This week, I’m reviewing one of the best books for high school English! This one surprised me, but I feel like even the most reluctant readers would love this book.
On my search to find some of the best books for high school English students, I found this gem! It’s one of those books that I read in 24 hours and just could not put down because of the way it made me feel. Let me introduce you to a book that will give you a taste of hope, family ties, and overcoming the struggles that attempt to define us.
Title: With the Fire on High
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
“…a dazzling novel in prose about a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to feed the soul that keeps her fire burning bright.”
Genre: Young adult, contemporary fiction, contemporary, realistic fiction, family
Rating: 4.5 stars (Ya’ll know that I’m picky with my 5 stars!)
Description
With a sprinkle of magical realism, a dash of dreaming, and a whole lot of heart, Emoni Santiago narrates her year as a high school senior. After she became pregnant her freshman year of high school, Emoni had to reevaluate the plan for her life. She sets rules for herself and tries to forget her future goals which she has deemed as “impossible.” As she navigates school, life, and taking care of both her Abuela and her child, Emoni comes to realize that the responsibilities of life can leave little room for hope.
Because Emoni’s mother has passed away and her father is a transient figure in her life, her Abuela has raised her to be a determined, head-strong young lady. But Emoni has a talent that everyone gets to enjoy. Emoni’s has the gift of cooking meals so delectable that they awaken a warmth and magic inside every person lucky enough to experience them. When Emoni’s school announces that they will have a culinary cooking class which culminates into a week-long apprenticeship in Spain, she fears that what she once thought of as a life plan is now another disappointment.
With the Fire on High is separated into distinct sections. To increase the enchanting feeling that the novel provides, recipes are included in every section of the book. The recipes require more than just a little salt and pepper; they call for the spice of life as Emoni cooks up a story that leaves readers hungry for more. As the story unfolds, the reader is exposed to Emoni’s various hardships that result from teen pregnancy, poverty, and broken families. However, Emoni teaches readers, both young and old, that where there is resilience, there is room to dream bigger.
Memorable Quote
“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.”
Why I loved it
This book was not normally something that I would choose to read, but it was recommended for me based on my Goodreads profile. I love this novel because it is full of culture and life. It literally made me feel the warmth of family and Emoni’s treasured relationships. The imagery is ABSOLUTELY incredible, and Emoni details her feelings and struggles so beautifully that I actually felt a pit in my stomach or the sting of tears (which I’m not too proud to admit.)
Normally, I strongly avoided recommending a text that involves a teenage pregnancy. I don’t like how it’s often glossed over or made to seem easy by many authors. Elizabeth Acevedo did an incredible job of showcasing true motherly love and the joy that comes along with having children, but this didn’t overshadow the fact that Emoni STRUGGLED because of having a child at such a young age.
This was a super quick read and the details were so rich and vibrant that I could taste Emoni’s cooking! This is a great read about “real life,” what it means to be a mother, and how sacrifice doesn’t always mean that we’ve lost.
Note
On Amazon, it says that this text is recommended for students 13-18. However, I’d probably reserve this text for the 10th-12th grade.
Sketchy Stuff
Clearly, this text tackles the difficult topic of teenage pregnancy. Because of this, sex is discussed on a few occasions, but it’s never anything pornographic or intensely detailed. One character questions whether she’s even ready to have sex. There’s also some drinking – sangria, wine, beer – remember, it’s a foodie’s dream book! Also, some curse words are used sparingly, although there’s never an F word.
What it would be great for teaching
- Self Respect
- Diction/Word Choice
- Imagery
- Making Goals for Yourself
- Figurative Language + Literary Analysis
Where to read it
I read SO many books for FREE through my favorite apps: Libby and Hoopla! I actually listened to the audiobook version (which was GREAT!) on the Hoopla App. If you can, listen to the audiobook version of With the Fire on High because the author narrates it!
When you read With the FIre on High, you HAVE to let me know what you think! In the meantime, you can check out some other fun reading suggestions here! You can also find my review from last week here! Check back next week as I detail more of the best books for high school English!
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