What I Liked:
The writing – It’s no secret that I loved The Poet X. It reintroduced me to poetry and created a thirst for more. Acevedo’s sophomore novel is told in prose and it’s no surprise that her writing is just as poetic. There were times while reading where I had to pause just to appreciate her imagery.
Emoni – I really enjoyed Emoni as a character. She has so much love for her daughter and her grandmother. All throughout the story, you can feel her hesitation when it comes to pursuing her dreams. She has responsibilities that have kept her from doing so, but learns that it is herself that has been holding her back for so long. I loved reading about her passion for cooking. It’s an outlet for her emotions and her creativity. Something she is a natural at, but a skill where she still has a lot to learn.
Afro-Latinidad – The exploration of what it means to be Afro-Latinx is at the center of who Emoni is. I loved that the MC was so adamant about her identity. Being black and Latinx aren’t mutually exclusive; being black does not subtract from her Latinidad and being Latinx does not subtract from her being black.
Teen parenthood – Most books I see about teens with children have to do with teen pregnancy, so it was refreshing to read a book about a teen mother with a toddler.
Emphasis on family and friends – Emoni might not have much, but she has an incredible support system, from her best friend Angelica to her abuela. As strong as these relationships are, Emoni doesn’t have the best relationship with her father and feels distant from her mother’s side of the family, but I loved that these relationships end of shifting for the better.
Magical realism – Although this one might strictly be called contemporary, Acevedo weaves in elements of magical realism. Emoni’s cooking is said to elicit emotional responses from those who taste it. It’s presented very subtly, but I think that’s one of the reasons I loved it so much.
Final Verdict:
Elizabeth Acevedo creates another wonderful and very relatable MC in With the Fire on High. Emoni is a character who is both vulnerable and strong and whose successes at the end of the novel feel like your own.
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Reviews with images
Acevedo delivers another 5 Star!
Emoni Santiago doesn’t let getting pregnant as a freshman slow down her ambition in life. Raised by her grandmother because her parents are out of the picture, things have not come easy for her in her short life. She’s not the best student and she has a daughter to provide for at such a young age, and this really forces her to grow up and not be able to enjoy being a teenager. What she lacks for in the traditional family support is made up by those in her community that help to build her up! She has a grandmother that is tough but very loving, teacher/guidance counselor who believes in her and friends that hold her up! They all help her to see that her passion for cooking can become her career. Sometimes her ambition is questioned with the demands of raising a daughter, being a good granddaughter, having a new cute boy flirt with you, and deciding between furthering her education and working to put food on the table, but in the end Emoni makes the decision that is best for her.I really loved the messages in this book of community, and pride. Elizabeth Acevedo does it again with an amazingly heartbreaking story. I laughed and cried in this book up until the end. I was also very hungry and wanting to try some of Emoni’s concoctions in the book! I would never wish the burden of having to become a mother at the young age of 14 for anyone, but Emoni took it in stride. I highly recommend this beautiful book!
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