With the Fire on High

I’ve been WAITING for Elizabeth Acevedo to publish a book written in prose. I don’t…read poetry like that. Drag me. I don’t care. But the second i saw this, I preordered it!And i’m happy i did, because it has the most beautiful cover design I’ve seen in a while. There’s the main cover with the main character drawn, and a design on the hardcover itself. I didn’t expect the book’s desing to be this thught out, because in most of the reviews I watched, people had received arcs and didn’t purchase final copies.I loved this book. Love the concept. Loved how race and ethnicity was explained. Loved that the spanish wasn’t explicitly explained in italics when it was said. Loved to read a book about a BLACK teenage mother, who kept her child. Loved to read about the thoughts she had about getting rid of it, and keeping it. And how it never felt like she was forced to make a certain decision.The language in the book is relatable, and genuine. I could imagine talking to a girl like Emoni in high school. I don’t live in Philadelphia, and I probably couldn’t find it in a map (I am geographically challenged. If it’s not California, Texas or Florida…I can’t find it), but I felt like was there as I read.I loved her writing style. This book reminded me of something that I loved in books. Little chapters that can stand on their own, and give you a background on the main characters. This is something I want to implement in my own writing.Here’s what I hated:I feel like I say this all the time, but I always think this. It was too long. But Elizabeth Acevado is an amazing, beautiful writer, so I can’t tell you which scenes I think should have been cut!I also thought that Emoni had it kind of easy. Everything worked out. Maybe she should have gotten rejected from every school she applied to. I don’t think teen moms have to go through every struggle possible, but this entire book was like…smooth sailing. The only blip I can think of, was when her phone was taken and she missed out on her daughter being taken to the hospital.But that made no sense to me because if EVERYONE knew she had a kid, wouldn’t it be approved for her to actively use her phone? If I were on staff at that school, I’d be PISSED.It became predictable, and by the time the Spain trip came, I didn’t even read it. I understood why it was important to put emphasis on Emoni perusing her goals, but selfishly…I wanted more moments of her being a mom.Definitely recommend!

I read this for a book club. Normally, I wouldn’t choose a “young adult” book, since I graduated from high school in 1976. But I really enjoyed this story about Emoni, a black teen/woman, juggling responsibilities, love and dreams. Highly recommended!

Phenomenal! No lie, I got so invested in the character Emoni that not only did I read this all in one sitting, at one point I actually caught myself thinking of Emoni as if she's a teen I work with in real life. I had to pause and remind myself that Emoni is FICTIONAL.So yeah, Elizabeth Acevedo is THAT good. Would recommend to teens and adults alike, worth so much more than 5 stars!!!

I didn’t know anything about this author or her work till my friend recommended this book for a group read. I was kind of dragging my feet about it because I’m not a fan of Young Adult Fiction but I decided to give this a go.From the first page I was sucked in by main character, Emoni’s, way with food. This book is a love song to tastes and flavors in a visceral way that will make you want to try new foods. Which is good because Emoni includes her recipes- although good luck trying to follow them as they are more instinctive than scientific if you don’t already sort of have an idea what they are making.Other than food, this is a story of a teen mom abandoned by her father, raised by a doting but tired grandmother who is on the cusp of adulthood and trying to make the right decisions for herself and her little family. Even though Emoni is in adult situations, this book never feels disingenuous- her voice is true to her age, mature at times because of her life experience, immature at others because of her youth. She is always in character as a young girl and yet even if you aren’t a teen mom with a lot of life pressures and the specific problems and conflicts Emoni faces, you will find a lot to relate to in Imani’s coming of age story.This is a gentle sort of book related in a compassionate, thought-provoking sort of way. Conversations about race and racial and cultural identity, as well as respect and sexual consent, are also included and it’s a valuable addition to a book for young adults because it’s all presented in a very useful way. Highly highly recommend this novel!!!!! Soooooo good!

WOW WOW WOW. I absolutely love this book so much and I need everyone to pick it up and read it!I absolutely love the main character Emoni, she is so strong and always pushes for what is best for her and her family. I love that characteristic and Emoni is one of the best fictional characters that I have ever read about. She is very lifelike and someone that I would love to be friends with! Emoni's passion for cooking bleeds into every aspect of her life and is something that I haven't read much about in books.The family dynamic in this book is another aspect that I just love. Emoni lives with her grandmother and her young daughter. I love seeing the relationship grow and face challenges that strain that family bond. Overall, I insist that EVERYONE read this book, there is so so much good within the pages and there is something for everyone to enjoy while reading this fantastic book.

Emoni Santiago is a woman you want to cheer on. Her story is amazingly told in a way that only Elizabeth Acevedo can achieve. She writes a believable character that is strong yet vulnerable and weaves a beautiful story. I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

Gosh, what a beautiful book this was! I must say, I bought this it based on the cover only (maybe a little bit because of the author), sorry not sorry, just look how amazing the cover is!The book starts with a recipe for a broken heart, I think that was such a nice way to start the book. Each part yet again has another recipe, I’m not into cooking and yet, can’t wait to try them all!Book mostly covers the struggles young mum (still in school) faces while trying to achieve her other goals in life.I loved seeing how friendship developed between the main characters; both very loveable, having faced so many struggles in their lives, yet trying to move forward in the way they know of best.I wouldn’t take anything out of this book; each story, chapter and conversation is just perfect.It’s so beautifully written, I took my time reading this book as I wanted to enjoy every word. I couldn’t recommend this book enough!

This review has been long awaited. I can not stop thinking about this book and the swarm of feelings it gave me while reading. I connected with this book and Emoni in so many ways possible that I never would have imagined. A teenage girl trying so hard to meet her dreams and live her young life while holding the responsiblity of raising a baby, along with many other challenges of being a teenage mother..I connected to this book in a way I haven’t connected to others. I, myself am a young mother of a three-year-old boy and experienced most of what Emoni experienced throughout this book. Emoni is an amazing character who is strong and an inspiration to other young mothers. I could read her story over and over again..Emoni is an aspiring chef and a good one. Reading this book will make you hungry and wanting so badly to eat her cooking. I wish I could. It was so fun reading a book that talks about food. Who doesn’t love food? It’s such a unique book, something I haven’t read before..𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐢 𝗺𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝗼𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝗼𝗼𝐤 𝐜𝗼𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐬?.One of my new favourite books. I can not stop talking about it and will keep talking about it for a long time. It will be on my shelves for years to come, for me to read again and again. Elizabeth Acevedo is an amazing story teller and writer. I can not wait for her to release more books.

What a fine example of a coming of age story but with a twist. Emoni is not your average teenager & she shows that & more throughout this book, to say life didn't go according to plan would be an understatement.I loved the way all the characters interacted with each other, each one with their own individual traits & personalities. For each situation that arised I loved the way they all kind of bounced off each other (& not necessarily in a good way) & the way it was written you could have been in the locations with them.Overall the only criticism I had at the start is that it could have been a bit more structured but overall the story flowed really well, had good pace & was beautifully written. Highly recommend all teens upwards read this book at least once in their life.

This book, much like Acevedo's other novels was beautifully written. I loved the point of view of the teenage mum and how it didn't romanticise her situation yet also didn't suggest her life had no future. I loved being immersed in her culture with the food she makes (though don't read on an empty stomach) as well as her relationship with her grandmother. I loved the characters and her relationship. Again, nothing was romanticized or exaggerated the writing feels so genuine and real. You empathise with her, you celebrate with her, you can almost taste the flavours she cooks they are so beautifully described. Overall I really enjoyed the book and love Acevedo's writing style and I look forward to her future works. This book, much like Acevedo's other novels was beautifully written. I loved the point of view of the teenage mum and how it didn't romanticise her situation yet also didn't suggest her life had no future. I loved being immersed in her culture with the food she makes (though don't read on an empty stomach) as well as her relationship with her grandmother. I loved the characters and her relationship. Again, nothing was romanticized or exaggerated the writing feels so genuine and real. You empathise with her, you celebrate with her, you can almost taste the flavours she cooks they are so beautifully described. Overall I really enjoyed the book and love Acevedo's writing style and I look forward to her future works.

Elizabeth Acevedo does it again! This book is everything you want in a contemporary. Family, food and romance! This book focuses on the life of Teen mom Emoni who is exploring her passion for cooking and what she wants to do with her life.After reading Acevedo’s books in verse it was great to see her beautiful writing easily translates to prose. Every part of this book is so descriptive and vivid so I’ll warn you, you’re going to be very hungry after! I really connected with the story and absolutely loved the dynamic between Emoni and her grandmother.Not only is the cover beautiful but you will turn the last page seeing the world in brighter colours! I will forever re-read this book and my love for it will never change. This just gets me so excited for what Acevedo still has to share and this really solidified that she will forever be an auto buy author for meIf you’re toying as to whether to pick this up, do it! I guarantee you won’t regret it!