With the Fire on High

When I read Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, I fell in love with her writing. But I wasn't sure if that was just because it was in verse. So I decided to read this book to see for sure.
And it was PHENOMENAL!!! Acevedo tells such a powerful story with such rich detail and flow that you don't want to put the book down. This story shows readers that no matter what your background or situation may be, hard work does pay off and dreams can come true.
If you think those statements are cliche, then read this book now. You will never look at those statements the same way again.
Elizabeth Acevedo, please write more books! You have such a talent with words and emotion, much like Emoni does with spices :)

4.5 stars With the Fire on High is my first book by Elizabeth Acevedo, and I relished every word. Her characters leap off the page and demand to be heard. And Emoni's recipes have me yearning to cook when I don't even like to cook. At its roots, this is a story about familial love, embracing change, and having the courage to take the next step. My only complaint: sometimes the chapters were too brief; I wanted more!

#popsugarreadingchallenge2020 (prompt #10)

“I want her to know her entire life her mommy may not have had a powerful job or made millions, but that her moms did everything so that she could be an accumulation of the best dreams.”
☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️
Of all of Acevedo’s novels, “With the Fire On High” was the most emotional one to read. I adored Emoni and the journey she goes on throughout this. She seeps into your heart in the most wonderful way, and you’ll find yourself cheering her on throughout the book.

Emoni is a high school student with a talent for cooking—and she balances this with caring for her young daughter (as a single mother) and living with her grandmother, and working a job to help support her family.

There are multiple emotional moments in this book (and I cried through all of them) but what stuck with me was the way that so many adults in Emoni’s life try to help so that she could work toward her dreams. She grows and prospers in conjunction with these support systems, and the ending of the book is a well-deserved one…by both Emoni and Elizabeth Acevedo ✨

With her daughter to care for and her abuela to help support her, high school senior Emoni Santiago has to make the tough decisions and do what must be done. The one place she can let her responsibilities go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.

Still, she knows she doesn’t have enough time for her school’s new culinary arts class, doesn’t have the money for the class’s trip to Spain—and shouldn’t still be dreaming of someday working in a real kitchen. But even with all the rules she has for her life—and all the rules everyone expects her to play by—once Emoni starts cooking, her only real choice is to let her talent break free.

Finally, I've read this book! It's been on my TBR list for so long and I was so excited to read this. Surprisingly, I liked this book! It has short chapters and it was fun to read. The main character here is Emoni which is she wants to learn how to cook so she signed up for this culinary school art class. It's such a nice book and totally recommend this one! I like the cover of the book which is the cover is a woman who I think it's Emoni. It's like the cover is about women's fiction genre or chick lit type.

It's a captivating novel that delves into themes of identity, family, and pursuing one's passions. The story follows the journey of Emoni Santiago, a talented young chef and teen mother, as she navigates the challenges of high school while following her culinary dreams.

Acevedo's writing beautifully captures Emoni's struggles and triumphs, making the characters feel real and relatable. The way she weaves together Emoni's love for cooking with her personal growth is both heartwarming and inspiring. The book also does a fantastic job of exploring cultural heritage and the importance of embracing one's roots.

Overall, "With the Fire on High" is a touching and empowering read that celebrates resilience, friendship, and the power of pursuing your passions. This book is a perfect fit for readers who crave inspiring and emotional stories about strong, young women who find solace and empowerment through cooking, family, and self-discovery, and who will be uplifted by the hopeful and uplifting portrayal of a teen mother's journey toward pursuing her passions and breaking free from societal expectations.

3.75