For the teen who feels weighed down by responsibilities and worries their dreams are out of reach, this book offers a deeply hopeful and empowering story. The novel follows Emoni, a high school senior of Afro-Boricua heritage, who balances caring for her toddler and supporting her abuela. Her one true escape is the kitchen, where her cooking is almost magical. This story of resilience, identity, and family love explores what it means to fight for your passion against the odds. It’s a perfect choice for teens 14-18, as it beautifully models perseverance and self-belief, providing powerful representation for young women of color forging their own path.
Includes kissing and a respectful, slow-burn high school romance.
Sad ContentMild
Deals with themes of an absent parent and the memory of a deceased parent.
Sensitive Topics
Teen parenthood is a central theme, handled directly, respectfully, and without stigma. Emoni is a loving, capable mother, challenging common stereotypes. The approach is secular. The resolution is hopeful and realistic, focusing on Emoni’s empowerment and smart choices for her future. The story also touches on socioeconomic struggles, an absent father, and a deceased mother.
Ideal Reader
A teen (14+) who feels the pressure of adult responsibilities or is passionate about a creative pursuit but doubts their ability to succeed. It's perfect for readers seeking inspiring stories about young women overcoming obstacles, as well as anyone who loves a good story about food, family, and finding your own way.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. It deals maturely with teen parenthood and includes a sweet, respectful romance. Parents should be prepared for potential conversations about the challenges Emoni faces as a young, single mother from a low-income background, including societal stereotypes and financial barriers to pursuing her dreams. The book also highlights the importance of a strong support system. A parent hears their teen say, "It's pointless to even dream, I have too much going on," or express feeling trapped by their current circumstances. This is also a great book for a parent wanting to share a story that features a responsible teen protagonist challenging stereotypes.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) will likely enjoy the delicious food descriptions, the budding romance with Malachi, and the excitement of the trip to Spain. An older teen (16-18) will connect more deeply with Emoni's internal conflicts about her future and the complex socioeconomic realities she navigates.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many stories that focus on the crisis of teen pregnancy, this book is a portrait of a competent, loving teen mother building her future. The unique integration of food as a source of magic, memory, and cultural heritage, combined with its authentic voice, makes this book a standout in contemporary YA fiction.
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Read plot summary
Emoni Santiago, a talented high school senior and single mother, navigates the pressures of school, raising her daughter, and living with her abuela in Philadelphia. Her passion is cooking, a skill she infuses with an almost magical ability to evoke memories and emotions. She joins a new culinary arts class that offers a life-changing trip to Spain, forcing her to confront financial hurdles, self-doubt, and the judgment of others. Through it all, Emoni finds her voice, develops a new romance, and learns to claim her own future.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Emoni believes her cooking has a special magic that transfers her emotions to people who eat it. Do you think this is real magic, or a metaphor for the love and care she puts into her food? Why?
2
Emoni has many rules for her life to help her stay on track. How do these rules help her, and how do they sometimes hold her back? When does she decide to break her own rules?
3
Discuss Emoni’s relationship with her abuela. How does her abuela support her, and where do they have conflict? How does their multigenerational household shape who Emoni is?
4
At the end of the book, Emoni makes a big decision about her future career path. Were you surprised by her choice? Do you think it was the right one for her and her daughter?
5
Compare Emoni's relationship with Malachi to her co-parenting relationship with Tyrone. What makes her connection with Malachi different and healthier?
