Shifting the teen pregnancy narrative
Most media treats teen parenthood as either a life-ending tragedy or a punchline. With the Fire on High does neither. Emoni Santiago has a daughter, a job, and a grandmother who keeps her grounded, but she also has ambition. The book doesn't spend its time litigating her past mistakes; it focuses on her future. This is a crucial distinction for parents to understand. It’s not a "scared straight" book designed to warn kids about the dangers of sex. Instead, it’s a story about a girl who already has a heavy load and is trying to decide if she’s allowed to want something for herself.
If your teen is used to stories where a "mistake" defines a character's entire existence, this will be a revelation. Emoni is a talented chef, a loyal friend, and a student navigating a high school culinary trip to Spain. The baby is a central part of her life, but she isn't the only part.
The "magic" in the kitchen
The most distinctive part of Elizabeth Acevedo’s writing here is the touch of magical realism. When Emoni cooks, her food has the power to evoke specific, intense emotions in the people who eat it. It’s reminiscent of Like Water for Chocolate, but grounded in the modern reality of a Philadelphia kitchen.
This element makes the book feel vibrant rather than gritty. While the story deals with real-world friction—tight budgets, an absentee father, the struggle to find childcare—the cooking sequences provide a sense of wonder. If your kid is into The Bear or enjoys TikTok cooking culture, they’ll appreciate how Acevedo describes the sensory experience of a kitchen. It treats cooking as a legitimate art and a viable career path, which is a great pivot for readers who might be tired of the standard "college-or-bust" YA tropes.
Format and flow
If your teen already read The Poet X, they might be surprised to find that this novel is written in prose rather than verse. However, Acevedo’s voice remains lyrical and fast-paced. The chapters are short, often feeling like snapshots of Emoni’s life, which makes it an easy "one more chapter" read for kids who usually struggle to stay engaged with 400-page novels.
This is a cornerstone title for anyone building books with characters of color into a home library. It tackles Afro-Latina identity and the complexities of a multigenerational household with a level of authenticity that feels lived-in, not performative. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for coming-of-age books by women of color that feel contemporary and relevant to the pressures high schoolers face today.
Why it sticks
The reason this book won the California Young Reader Medal isn't just because it’s "important"—it’s because Emoni is relatable. She’s prickly, she’s defensive, and she’s incredibly protective of her family. Parents should know that while the "teen mom" label might suggest a certain kind of drama, the real heart of the book is about the transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s about the moment you realize your parents (or grandparents) are just people, and that you have to start making choices that don't have a safety net. It’s a mature read, not because of the "content," but because of the emotional intelligence it asks of its audience.
