WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH

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—her Puerto Rican abuela, who helps take care of baby Emma; her best friend, Angelica; and Malachi, a new transfer student who is taking a culinary arts class with Emoni. In short chapters, listeners learn about Emoni’s magic in the kitchen—not only does she have an instinct for what will taste good, but her emotions are an essential ingredient that infuses her cooking. This delicious feel-good story will have listeners rooting for Emoni as she figures out the next steps on her life path. J.M.D. 2019 Best Audiobook, 2020 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2019]