With the Fire on High

By: Elizabeth Acevedo

Narrated by: Elizabeth Acevedo

A 2020 Audie Awards winner - narration by author

A 2020 Audie Awards finalist - young adult

From the New York Times best-selling 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.

Don't miss the audiobook, read by Elizabeth Acevedo, the beloved author and narrator of The Poet X, winner of an Odyssey Honor and an AudioFile Earphones Award winner.

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.

©2019 Elizabeth Acevedo (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Author Elizabeth Acevedo sounds natural and authentic as Emoni, an immensely likable Philadelphia high school senior with a 2-year-old daughter and a gift for cooking. In both her writing and her narration, Acevedo warmly depicts the loving and supportive people in Emoni's life.... This delicious feel-good story will have listeners rooting for Emoni as she figures out the next steps on her life path." (AudioFile Magazine)

Real book

Tells story about what is real in our teens.Our teens deal with this and don't know what to do withsex and life after children

Loved the book and the recording!

This is one of the best books I have experienced. The accent was wonderful and I loved the recipes and the touches of Spanish. As a retired Spanish teacher (who studied in Spain) it was an important and well done book. My Grandaughter read it in 6th grade. Her birth mother was 15 when she was born. She is Native American. To read about a strong and spirited young woman who accepted and honored her responsibilities shows her more than ten abuelas can teach her. Thank you.

Love It

It reminded me of Sister's on the Homefront. Having both young ladies learning and making better decisions and family supporting them.

Pure Pleasure to Read

Elizabeth Acevedo is one of the most beautiful, genuine, lyrical and real writers. I dive into all her books and this one was no different.

Amazing! Funny, beautiful and makes you hungry!

This was amazing! This is one of the few times I enjoyed the author narrating her own book. She really brought the characters to life and knew the right pacing for every scene.

I loved the description of food in this book! I was salivating so many times. I liked the recipes in between parts of the book; "Serves: you're heart on a rough night" Loved the little details like that!

Gah! I don't know how to describe how much I loved this! It was witty, it made me hungry, it made me happy and angry and sad and all the good, deep feelings you want in a book. If you're considering it, my advice is to go for it!

Amazing!!

I loved this book! I felt hungry listening to the recepies but satisfied at the end!!!

This book takes me back

I am never one for long reviews but coming from a former Philadelphia School District Culinary Arts students this book hit home. She tells a story that is reflects my life. I have listened to this book over and over because it reminds me of the days I attended Bok Tech and struggled to figure out what would be next in my life. Funny thing is I applied to the same Drexel Program she mentioned in her book. 😊

Jessica L.

LOVED every moment of this book. 💜 Elizabeth Acevedo is my favorite author of 2019. So glad I discovered her work.

Delicious

Very well performed book keep me anxious and hungry for the next chapter. Loved the way she related feelings and situations to the food she chose to cook. I love the accent the book was read in especially the Spanish language.

Highly Recommended

Elizabeth,
i am praying that your books get picked up by a big fancy film director and made into a movie! Your books, the stories, the literal depictions of your characters are on point! With The Fire On High is definitely receiving 5 stars! I didn't want to be interrupted at all while hearing the audiobook on Audible!! From their personalities down to the locks on their heads, and each character's journey next to Imani really makes you reflect on what your journey looks like and who's by your side! i feel connected to Imani in so many ways! this is a story that many teens and young adults can relate to when deciding which route to take after high school! Elizabeth narrates gracefully as each word, each syllable, each emotion rolls perfectly out her mouth with the accent that reminds me of my afrolatino roots and all my family and friends back home! Your readers will live through Imani's insecurities, struggles and strengths, and reflect on themselves! When you read this story will cry, laugh, cross your eyebrows, suck your teeth, gasp and cheer as every scene unfolds! WTFOH is definitely a highly recommended, enjoyable read! Thank you!