A review by shereadsbetweensips
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

5.0

This book is phenomenal. I am going to give it 4.5 stars with a touch of sazón !! I no longer read that many YA books but this one in particular belongs in my shelf. I need to have this amazing book in my possession. I cannot explain how much I loved it with the correct words. Being from Puerto Rico, born and raise in the island, to me is magical. Every time Emoni explained the feeling of nostalgia her Abuela felt every time she ate Emoni’s food… I feel that ever single time I cook something authentic from PR. This book has a very deep sense of what the Puerto Rican culture is. I found myself smiling and laughing along whenever Elizabeth said something in Spanish. Not only because it was funny but because I can see myself talking to my Abuela like that and Abuela saying the things Abuela Gloria said in the book. It is humbling how hard working Emoni is. She’s strong -minded and hardheaded but she achieves everything she wants. She’s a fighter. I didn’t like that she had baby Emma wearing Jordan’s but that’s another thing.