With the Fire on High: From the winner of the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2019
As seen:
By Elizabeth Acevedo
avg rating
7 reviews
‘A delicious, evocative story’ THE GUARDIAN
From the author of THE POET X comes a sumptuous prose novel, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas’ On the Come Up, Justin Reynolds’ Opposite of Always and Nicola Yoon
Ever since she got pregnant, seventeen-year-old Emoni’s life has been about making the tough decisions – doing what has to be done for her young daughter and her grandmother. Keeping her head down at school, trying not to get caught up with new boy Malachi. The one place she can let everything go is in the kitchen, where she has magical hands – whipping up extraordinary food beloved by everyone.
Emoni wants to be a chef more than anything, but she knows it’s pointless to pursue the impossible. There are rules she has to play by. And yet, once she starts cooking, and gets that fire on high, she sees that her drive to feed will feed her soul and dreams too. And anything is possible.
‘With its judicious depth and brilliant blazes of writing that simmer, then nourish, With the Fire on High is literary soul food’ New York Times
TweetReviews
This book is definitely one of my absolute favourites! Emoni is not the type of character to gripe or act irrational. She has a great head on her shoulders and I learnt plenty from her. Her sense of humour is what kept me reading and her emotional intelligence is what kept me thinking about the book long after I finished it.
It was interesting I would recommend this to 13+. It gave you tips on cooking which was good
I loved Emoni.The fact that she liked cooking and was proud of her nationality.
This book was an amazing book. I felt it was very brave of how Emoni tried so hard to achieve her dream and stay strong when she'd gone through so much like having a baby at 14. I think the aim of the book was to show the reader that nothing is impossible. I thought it was also great how she managed to look after her baby and work but also go to school. I think this book really inspired me to always try my best and to believe there is always hope...
I would recommend this book to someone who wants to be a hair salonist when they are older like me
This was just such a pleasing read, I was routing for Emoni the entire way. She is a strong female protagonist that demonstrates that through perseverance, courage and determination you can do anything you put your mind too. I also fell in love with her Abuela and the gentle nature of Malachi.
This is one that I will be raving about to my students for a very long time!
This was a lovely story about a teenage girl who loves cooking and would love to become a chef when she becomes an adult. A well-written book with great vocabulary. I would recommend this book to 12 year olds and above - no younger!
