Page to Post: With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

In the Page to Post series, the Teen Book Guild spotlights the books that caught our attention after scoping out an entire shelf of titles in the Winter Park Library. From that first spark of interest to how we really felt after reading, you’ll get our honest take—no sugarcoating, just real talk from teens who love books (or sometimes don’t!).

If you’re looking for your next great read or just want to see if our choice was worth it, stick around. Let’s dive into the world of stories, one shelf and one book at a time.

Title: With the Fire on High
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Chosen by: Grace H.

If I had to pick a genre for this book:

YA Contemporary Fiction

Why I picked it:

I've read and enjoyed Elizabeth Acevedo's previous work, and I also really loved the cover.

Brief synopsis (no spoilers!):

With the Fire on High follows Emoni Santiago, a talented chef from Philadelphia, as she navigates the challenges of teen motherhood and school. Emoni relieves much of her stress through cooking and dreams of attending culinary school to create a better future for herself and her daughter.

Swoon Factor:

3 - "Cute and Cozy" - Sweet moments like hand-holding, blushing, or a first kiss. The romance is warm and heart-fluttering but still innocent and light.

Rating my choice:

4 - "I'm Hooked" - I couldn't put it down. The book is exciting, emotional, or meaningful, and I'm fully invested in what happens next.

My take on this book:

I really enjoyed the prose in this novel, and it reminded me of Acevedo's beautiful writing style in her verse novels. Additionally, I really enjoyed the lush descriptions of Emoni's cooking throughout the novel, and they give a clear window into Emoni's culture and her greatest passion.