With the Fire on High

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of racism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What struck you most about Emoni’s approach to balancing her dreams with her reality as a teenage mother? How does her journey compare to those in Acevedo’s other coming-of-age works like The Poet X or Clap When You Land?

2. Emoni describes herself as having “magical hands” when it comes to cooking. How fully does Acevedo convince you that Emoni possesses this special gift throughout the novel?

3. How satisfying did you find Emoni’s final decision to pursue culinary school part-time while working at Café Sorrel? Does this resolution feel realistic given all the challenges she faces throughout her senior year?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Emoni faces judgment from others about her teenage pregnancy, with people viewing her as a “cautionary tale.” Have you witnessed or experienced situations when someone was reduced to a single aspect of their identity? 

2. Food serves as Emoni’s primary means of expressing love and care for others. What activities or gestures do you use to show affection for the people in your life?

3. Emoni describes Fairhill as both “sweet as the freshest berry” and “sour as curdled milk” (87)—a place she’s attached to but also wants to escape. Have you ever felt conflicted feelings about your neighborhood? 

4. Emoni struggles with others’ expectations about her racial and cultural identity, with people wanting to pigeonhole her into one category. Have you ever felt pressure to fit into others’ narrow definitions of who you should be? 

5. What does true maturity mean to you? How do different characters in the novel demonstrate or fail to demonstrate this quality, and which examples resonated most with your understanding of growing up?

6. What factors do you think should influence how parents name their children? How does Emoni’s reasoning for choosing the name Emma reflect her hopes and fears for her daughter’s future?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Throughout the novel, Emoni encounters various forms of prejudice related to her race, ethnicity, and status as a young mother. How do these experiences reflect broader societal attitudes you’ve observed in your own community or the media?

2. How does colonialism continue to impact cultural identity today? What insights did you gain from Julio’s perspective on Puerto Rican history and Emoni’s reaction to the Christopher Columbus statue in Sevilla?

3. The novel presents teenage pregnancy through a nuanced lens, showing both the genuine challenges and the deep love Emoni feels for Emma. How does Acevedo’s portrayal challenge or reinforce common narratives about teen mothers in society?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does Acevedo use the motif of smell and scent throughout the novel? What role does this sensory detail play in Emoni’s relationships and her connection to memories?

2. What purpose do Emoni’s recipes serve beyond providing cooking instructions? How do these personal touches at the beginning of each section function as both literal guides and metaphorical representations of the novel’s themes?

3. Emoni’s initial conflict with Chef Ayden centers on following recipes versus cooking intuitively. How does this tension between rules and creativity reflect the broader theme of self-creation that runs throughout the novel?

4. The novel moves between Emoni’s neighborhood in Philadelphia and her experience in Sevilla, Spain. How do these contrasting settings shape your understanding of Emoni’s growth and her evolving sense of identity?

5. What effect does Emoni’s use of colloquial language have on your reading experience? How does Acevedo’s choice to incorporate the vernacular of Black Philadelphia and Spanish-influenced slang into Emoni’s voice shape your connection to her as a narrator?

6. Consider the evolution of Emoni’s relationships with the father figures in her life: Julio and Tyrone. How does each man’s journey toward greater responsibility mirror Emoni’s own path to maturity?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Design a cookbook that captures Emoni’s approach to cooking. What additional recipes would you include, and how would you present them to reflect her personality and cultural background?

2. If you could add a new character to Emoni’s culinary arts class for the Spain trip, what background and cooking perspective would they bring? How might they interact with Emoni and influence her journey of self-discovery?

3. Picture yourself in Emoni’s position when she returns from Spain and must make choices about her future. Write an alternative ending in which she makes a different choice. How does it affect her path?