Lemons and Beginnings

Emoni Santiago, a high school senior and teen mother, starts her year with a heavy heart and a determined spirit. She juggles the demands of raising her daughter, Emma ("Babygirl"), with the support of her wise, loving grandmother, 'Buela. Emoni's world is small but fiercely protected, her love for her daughter and her family palpable in every gesture. The city of Philadelphia pulses around her, a backdrop of noise, color, and community. Emoni's longing for more—more opportunity, more time, more possibility—simmers beneath her daily routines. As she braids Babygirl's hair and prepares for school, she's reminded that every day is a test of resilience, and every small act of care is an act of hope.

Magic in the Kitchen

From a young age, Emoni's hands have been called magical in the kitchen. Cooking is her solace, her art, and her inheritance. 'Buela believes Emoni's food can heal, conjure memories, and bring comfort. Emoni's creativity shines as she improvises with whatever ingredients are on hand, blending her Puerto Rican and African American roots into every dish. The kitchen is where she feels most herself, where she can transform hardship into flavor and love. This "magic" is both a gift and a burden, as Emoni wonders if her talent is enough to carve out a future beyond the limitations of her neighborhood and circumstances.

That Girl, That Name

Emoni is "that girl"—the one who got pregnant as a freshman, the one people whisper about. She's acutely aware of how her name, her body, and her choices are judged. Naming her daughter Emma is a deliberate act, a hope that her child will have a chance to define herself before the world does. Emoni's sense of self is complicated by the labels others place on her, but she's determined to protect her daughter from the same prejudices. The weight of being seen, misunderstood, and underestimated is ever-present, but Emoni's resolve to rise above it is fierce.

Sisterhood and Struggle

Angelica, Emoni's best friend, is her confidante and champion. Their bond is unbreakable, forged through years of shared struggle and mutual support. Angelica's coming out and her relationship with Laura add new dimensions to their friendship, but their loyalty never wavers. 'Buela, too, is a pillar—her love is tough, practical, and deeply rooted in sacrifice. Together, these women form a "coven" of care, holding each other up through heartbreak, exhaustion, and the daily grind. Their laughter, arguments, and shared dreams are the glue that keeps Emoni going.

Culinary Dreams Ignite

When a Culinary Arts elective is offered at school, Emoni's passion is reignited. The class, led by the demanding but inspiring Chef Ayden, promises not just skills but a chance to travel to Spain. The possibility of learning, creating, and seeing the world beyond Philly is intoxicating, but the cost—financial and emotional—feels insurmountable. Emoni's excitement is tempered by fear: of failing, of letting her family down, of wanting something she might not be able to have. Still, she takes the leap, signing up for the class and daring to dream.

The New Guy's Smile

Malachi, a transfer student from Newark, enters Emoni's life with an easy smile and a gentle persistence. He's charming, smart, and sees Emoni beyond her reputation. Their connection is immediate but complicated by Emoni's reluctance to trust, her responsibilities as a mother, and the scars left by Babygirl's father, Tyrone. Malachi's own pain—his brother's death, his move to Philly—mirrors Emoni's struggles. Their friendship grows slowly, built on shared jokes, honest conversations, and a mutual respect for each other's boundaries and dreams.

Balancing Acts

Emoni's days are a blur of school, work at the Burger Joint, caring for Babygirl, and keeping up with her culinary class. Every decision is weighed against what's best for her daughter and her grandmother. Tyrone, Babygirl's father, is present but inconsistent, and his family's judgments add to Emoni's stress. The exhaustion is relentless, and moments of joy—like cooking a perfect meal or laughing with Angelica—are hard-won. Emoni's resilience is tested daily, but her love for her family and her food keeps her moving forward.

Failures and Flavors

The culinary class is harder than Emoni expected. Chef Ayden's insistence on technique and discipline clashes with her instinctive, improvisational style. When she's told to "trash" a dish she knows tastes good, Emoni's pride is wounded. She skips class, doubts her abilities, and wonders if her dreams are foolish. But a chance encounter with a professional chef, and the unwavering support of 'Buela and Angelica, remind her that growth comes from failure. Emoni returns to class, ready to learn the rules so she can break them with purpose.

Family Ties, Fractured

Emoni's relationship with her father, Julio, is fraught with absence and longing. He visits from Puerto Rico once a year, bringing gifts and stories but never staying. The loss of her mother, Nya, is a silent ache, filled in part by recipes and emails from Aunt Sarah. 'Buela's sacrifices are both a blessing and a source of guilt—Emoni worries about being a burden, about repeating cycles of abandonment. The family's love is real but imperfect, shaped by history, grief, and the struggle to survive.

The Price of Passion

The dream of traveling to Spain with her culinary class becomes a test of Emoni's resourcefulness and determination. The cost is daunting, and she leads a fundraising campaign that draws on the strengths of her community, friends, and family. Every bake sale, every lunch served, is a step toward possibility. The process is exhausting and humbling, but it teaches Emoni about leadership, teamwork, and the value of asking for help. The support she receives—from Angelica, Malachi, Chef Ayden, and even her distant relatives—reminds her she's not alone.

Fundraising and Forgiveness

As the deadline for the Spain trip approaches, Emoni faces setbacks: money is tight, her hours at work are cut, and she fears she won't make it. But unexpected generosity—from Aunt Sarah, from neighbors, from her classmates—bridges the gap. Emoni learns to forgive herself for her limitations and to accept help without shame. The Winter Dinner, a community event she helps organize, is a triumph, showcasing her culinary skills and the power of collective effort. The experience cements her belief in her own worth and the importance of giving back.

Spain: New Horizons

In Spain, Emoni is pushed out of her comfort zone. She apprentices with Chef Amadí, learning new techniques and discovering the global roots of her own cooking. The beauty and complexity of Sevilla, the challenge of speaking Spanish, and the camaraderie of her classmates broaden her horizons. Emoni's relationship with Malachi deepens, and she confronts her fears about love, trust, and intimacy. The experience is bittersweet—she misses Babygirl and 'Buela fiercely—but she returns home changed, more confident in her abilities and her right to dream.

Love, Loss, and Learning

Back in Philly, Emoni navigates shifting dynamics: Malachi is heading to Morehouse, Angelica is accepted to her dream school, and Tyrone steps up as a father. 'Buela reveals her own desires for companionship, reminding Emoni that everyone deserves happiness. Emoni learns to set boundaries, to communicate her needs, and to accept that love—romantic, familial, platonic—is messy but essential. She faces hard choices about college, work, and motherhood, but she does so with a new sense of agency and hope.

Coming Home Changed

Emoni's return from Spain is marked by both celebration and uncertainty. She's accepted to Drexel's culinary program, but worries about money, childcare, and whether she's ready for more school. 'Buela's new relationship and Julio's offer to stay in Philly force Emoni to confront her fears of abandonment and change. She realizes that moving forward means trusting herself, embracing help, and believing she deserves good things. The kitchen remains her sanctuary, but now it's also a launchpad for new adventures.

Decisions and Departures

As graduation approaches, Emoni must decide whether to attend college, work, or pursue her culinary dreams another way. She grapples with guilt, pride, and the weight of others' expectations. Ultimately, she chooses to enroll at Drexel part-time and work at a local restaurant, blending her need for stability with her passion for food. The decision is hers alone, a testament to her growth and self-knowledge. Emoni's journey is far from over, but she steps into the future with courage and clarity.

Graduation and Growth

Graduation is a moment of joy and reflection. Surrounded by family, friends, and mentors, Emoni acknowledges how far she's come. The ceremony is both an ending and a beginning—a chance to honor the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs that have shaped her. Emoni's relationships are stronger, her sense of self more secure. She's learned that success isn't about perfection, but about persistence, love, and the willingness to keep trying, even when the odds seem stacked against her.

Next Steps, New Fires

Emoni's story closes with her stepping into a new chapter: balancing college, work, and motherhood, supported by her community and her own hard-won confidence. She continues to cook, to dream, and to nurture those she loves. The lessons of her journey—about resilience, creativity, and the power of chosen family—burn bright within her. Emoni's fire is undiminished, her future open, her heart full. She is, at last, the author of her own story.

Characters

Emoni Santiago

Emoni is the heart of the story—a seventeen-year-old balancing motherhood, school, work, and her passion for cooking. Raised by her grandmother after her mother's death and her father's absence, Emoni is fiercely protective of her daughter, Emma, and determined to break cycles of hardship. Her creativity in the kitchen is both a gift and a lifeline, allowing her to express love, process pain, and imagine a future beyond her circumstances. Emoni's journey is one of self-discovery: learning to trust herself, accept help, and claim her right to dream. Her relationships—with 'Buela, Angelica, Malachi, and her community—reveal her vulnerability, strength, and capacity for growth.

'Buela (Gloria)

'Buela is Emoni's anchor—a wise, practical, and deeply loving woman who has sacrificed much to raise her granddaughter and great-granddaughter. Her guidance is gentle but firm, rooted in tradition and hard-won experience. 'Buela's own desires and needs are often set aside for her family, but as the story unfolds, she reveals her longing for companionship and fulfillment beyond caregiving. Her relationship with Emoni is complex—marked by both support and tension—but ultimately defined by unconditional love and mutual respect.

Angelica

Angelica is Emoni's ride-or-die, a vibrant, outspoken artist who comes out as a lesbian and finds love with Laura. She is quick-witted, supportive, and unafraid to challenge Emoni when needed. Angelica's own journey—navigating identity, ambition, and love—parallels Emoni's, and their friendship is a model of chosen family. Angelica's creativity, humor, and unwavering loyalty provide Emoni with both comfort and a push to pursue her dreams.

Malachi Johnson

Malachi is a recent transfer from Newark, carrying his own grief and hopes. He is kind, patient, and persistent, seeing Emoni for who she is rather than her reputation. Malachi's presence challenges Emoni to open her heart, trust again, and imagine new possibilities for love and partnership. His own losses—especially the death of his brother—create a bond of empathy and understanding between them. Malachi's respect for Emoni's boundaries and dreams makes their relationship a source of growth and healing.

Tyrone

Tyrone is Babygirl's father, present but unreliable, shaped by his own immaturity and family pressures. His relationship with Emoni is fraught with resentment, jealousy, and unresolved feelings. Over time, Tyrone begins to step up as a father, seeking more involvement in Emma's life and offering support. His growth is slow and imperfect, but his efforts to be a better parent reflect the story's themes of forgiveness, responsibility, and change.

Emma ("Babygirl")

Emma is Emoni's young daughter, a source of both challenge and inspiration. Her presence grounds Emoni, reminding her of what's at stake and fueling her determination to build a better life. Babygirl's milestones, tantrums, and laughter are woven throughout the narrative, symbolizing both the burdens and blessings of young motherhood. She is the embodiment of possibility, love, and the future Emoni fights for.

Julio

Julio, Emoni's father, is a complex figure—charming, passionate about his Puerto Rican heritage, but emotionally unavailable. His annual visits are bittersweet, filled with stories, gifts, and the ache of what's missing. Julio's inability to stay, to fully commit to parenting, leaves Emoni with wounds that shape her own fears of abandonment. Yet, his love for his culture and his daughter is real, and his eventual efforts to reconnect offer a measure of healing.

Chef Ayden

Chef Ayden leads the Culinary Arts class with rigor and high expectations. He challenges Emoni to master technique, respect the craft, and learn the rules before breaking them. His tough love pushes Emoni out of her comfort zone, forcing her to confront her pride and limitations. Chef Ayden's belief in Emoni's potential, and his willingness to give her leadership opportunities, are instrumental in her development as both a chef and a person.

Pretty Leslie

Leslie starts as a foil to Emoni—privileged, competitive, and sometimes antagonistic. Her jealousy and insecurities create tension, especially around Malachi. However, as the story progresses, Leslie's own struggles and vulnerabilities are revealed, and she and Emoni find common ground. Their evolving relationship underscores the importance of empathy, honesty, and the recognition that everyone carries unseen burdens.

Aunt Sarah

Aunt Sarah, Emoni's maternal aunt in North Carolina, is a lifeline to her mother's memory and heritage. Through emails and shared recipes, she offers Emoni both practical support and a sense of belonging. Aunt Sarah's stories, advice, and eventual financial help for the Spain trip highlight the power of extended family and the ways love can bridge distance and loss.

Plot Devices

Recipes as Emotional Anchors

Throughout the novel, recipes frame chapters and mark emotional turning points. Each dish Emoni creates is infused with her history, hopes, and feelings—serving as both a narrative device and a metaphor for transformation. Cooking is Emoni's way of processing grief, expressing love, and connecting with her roots. The act of sharing food becomes a means of building community, mending relationships, and asserting agency.

Dualities and Contrasts

The story is structured around contrasts: sour and sweet, struggle and joy, tradition and innovation, family and independence. These dualities are reflected in the chapter titles, the structure of the book (Sour, Savory, Bittersweet), and the choices Emoni faces. The narrative continually balances the weight of responsibility with the lightness of possibility, showing that growth often comes from navigating tension and embracing complexity.

Coming-of-Age Through Responsibility

Emoni's journey is shaped by the demands of young motherhood, which both limits and motivates her. The plot uses her responsibilities—to Babygirl, to 'Buela, to her community—as both sources of conflict and catalysts for growth. The tension between self-sacrifice and self-fulfillment is explored through Emoni's decisions about school, work, and love.

Community and Chosen Family

The novel foregrounds the importance of community—friends, neighbors, teachers, and extended family—in overcoming adversity. Fundraising for the Spain trip, organizing the Winter Dinner, and navigating crises all require collective effort. The story uses these plotlines to show that individual success is often rooted in communal support, and that chosen family can be as vital as blood ties.

Realism and Hope

The narrative structure is episodic, moving through vignettes of daily life, setbacks, and small victories. Foreshadowing is used to build tension around Emoni's future—her doubts about college, her fears of failure, her longing for more. Yet, the story resists easy resolutions, offering hope that is grounded in hard work, resilience, and the willingness to keep trying.

Analysis

With the Fire on High is a luminous, deeply empathetic exploration of what it means to come of age at the intersection of race, class, and motherhood. Elizabeth Acevedo crafts a narrative that honors the complexity of young women's lives, refusing to reduce Emoni to stereotypes or simple triumphs. The novel's central lesson is that dreams are not the exclusive property of the privileged; they are forged in kitchens, classrooms, and communities, sustained by love, sacrifice, and creativity. Emoni's journey is a testament to the power of self-belief, the necessity of asking for help, and the beauty of embracing one's roots while reaching for new horizons. The story challenges readers to reconsider assumptions about teen mothers, to value the wisdom of intergenerational relationships, and to recognize the magic in everyday acts of care. Ultimately, With the Fire on High is a celebration of resilience, the transformative power of food, and the courage it takes to claim one's own story—even when the world tries to write it for you.

Last updated: October 28, 2025