Rachel Hoyt

3。5 ⭐ - This is my favorite Acevedo novel by far and I think all young girls should read it for many reasons。 However, my one major complaint is that Emoni is too mature and too good。 I know kids and young mothers like her exist, but they are few and far between。 As someone who works with kids, I just couldn't buy her completely。 She needed to mess up at least once。 I would have believed the character a lot more if she had really had a fight with Pretty Leslie or got in a screaming match with Mr 3。5 ⭐ - This is my favorite Acevedo novel by far and I think all young girls should read it for many reasons。 However, my one major complaint is that Emoni is too mature and too good。 I know kids and young mothers like her exist, but they are few and far between。 As someone who works with kids, I just couldn't buy her completely。 She needed to mess up at least once。 I would have believed the character a lot more if she had really had a fight with Pretty Leslie or got in a screaming match with Mrs。 Palmer。 I just couldn't buy her maturity。 。。。more

BooksAndRae

Loved this book so much!!! Emoni is such a strong and creative character who has a lot to decide in life but that doesn't stop her from being a wonderful mother, friend and cook。I really loved seeing how she created such wonderful dishes and made the most of every decision she made。 She was determined to prove to herself and others that she could do what she wanted。 Definitely recommend this book!! Loved this book so much!!! Emoni is such a strong and creative character who has a lot to decide in life but that doesn't stop her from being a wonderful mother, friend and cook。I really loved seeing how she created such wonderful dishes and made the most of every decision she made。 She was determined to prove to herself and others that she could do what she wanted。 Definitely recommend this book!! 。。。more

Lucy Richardson

I just found this book quite boring hence why it took me 4 months to finish!

Natalie Alden

3。5

Miriam T

I think Elizabeth Acevedo is one of my favorite authors, period。 Her books are categorized as YA/teen but the lessons learned, and the stories told reflect wherever you are when you read them。 I devoured this book intensely。 Such a beautiful story with so many layers。 Idk how Acevedo manages to write such fully formed and whole characters but her stories wrap me in a warm (but tough) hug。

Emmi Hanninen

Kaunis kirja unelmien tavoittelusta。 Tykkäsin kovasti kirjoitustyylistä ja tarina eteni vaivattomasti eteenpäin。

Morgan Rukstales

A beautiful ya masterpiece。 This book is *chef’s kiss*

Kaitlyn Brennan

“With the Fire on High” by Elizabeth Acevedo is a YA contemporary about high school senior, Emoni Santiago。 Emoni is an aspiring chef who dreams of one day going to a culinary school, although with a three year old daughter she has to raise, and her Abuela she has to care for, Emoni feels as though her dream will never come true。 When Emoni discovers that her school will get a new culinary class that will include an apprenticeship in Spain, Emoni can’t help the swell of hope that she feels, and “With the Fire on High” by Elizabeth Acevedo is a YA contemporary about high school senior, Emoni Santiago。 Emoni is an aspiring chef who dreams of one day going to a culinary school, although with a three year old daughter she has to raise, and her Abuela she has to care for, Emoni feels as though her dream will never come true。 When Emoni discovers that her school will get a new culinary class that will include an apprenticeship in Spain, Emoni can’t help the swell of hope that she feels, and thinks that her dream might finally be within reach。 I was invested in this book from the very first chapter, and I absolutely loved Acevedo’s lyrical writing。 Emoni was such an easy character to root for, and the love and devotion she has for her daughter was heartwarming to read。 The major themes present in the novel, were motherhood, cooking, and Emoni’s journey of never giving up on her dream, even with all the responsibilities weighing her down。 There was also a romance in this novel, which I enjoyed, but I’m glad the main focus was on Emoni。One of my favorite quotes in this book is “Here’s the thing: these teachers forget that I have to make hard decisions every day。” Emoni had the weight of the world on her shoulders and she is only a senior in high school。 This book opened my eyes to the difficulty young moms face every single day。 This book is one of the most well written books I’ve read, and I won’t forget it anytime soon。 To me, it is one of those books that leaves an impression, and will always be one of my favorite books to look back on。 I felt sad when I closed the last page of the book, but I can’t wait to read more of Acevedo’s other works。 I highly recommend this book to anyone, but especially if you liked “On the Come Up” by Angie Thomas and “Heartless” by Marissa Meyer。 In conclusion, this is a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it。 。。。more

Leia

The writing was poetic, and the characters are memorable as well as complex。 I wish there was more of a climax though。

Nikki

😭😭😭😭😭😭

the bard

4。25just a nice heartwarming read。 i appreciated reading about emoni's experiences as a lower-class teenage mother, and i loved reading about someone with a passion。 would definitely recommend。 4。25just a nice heartwarming read。 i appreciated reading about emoni's experiences as a lower-class teenage mother, and i loved reading about someone with a passion。 would definitely recommend。 。。。more

Jen K

Acevedo's writing is so beautiful, poetic and musical especially when she narrates on audio。 Emoni is a senior in high school in the "bad" part of Philly, a city that she loves。 She is also a mom to a two year old and raised by her grandmother after her mother passed in childbirth and her father retreated to PR。 Emoni also has a way with food and spices and much of the book is descriptions of mouth watering cooking and food。 Acevedo does such a great job of weaving in such important messages of Acevedo's writing is so beautiful, poetic and musical especially when she narrates on audio。 Emoni is a senior in high school in the "bad" part of Philly, a city that she loves。 She is also a mom to a two year old and raised by her grandmother after her mother passed in childbirth and her father retreated to PR。 Emoni also has a way with food and spices and much of the book is descriptions of mouth watering cooking and food。 Acevedo does such a great job of weaving in such important messages of self, identity and coming of age in her novels。 Lives are complicated for young teens of color in the city。 Adults are well meaning but not always understanding how the advice goes sideways as everyday is navigated with such complexity。 I really appreciate how she honors those voices。 。。。more

Sy Ali

This book really hit me。 More than I expected it to, honestly。It was a slow burn for me but at one point, I just felt an amazing sense of kinship with all the characters and I knew I need to see how it ended。 Emoni is a loving mother, a magical cook, and an excellent friend。 And she's in high school。 I was incredibly proud of her for being herself。All the relationships were so honest and showed the whole part of a person - the strengths and weaknesses。 Emoni's dad is like mine in the sense that This book really hit me。 More than I expected it to, honestly。It was a slow burn for me but at one point, I just felt an amazing sense of kinship with all the characters and I knew I need to see how it ended。 Emoni is a loving mother, a magical cook, and an excellent friend。 And she's in high school。 I was incredibly proud of her for being herself。All the relationships were so honest and showed the whole part of a person - the strengths and weaknesses。 Emoni's dad is like mine in the sense that he chooses to live a more wild and free life, committing to restlessness。 But her father was a way better person than my own, very passionate, with a lot of truth to his lectures about Europe。 I like that, that relationship was each of them doing their best。 Sometimes it just takes time。I love Babygirl (Emma) and them dressing her up as a chef for Halloween。 I love Malachi with his dimples and cheesiness and his devotion to being a good friend while also struggling with his own grief。 I loved Gelly for being an amazing artist, but so humble about it。 I love the moment where Emoni sees how Gelly protected her through her pregnancy and reciprocated when Gelly came out。 Because they're family。Cooking is more than just nourishment of the body。 Food is a huge part of how people share and show their love for one another。 It carries on for generations, just like stories。 Some dishes remind me of my mother, others' of my grandmother。 This book reminded me how much I will always be grateful for what was made for me。 I hope to pass that along to the people I meet in my life。Great story。 Thanks for all the recipes。 。。。more

Naila

This is a book about food, family, culture, love and friendship and the writers passin for all of these is imbued in every bite-sized chapter。 The romance was so intimate and Malachi (the love interest) had me squealing in every scene。 This is a book I will enthusiastically recommended to my anyone who reads。

Mia Danneel♡♡♡

Absolutely loved it。 Couldn't put it down! Absolutely loved it。 Couldn't put it down! 。。。more

Madeleine Booth-smits

Super sweet and fun

Jillian

The writing in this book is just beautiful。 Highly recommend listening as an audiobook。

Dana

I loovvee Emoni。 She is such a strong character and I love that this book focused on how she is exploring her identity and potential futures, rather than following a love line。 It was amazing to see her navigate her last year in high school and figure out how to balance her potential career and her baby girl。It's just such a heartwarming, cozy story。 I highly recommend :) I loovvee Emoni。 She is such a strong character and I love that this book focused on how she is exploring her identity and potential futures, rather than following a love line。 It was amazing to see her navigate her last year in high school and figure out how to balance her potential career and her baby girl。It's just such a heartwarming, cozy story。 I highly recommend :) 。。。more

Vi Le Nguyen Nhat

I love this book for the cooking aspect of it, I can smell the magical and tasty food that Emoni made and the book includes small bits of recipes to go with the story which is a pleasant surprise。 Also, the story is heartwarming because as difficult as being a teen mom is, Emoni has her 'Buela, her grandmother, and her best friend by her side, and later on, having a little romance with great understanding and patience from Malachi。 Their trip to Spain for Culinary Arts course was fun to read as I love this book for the cooking aspect of it, I can smell the magical and tasty food that Emoni made and the book includes small bits of recipes to go with the story which is a pleasant surprise。 Also, the story is heartwarming because as difficult as being a teen mom is, Emoni has her 'Buela, her grandmother, and her best friend by her side, and later on, having a little romance with great understanding and patience from Malachi。 Their trip to Spain for Culinary Arts course was fun to read as well。 However, I just wish there would be a little bit more to the story, a bit more in-depth of her difficulties, how she conquered those and had to grow up to become an adult at age 14。 “I've had a lot of things to feel ashamed about and I've learned most of them are other people's problems, not mine。” - Emoni。I guess I'd lovea bit of more spice to the story just like how Emoni would add spices to her food。 It is still a good read, I learned a few things about roots and culture through food and through the eyes of the kids in Philly。 I'd recommend this to anyone who wants something different to read 😄 。。。more

November Rose

A memorable novel that provides a deeper appreciation of food and culture, as well as incorporating YA elements of romance and drama。

Louise Nordling

Dnf after 2h into the audiobook。The narrator sounded too old for a 17 year old girl, so much so I got shocked when the main character said she was 17 and in high school, I thought she was a young mom in college - which would be interesting too。Also she called her chils "Baby Girl" so much I thought that was her name。 It was at one point I had to paus and really think if I could remember if she had another name or if she really was named Baby girl。。Also I had hidden "I let out a breath I didn't k Dnf after 2h into the audiobook。The narrator sounded too old for a 17 year old girl, so much so I got shocked when the main character said she was 17 and in high school, I thought she was a young mom in college - which would be interesting too。Also she called her chils "Baby Girl" so much I thought that was her name。 It was at one point I had to paus and really think if I could remember if she had another name or if she really was named Baby girl。。Also I had hidden "I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding" somewhere deep in my mind, forgetting this even was a thing but damn this girl forgot to breath a lot。The last offend this book did, that made me drop it, was when she got mad on her culinary art teacher。 Cuz in that scene I was totally on his side and found her really inmuture, maybe she learn from this later in the book but I felt too annoyed to wait for it to happen。 And I just know when I side with the adults in movies/shows/books I know it's just not for me 。。。more

Deana Beecher

I enjoy reading Elizabeth Acevedo, and this one did not disappoint。

Cheyenne

Elizabeth Acevedo is brilliant, and I absolutely loved this。

Cassie May

3。5 stars。 I’m only rating this book a 3。5 strictly because it isn’t exactly my jam, however, I entirely understand why people love it。 I’m not a huge contemporary person, but this was being used to fulfill the prompt “a book about food” on my Read More challenge。 This book had a nice atmosphere in terms of the cooking and Spain and I like that Emoni was able to forge her own path even in times of the utmost uncertainty。 I enjoyed her best friend and the love interest, however, I didn’t LOVE Emo 3。5 stars。 I’m only rating this book a 3。5 strictly because it isn’t exactly my jam, however, I entirely understand why people love it。 I’m not a huge contemporary person, but this was being used to fulfill the prompt “a book about food” on my Read More challenge。 This book had a nice atmosphere in terms of the cooking and Spain and I like that Emoni was able to forge her own path even in times of the utmost uncertainty。 I enjoyed her best friend and the love interest, however, I didn’t LOVE Emoni。 I liked her well enough but for a book that is character based, I wanted a bit more from her。 Again, there are no inherent problems, in fact, I think this is an incredible book in terms of merit and I absolutely see all of the aspects that people love, it’s just not for me。 However, that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy my reading experience, I did, just not as much as a sci fi or thriller, etc。 。。。more

Parvathi Sai

It was an okayish read for me 。 I mean I did enjoy the plot but I thought there was not a central conflict I waked towards or something to be realllly worried about and the ending and everything fell into place without being absored into a problem。 But it was a perfectly fine read being light and heart warming !As some on from another part of the world I really got to learn about the culture alot! It was fresh and I was not irritated by any character and I even liked pretty leslie at the end!The It was an okayish read for me 。 I mean I did enjoy the plot but I thought there was not a central conflict I waked towards or something to be realllly worried about and the ending and everything fell into place without being absored into a problem。 But it was a perfectly fine read being light and heart warming !As some on from another part of the world I really got to learn about the culture alot! It was fresh and I was not irritated by any character and I even liked pretty leslie at the end!The trip to spain, her love for her culture through her food, her family and their bonds were my favourite parts of the book!(view spoiler)[The trip to spain was really nice and I kept being scared of what might happen! Malachi being the new-transfer kid and him being hopelessly in love with Emoni was kinda cliche but the part about hin was not the central theme and he was not the saviour or the knight in the shinig armour so I really liked that! All the part of Emoni and her cooking class and her aunt SArah's mails and everything was so very well written I really liked those parts and the ones with Malachi tooo they were cute! I like Angelica and her art and Buela's character was my favourite too she raised Emoni and her dad all on her own and I loved the fact that noone in the book made Emma a big deal and it was very comforting。 I wish there were more parts describing Emma and how Emoni raised her I mean there parts about her but I just wish there was more of her but I think the author wanted to show Emoni more than just a teenage mother and I appreciate that too! (hide spoiler)] At the end it was a good book but I think it could have been much more than this ! I enjoyed it nonetheless! 。。。more

Chase

This book is spectacular。 The prose。 The characters。 The plot。 The food。 Please tell me there’s a sequel in the making!

Michalina

Bardzo przyjemna, szybka, wakacyjna książka。 Niezbyt ambitna, dosyć przewidywalna, ale bohaterowie są wielowymiarowo i ciekawi a cała fabuła przeurocza。

Helen

An inspiring story on how we overcome our fears and find our way。