With the Fire on High

by Elizabeth Acevedo

[nannah]

I have to admit, it’s the cover that drew me to this one. How do you resist art and cover design like that? You don’t!

Content warnings:
- pedophilia (the father of the protagonist’s baby pursued her when she was 14 and he was 18. The book goes into some detail into how they met, their relationship, and their sexual relationship)
- abuse (related to above: he’s controlling and manipulative)
- Rromani slur

Representation:
- the protagonist and her family are black and Puerto Rican
- almost all of the secondary characters are black as well
- the protagonist's best friend is a lesbian

Emoni is a high school student and a single mom with only her abuela around to lend a hand. She’s struggling with grades and doesn’t have time for any extracurriculars (school-wise or otherwise), but at home in the kitchen is her space to let go of all stressors. Her hands there have magic, and a little bit of that magic goes into everything she cooks. When Emoni sees there’s a new culinary arts class at her school that includes a trip to Spain, her heart leaps even though she knows she can’t afford it. Can’t afford it and can’t afford to dream of becoming an actual chef. With a gift like hers, however, nothing is impossible.

As you might guess, food is another main character of this book. There are little recipes of Emoni’s placed after every new section, food descriptions are lovely and evocative, and food is largely what brings people together and what helps Emoni sort out her issues. But I think what I loved most about this was the family dynamics. Every scene with Emoni and her abuela (and her babygirl, of course) was so beautifully written -- as well the scenes with Emoni’s father, which are mostly written as a phone conversation or ones with her mother, which are mostly written as memories shared with an aunt through email conversations. Food connects all of these moments, but I feel like it takes a step back.

There’s also incredible delicacy and warmth when it comes to Emoni and the struggles -- and the joys -- of being a teen mother. I read in the acknowledgements that the author got help from an actual teen mom for this, and you can tell. There are things that just aren’t noticed when you aren’t or don’t know someone who has gone through things that are present here (especially when it comes to her abuela needing space to “be herself again and not just a caretaker”). I bet the realism and representation is really appreciated.

But the love triangle with Malachi seemed forced (mostly because Malachi himself seemed to be so reluctant to be a part of it), and I didn’t like Emoni’s dislike of Pretty Leslie -- and other “pretty” girls like her who wear plenty of makeup and have long, painted nails -- in a cliched, outdated “I’m not like other girls” kind of way. There was also the fact Emoni was literally perfect at cooking and never seemed to improve or struggle or learn new things because her gift was just That Perfect. I understand all the growing was done outside of food, but also … all of her problems were solved because she was naturally gifted (just like her best friend, who was also Naturally Perfectly Gifted at art and graphic design). Speaking of the best friend, there was a scene where after she came out, Emoni immediately asked if she was nice to her because she had a crush on her. I'm really, really sick of seeing this as a lesbian myself (and having gone through it). While I understand Emoni's own insecurities in this scene, I wish I didn't have to see it again.

But despite those issues (and the abuse from Tyrone which I felt didn’t get a proper resolution mostly because I have issues of my own), this really is a great YA read. The writing is wonderful most of the time, the characters are bright and play off each other well, and the whole thing leaves you feeling warm and loved.