Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Quill Tree Books (2019), 400 pages
Description
Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: From the New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award-winning 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. Plus don't miss Elizabeth Acevedo's Clap When You Land!… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member bell7
Emoni Santiago is a Black Puerto Rican teen mom living with her Abuela in Philly, and when she gets the chance to take a Culinary Arts class in her senior year of high school, she goes for it.
Acevedo's sophomore outing is prose rather than poetry, but has an engaging narrator in Emoni and poetic
Acevedo's sophomore outing is prose rather than poetry, but has an engaging narrator in Emoni and poetic
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thoughts as she grows through senior year, making choices about her future, meeting a new boy at school, and navigating a tough relationship with her dad. She comes to understand a lot about herself and other people as she goes. Emoni's a great heroine to cheer for, and I can't wait to see what Acevedo does next. Show Less
LibraryThing member witchyrichy
Poet X was a favorite book so far this year, coupled with On the Come Up. And, just as Thomas's second book was a departure from her first but equally well written and engaging, Elizabeth Acevedo's new book, With the Fire On High was a joy to read. She titled her last section 'Bittersweet' and that
We see the world through eyes but she is honest enough to tell us how others see her. It isn't always flattering and she is able to acknowledge when she has let her own ego or prejudices get in the way.
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is how I felt at the end of the story. I connected with the main character, Emoni, immediately, as we are plunged into her world of being a single mom heading into her senior year in high school. She juggles a baby, a job, her grandmother and father, a budding romance and the baby's father, all the while finding out how to pursue her own dream of being a chef. We see the world through eyes but she is honest enough to tell us how others see her. It isn't always flattering and she is able to acknowledge when she has let her own ego or prejudices get in the way.
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LibraryThing member richardderus
Emoni Santiago, motherless teen mom and dearly beloved granddaughter, has to figure out a lot. She needs to figure out how to forgive, how to relate to, her babydaddy, Tyrone, the mostly useless sperm donor; her own father, Julio, whose absence rips her six ways from Sunday; her world, the world
Her response? Preheat the oven, get out the flour, see what's in the fridge and make some dinner. Lunch. Bread (the recipe for which is now in my "ZOMG YUM" file). Emoni wants to feed people, all people, any people. Her career and her passion will always make sure she reaches for the spice rack whenever the world gets her down.
The antique wisdom that there is power in decision, boldness creates its own rewards, is made manifest in Emoni's ultimate choices as her high-school graduation nears. Her new squeeze, Malachi, has waved her off to a culinary adventure in Spain, been there when she returns, and been the kind of friend a girl can only dream about...no pressure to put out...but lots of hugs. (I myownself think the author does girls a disservice here, because if he's not asking you for it he's getting it somewhere.) Anyway, cynical aside notwithstanding, Malachi does give Emoni the most perfect prom memory I've ever read, one that made me sniff loudly and smile for hours afterward.
I love Emoni unreservedly. I will make Poet Acevedo's bread soon; I owe her that! Plus I am enamoured of her Spanish/Spanglish beautiful, beautiful sentences. I wish for your sake that you will meet Emoni and 'Buela and Babygirl, Angelica and Pretty Leslie and Mr. Jagoda, Julio and Ms. Fuentes as soon as you can. I dock a half-star for unrealistic expectations being raised, and for the w-bombs dropped, and for a certain...patness...in the story's tidy convergence on happiness. But these are tiny, tiny matter compared to the fact that I *read*a*YA*novel* and, moreover, LIKED IT.
Boldness does indeed create its own rewards.
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that sees her as a single mother who should've had an abortion so she could Make Something of Herself.Her response? Preheat the oven, get out the flour, see what's in the fridge and make some dinner. Lunch. Bread (the recipe for which is now in my "ZOMG YUM" file). Emoni wants to feed people, all people, any people. Her career and her passion will always make sure she reaches for the spice rack whenever the world gets her down.
The antique wisdom that there is power in decision, boldness creates its own rewards, is made manifest in Emoni's ultimate choices as her high-school graduation nears. Her new squeeze, Malachi, has waved her off to a culinary adventure in Spain, been there when she returns, and been the kind of friend a girl can only dream about...no pressure to put out...but lots of hugs. (I myownself think the author does girls a disservice here, because if he's not asking you for it he's getting it somewhere.) Anyway, cynical aside notwithstanding, Malachi does give Emoni the most perfect prom memory I've ever read, one that made me sniff loudly and smile for hours afterward.
I love Emoni unreservedly. I will make Poet Acevedo's bread soon; I owe her that! Plus I am enamoured of her Spanish/Spanglish beautiful, beautiful sentences. I wish for your sake that you will meet Emoni and 'Buela and Babygirl, Angelica and Pretty Leslie and Mr. Jagoda, Julio and Ms. Fuentes as soon as you can. I dock a half-star for unrealistic expectations being raised, and for the w-bombs dropped, and for a certain...patness...in the story's tidy convergence on happiness. But these are tiny, tiny matter compared to the fact that I *read*a*YA*novel* and, moreover, LIKED IT.
Boldness does indeed create its own rewards.
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LibraryThing member lycomayflower
YA novel about high school senior Emoni, who is a single mom and an aspiring chef. I enjoyed so much about this novel, including the main character, the sentence writing, and the food details. The pacing felt off, however, especially in the middle, with several events seeming like they could be the
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story's climax but weren't. But ultimately I was very pleased with the read, particularly as I loved the way Emoni worked out a way to follow her dreams without feeling like she was letting her responsibilities slide. Show Less
LibraryThing member quondame
A sprightly paced page-turner about a 17yr old high school senior with a toddler from her first boyfriend, a grandmother who raised her after her mother's death and her father's abandonment and a magic touch with food. The charter school she attends is offering a culinary arts class and taking it
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may be an extra burden or the doorway to a new future. The toddler is only ill in one chapter and difficulties are raised only to melt away. So not a bad read, but total fantasy. Show Less
LibraryThing member novelcommentary
March 31
Well amazingly I just finished my 7th book of this month of confinement, and it went out with a bang. Acevedo's compelling story about a teenage mom in her senior year at a Philadelphia charter school, had me up during the night just to continue the narrative. Emoni Santiago has a gift with
NYT
Emoni’s story is a gift especially to readers looking for a counternarrative to young mothers of color positioned as tragic products of family dysfunction. Some 20 years ago, that notion was popularized in Sapphire’s “Push,” and it has fermented in popular culture. While Emoni and her family have experienced pain, they are defined by resilience and perseverance. With its judicious depth and brilliant blazes of writing that simmer, then nourish, “With the Fire on High” is literary soul food.
Some lines:
The world is a turntable that never stops spinning; as humans we merely choose the tracks we want to sit out and the ones that inspire us to dance.
I scoop some fries into a carton. The salt crystals gleam on them like some rapper’s diamond-crusted chain.
The fake sweet smile she was wearing has cannonballed clear off her face into a pool of confusion. Is Malachi asking me on a date? In front of Pretty Leslie?
“This one, the real smile you have on right now. Almost as if you’re choosing to give a sunlit middle finger to this fucked-up world.”
Well amazingly I just finished my 7th book of this month of confinement, and it went out with a bang. Acevedo's compelling story about a teenage mom in her senior year at a Philadelphia charter school, had me up during the night just to continue the narrative. Emoni Santiago has a gift with
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food, some kind of natural inclination to pick the right combination of spices to make a dish come alive. She would love to pursue this dream of being a chef; so when her high school begins a new senior elective on culinary arts, she has to get involved. This is a wonderfully sweet story of a young girl with a two year old, a passion for food, and the support of her grandmother, enough to enable her to have a chance at a the kind of life seemingly impossible. The narrative takes place during the course of one school year and includes memorable supporting characters, including her gay friend Angelic, and the new good looking transfer, Malachi. This novel was selected for the D.C. Reads program and hopefully will bring a new, larger audience to this talented author. NYT
Emoni’s story is a gift especially to readers looking for a counternarrative to young mothers of color positioned as tragic products of family dysfunction. Some 20 years ago, that notion was popularized in Sapphire’s “Push,” and it has fermented in popular culture. While Emoni and her family have experienced pain, they are defined by resilience and perseverance. With its judicious depth and brilliant blazes of writing that simmer, then nourish, “With the Fire on High” is literary soul food.
Some lines:
The world is a turntable that never stops spinning; as humans we merely choose the tracks we want to sit out and the ones that inspire us to dance.
I scoop some fries into a carton. The salt crystals gleam on them like some rapper’s diamond-crusted chain.
The fake sweet smile she was wearing has cannonballed clear off her face into a pool of confusion. Is Malachi asking me on a date? In front of Pretty Leslie?
“This one, the real smile you have on right now. Almost as if you’re choosing to give a sunlit middle finger to this fucked-up world.”
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LibraryThing member Perednia
A lovely book about a fantastic young woman, her family and friends. Emoni's senior year in high school is filled with challenge, especially balancing school work with caring for her baby, even with her grandmother's help. A chance to do what she loves best, being in a kitchen, creating, may open
Loved the positive, strong lead character and the portrayals of those most important in her life, including an interesting new guy.
An excellent YA novel by the author of The Poet X.
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up her life to be her best self. If she can balance all the other things going on in her life and her fear of going for it. Loved the positive, strong lead character and the portrayals of those most important in her life, including an interesting new guy.
An excellent YA novel by the author of The Poet X.
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
LOVED LOVED LOVED this book! I loved the characters, the layout, the recipes, the plot, and that beautiful ass cover. How can you not pick up this book with a gorgeous cover like this? Emoni has a lot on her plate. Not only is she a senior trying to figure out what her future after high school will
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be; but she lives at home with her grandma and two year old daughter, works part time, and tries to excel in class. Emoni's real passion is her daughter and cooking. She can whip up recipes that will make the strongest men cry, and whenever she is overwhelmed she feels safest in the kitchen. When her high school offers an immersive culinary class that will have a week long study abroad component in Spain, Emoni is torn. How can she afford to go and how can she leave Babygirl alone for a week? Is wanting to take this class selfish of her? To make matters worse, that good looking boy Malachi is in that class. She doesn't have time for boys and their nonsense. A wonderful book about taking risks, putting family first, and realizing that just because your path doesn't look the same as someone else; doesn't mean it is any better or worse. A truly wonderful book that will resonate with many readers. Show Less
LibraryThing member rgruberhighschool
RGG: Fantastic read. Emoni is a hero achieving her dreams. Treatment of teen with a baby feels honest although the family support may be idealistic and misleading. Romance is fun although maybe unnecessary. Reading Interest: YA
LibraryThing member rgruberhighschool
RGG: Fantastic read. Emoni is a hero achieving her dreams. Treatment of teen with a baby feels honest although the family support may be idealistic and misleading. Romance is fun although maybe unnecessary. Reading Interest: YA
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
I didn’t think I’d like With the fire on high because it started a little slow for me and then it got lost under a pile of other books and I forgot about it for a little while. When I finally picked it back up, Emoni, her daughter Babygirl (Emma) and her friend who might be more than that,
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Malachi were still quite vivid in my memory which told me that her story HAD drawn me in since I had no need to reread... I finished 2/3 of the book in record time and quite enjoyed the story. I haven’t read a lot of stories featuring an unwed young mother as the main character, but I found Emoni’s love and concern for her daughter and her abuela to be believable and heart wrenching at the same time. I also loved the descriptions of spices and foods; made me want to dive into the kitchen and start cooking Show Less
LibraryThing member flying_monkeys
A heartwarming story with a positive message. Empowerment with a capital E.
It's refreshing to read a contemporary story, with hints of magical realism, starring a Black teen mom doing what she needed to do to make a good life for her daughter - a daughter she didn't view as a burden; a daughter who
I LOVED how Acevedo shows teen moms aren't on a one-way trip to ruin. Many people view teen pregnancy as the end of the young mother's life, the death of her goals and dreams. When, really, it's only a detour, and sometimes you can discover some amazing things when you're forced to take a different route. (Granted, there are many teen moms who don't have the support and opportunities Emoni has in this story. But that's a whole other story.) I LOVED how Acevedo shows Emoni thinking outside the box to reach her end goal. She doesn't do what everyone tells her she "should" do; she does what she thinks best for her and Emma, what she feels in her gut is the best way forward on her journey.
Highly recommended.
(I wish I could've handed this to my friends who were teen moms when we were in high school. They weren't like the melodramatic narcissists you see on TV. They were just young women doing their best by their kids and themselves. Despite guidance counselors telling them they'd never amount to anything "now" and wanting to quarantine them from the rest of the school... like they were contagious. They didn't all rise to the challenge, of course, but two did, and I wonder what the others could've achieved if they'd had less judgement and more support.)
It's refreshing to read a contemporary story, with hints of magical realism, starring a Black teen mom doing what she needed to do to make a good life for her daughter - a daughter she didn't view as a burden; a daughter who
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she adored and loved - AND living true to her dreams and goals all while going through the struggle of new motherhood within low income limitations. WITH the support of the grandmother who raised her; a grandmother who makes it clear Emoni is the mother and Emoni is raising Emma - 'Buela is there to help, not do the job. WITH the support of a best friend who is a true friend. And Emoni is a true friend to her. And with the opportunity to date a solid, trustworthy young man, if SHE chooses to.I LOVED how Acevedo shows teen moms aren't on a one-way trip to ruin. Many people view teen pregnancy as the end of the young mother's life, the death of her goals and dreams. When, really, it's only a detour, and sometimes you can discover some amazing things when you're forced to take a different route. (Granted, there are many teen moms who don't have the support and opportunities Emoni has in this story. But that's a whole other story.) I LOVED how Acevedo shows Emoni thinking outside the box to reach her end goal. She doesn't do what everyone tells her she "should" do; she does what she thinks best for her and Emma, what she feels in her gut is the best way forward on her journey.
Highly recommended.
(I wish I could've handed this to my friends who were teen moms when we were in high school. They weren't like the melodramatic narcissists you see on TV. They were just young women doing their best by their kids and themselves. Despite guidance counselors telling them they'd never amount to anything "now" and wanting to quarantine them from the rest of the school... like they were contagious. They didn't all rise to the challenge, of course, but two did, and I wonder what the others could've achieved if they'd had less judgement and more support.)
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LibraryThing member lilibrarian
Emoni Santiago, a senior in high school, loves to cook. She also loves her two year old daughter. Being a mom means she has more responsibilities and less freedom than most high school students. Yet as a senior, her life is changing quickly and in major ways. When she joins a culinary arts class in
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school, and gets the chance to travel to Spain with her class, she learns to rely on herself to make the decisions that are best for her. Show Less
LibraryThing member Herenya
Emoni Santiago has the opportunity to take a culinary arts class in her final year of high school.
This is a vivid look at Emoni’s world. It was particularly interesting to read a story about a teen parent which doesn’t focus on pregnancy or babies. Emoni has a two-year old daughter which
I try not to be self-conscious about how little Spanish I know, but some days it feels like not speaking Spanish automatically makes me a Bad Boricua. One who’s forgotten her roots.
But on the flip side, folks wonder if I’m Black American enough. As if my Puerto Rican side cancels out any Blackness [...] This stuff is complicated. But it’s like I’m some long-division problem folks keep wanting to parcel into pieces, and they don’t hear me when I say: I don’t reduce, homies. The whole of me is Black. The whole of me is whole.
This is a vivid look at Emoni’s world. It was particularly interesting to read a story about a teen parent which doesn’t focus on pregnancy or babies. Emoni has a two-year old daughter which
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affects so many things -- Emoni’s relationship with her grandmother, her finances, her hesitations about college and dating. But what drives this story is Emoni discovering how to approach her passion for cooking with discipline, and what that means for her future.I try not to be self-conscious about how little Spanish I know, but some days it feels like not speaking Spanish automatically makes me a Bad Boricua. One who’s forgotten her roots.
But on the flip side, folks wonder if I’m Black American enough. As if my Puerto Rican side cancels out any Blackness [...] This stuff is complicated. But it’s like I’m some long-division problem folks keep wanting to parcel into pieces, and they don’t hear me when I say: I don’t reduce, homies. The whole of me is Black. The whole of me is whole.
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LibraryThing member SBoren
I purchased this book from @bookofthemonth to read. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo. 17 year old Emoni Santiago lives in Philadelphia with her daughter and grandmother. Trying to finish high school and navigate life with friends and an ex
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boyfriend who is also the baby's father she struggles. Money is short and what little she has she works so hard to hold onto, but her luck begins to change when the Charter School she goes to offers new electives and one is a culinary class. Emoni's love for kitchen flavor begins to steer her in directions she never thought she would go. A great coming of age story with a plot and recipes that will keep you turning the page until the end! Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Amazon, Twitter @jason_stacie, Goodreads/StacieBoren and my blog at readsbystacie.com Show Less
LibraryThing member streamsong
At age fourteen Emoni Santiago became pregnant.
Now at seventeen, her two year old daughter is the center of her life. She lives with her grandmother, whom she calls ‘Buela. Buela has put her own retired life on hold to help raise her great granddaughter, whom she also loves dearly. Buela is
Emoni has always loved cooking. She can see ingredients and envision possibilities and mouthwatering recipes. She has longed to be a chef.
Now, though, she feels those dreams must be on hold, along with relationships. Even with her grandmother’s support, finishing high school while raising her daughter are daunting challenges. She struggles with being labeled as sexually loose since she was pregnant so young.
But at the beginning of her senior year, the high school announces a new cooking class, with the emphasis on Spanish food and a trip to Spain at the end of the year. There’s also a new guy in school, whose interest in Emoni is obvious.
This is a young adult story about never giving up on dreams, no matter how complicated the circumstances may be.
May young people reading this see a way forward to their dreams - and I wish them all, a wonderful supportive ‘Buela in their lives!
Now at seventeen, her two year old daughter is the center of her life. She lives with her grandmother, whom she calls ‘Buela. Buela has put her own retired life on hold to help raise her great granddaughter, whom she also loves dearly. Buela is
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physical and emotional support for them all.Emoni has always loved cooking. She can see ingredients and envision possibilities and mouthwatering recipes. She has longed to be a chef.
Now, though, she feels those dreams must be on hold, along with relationships. Even with her grandmother’s support, finishing high school while raising her daughter are daunting challenges. She struggles with being labeled as sexually loose since she was pregnant so young.
But at the beginning of her senior year, the high school announces a new cooking class, with the emphasis on Spanish food and a trip to Spain at the end of the year. There’s also a new guy in school, whose interest in Emoni is obvious.
This is a young adult story about never giving up on dreams, no matter how complicated the circumstances may be.
May young people reading this see a way forward to their dreams - and I wish them all, a wonderful supportive ‘Buela in their lives!
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LibraryThing member BarnesBookshelf
I loved the shortness of the chapters, and how each had a title that meant something about what was in the chapter. I really want to try some of the food mentioned in the novel. Also, not a good thing to read while you're hungry, because it just makes you hungrier.
LibraryThing member bookwyrmm
Unlike any YA story I have ever read in the absolute best way possible.
LibraryThing member lflareads
Last summer, I was engrossed in Poet X and Elizabeth Acevedo has not disappointed with her new YA novel, With the Fire On High. I was thoroughly pleased with this story of Emoni. She not only lost her mother at birth, her father is in and out of her life, but ‘Buela is there for Emoni and her
Emoni is a senior in high school and as others are planning for college or trade school, she is focused on a job to support her little girl. Her Buela is going to doctor’s appointments, Emma’s father is adding social and family pressure, and her father is in Puerto Rico helping those in need, as he runs his barber shop. Emoni loves to cook and has a natural talent with her dish creations.
Will Emoni find her way? Will ‘Buela be okay? What is best for Emma and Emoni?
Highly recommend this YA novel for our secondary ELA students! A story of determination when faced with challenges.
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daughter, Emma. Emoni is a senior in high school and as others are planning for college or trade school, she is focused on a job to support her little girl. Her Buela is going to doctor’s appointments, Emma’s father is adding social and family pressure, and her father is in Puerto Rico helping those in need, as he runs his barber shop. Emoni loves to cook and has a natural talent with her dish creations.
Will Emoni find her way? Will ‘Buela be okay? What is best for Emma and Emoni?
Highly recommend this YA novel for our secondary ELA students! A story of determination when faced with challenges.
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LibraryThing member SRQlover
This was the second book I read by this author. I absolutely loved it! Yes, it is a YA book and yes it talks about a teen mother but it also shows a strong willed mother who will go to what ever lengths she needs to go to be able to provide a life for her daughter while following her dreams.
LibraryThing member oldandnewbooksmell
After becoming pregnant with Babygirl freshman year, Emoni Santiago has had to make a lot of tough decisions based on doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela. The one place she can let everything go and not have to focus on anything is in the kitchen, where she adds something
Once again, I'm in love with another Elizabeth Acevedo's book. I can't speak highly of her writing enough. This novel is written differently than the other two books I've read of hers, The Poet X , and Clap When You Land. Whereas those two were written in Poetry form, With the Fire on High is written in shorter chapter form. Though not to say these chapters don't have Acevedo's own lyrical, poetic writing in them. Emoni's voice is still very authentic.
Acevedo captured the life of a teenage mother - juggling school, work, motherhood, her Ex and his family, and her dreams. I also loved Emoni's relationship with her abuela and their connection. She knows abuela never really had an "empty nester" break and is very understanding, even if she feels extremely guilty about it all. Plus, 'Buela is such a badass, Emoni has a great female role model. I can't forget to put in a good word about Angelica though! So strong and supportive of Emoni no matter what - those two will make it through anything together.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a sweet, easy read about a hardworking, focused high school senior female.
"Although my food still doesn't give me any memories, it has always been looking back; it's infused with the people I come from. But it's also a way for me to look forward: to watch the recipes that from my roots transform, grow, and feed the hungriest places inside of me... Although I don't have all the answers for what is coming next, I can finally see a glimpse of where I, Emoni Santiago, am going."
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magical to everything she cooks. She dreams of working as a chef after she graduates high school here soon, but Emoni knows that's not practical to pursue when she has other obligations. Yet, when the culinary arts class starts back up again her senior year, she adds it to her schedule, and once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let the magic of her talent speak for itself.Once again, I'm in love with another Elizabeth Acevedo's book. I can't speak highly of her writing enough. This novel is written differently than the other two books I've read of hers, The Poet X , and Clap When You Land. Whereas those two were written in Poetry form, With the Fire on High is written in shorter chapter form. Though not to say these chapters don't have Acevedo's own lyrical, poetic writing in them. Emoni's voice is still very authentic.
Acevedo captured the life of a teenage mother - juggling school, work, motherhood, her Ex and his family, and her dreams. I also loved Emoni's relationship with her abuela and their connection. She knows abuela never really had an "empty nester" break and is very understanding, even if she feels extremely guilty about it all. Plus, 'Buela is such a badass, Emoni has a great female role model. I can't forget to put in a good word about Angelica though! So strong and supportive of Emoni no matter what - those two will make it through anything together.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a sweet, easy read about a hardworking, focused high school senior female.
"Although my food still doesn't give me any memories, it has always been looking back; it's infused with the people I come from. But it's also a way for me to look forward: to watch the recipes that from my roots transform, grow, and feed the hungriest places inside of me... Although I don't have all the answers for what is coming next, I can finally see a glimpse of where I, Emoni Santiago, am going."
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LibraryThing member reader1009
diverse teen fiction (black Puerto Rican American teen mother with natural talent for cooking thinks about life after graduation from high school and how to balance her family needs with college/job/lovelife)
poetic, real, intelligent prose from award-winning author E. Azevedo. More, please.
poetic, real, intelligent prose from award-winning author E. Azevedo. More, please.
LibraryThing member bookworm12
Emoni was only 14 when she got pregnant. Now three years later she is working hard to balance being a mom, finishing her high school education, and pursuing her love of cooking. She's a student at a Philly charter school and when a new student transfers in and joins her culinary arts class it
I adored Emoni's relationships with her Abuela who raised her, her best friend who has stood by her through thick and thin, and her daughter. Emoni is strong, prideful, ambitious, uncertain, and loyal. Her character was so well-developed that it was a joy to watch her discover her talents and opportunities.
“And sometimes focusing on what you can control is the only way to lessen the pang in your chest when you think about the things you can't.”
“the fear you have for someone else’s life always eclipses the fear you have for your own.”
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throws her world off balance. I adored Emoni's relationships with her Abuela who raised her, her best friend who has stood by her through thick and thin, and her daughter. Emoni is strong, prideful, ambitious, uncertain, and loyal. Her character was so well-developed that it was a joy to watch her discover her talents and opportunities.
“And sometimes focusing on what you can control is the only way to lessen the pang in your chest when you think about the things you can't.”
“the fear you have for someone else’s life always eclipses the fear you have for your own.”
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LibraryThing member bookwren
I didn't want this fine novel to end! Emoni felt like a friend I wanted to keep in touch with, to learn more about her life and those around her. I loved her honesty, caring, determination, and responsible nature. Plus, she was fun to be with, especially when she was cooking. I would love to try
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Emoni's cooking! As one chef said of her, she has a magical ability with spices, knowing intuitively which to choose. I like to cook, but I need to have a recipe, at least to begin, and I tend to use the same spices, but now I may try experimenting more. Her best friend, Angela, is a hoot, and kept Emoni laughing and rooted in the here and now. Elizabeth Acevedo, thank you for creating such a wonderful character and writing such a fine story. Your writing is beautiful and Emoni's strong voice is incredible, with its Philly flavor, pride in her heritage, and honest assessments of herself. I look forward to reading more of your work. Show Less
LibraryThing member thereserose5
The main character's voice was so strong and bright. Just a really enjoyable read!
Awards
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (Fiction — 2019)
Audie Award (Finalist — Young Adult — 2020)
Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2021)
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee — 2022)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 9-12 — 2021)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2021)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2022)
Gateway Readers Award (Nominee — 2022)
Green Mountain Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
Garden State Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
Nevada Young Readers' Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2023)
Thumbs Up! Award (Top Ten — 2020)
Oregon Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2022)
Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2022)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Nominee — 2021)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Recommended — 2023)
Arkansas Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
California Young Reader Medal (Nominee — 2023)
Blue Hen Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Honor — 2022)
The Flume: NH Teen Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2021)
NCSLMA Battle of the Books (High School — 2025)
Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award (Finalist — 2020)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — High School — 2022)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2021)
Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers (Nominee — 2021)
Three Stars Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2020)
North Star YA Award (Nominee — 2021)
NPR: Books We Love (2019)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Top Ten — 2020)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (High School — 2021)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Selection — 2020)
Tayshas High School Reading List (Top Ten — 2020)
Nerdy Book Award (Young Adult Literature — 2019)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Teen — 2019)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Teens (Fiction — 2019)
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (Selection — 2020)
Penn GSE's Best Books for Young Readers (Selection — Young Adult — 2019)
Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults (Top Ten — 2020)
Just One More Page Recommendation List (Young Adult — 2020)
Project LIT Book Selection (Young Adult — 2020)
OYAN Book Rave (2020)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019-05-07
Physical description
400 p.; 5.5 inches
ISBN
006266283X / 9780062662835