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Quick answer: If you liked With the Fire on High, try The Poet X, Clap When You Land, American Street, Pride, Dumplin' and Piecing Me Together. Each follows a young woman with big dreams and strong family ties.
Elizabeth Acevedo's novel follows Emoni Santiago, a high school senior in Philadelphia who is raising her daughter and dreams of becoming a chef. Food, family and the fight for a future carry the story. Readers who love it usually want more YA that celebrates culture, voice and a girl who is good at something. These 15 books do just that.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Poet X | Elizabeth Acevedo | 14+ | more Acevedo |
| Clap When You Land | Elizabeth Acevedo | 14+ | readers who like verse |
| American Street | Ibi Zoboi | 14+ | readers who like immigrant stories |
| Pride | Ibi Zoboi | 13+ | readers who like retellings |
| I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter | Erika L. Sánchez | 14+ | readers who like fierce narrators |
| The Education of Margot Sanchez | Lilliam Rivera | 14+ | readers who like family stories |
| Juliet Takes a Breath | Gabby Rivera | 14+ | readers who want a coming-of-age story |
| The Sun Is Also a Star | Nicola Yoon | 14+ | readers who like romance |
| Dumplin' | Julie Murphy | 13+ | readers who like body-positive stories |
| Piecing Me Together | Renée Watson | 13+ | readers who love art |
| Dear Martin | Nic Stone | 14+ | readers who want a hard-hitting story |
| The Hate U Give | Angie Thomas | 14+ | readers who want a modern classic |
| Love & Gelato | Jenna Evans Welch | 13+ | readers who want a travel romance |
| Darius the Great Is Not Okay | Adib Khorram | 13+ | readers who like heartfelt stories |
| Everything, Everything | Nicola Yoon | 13+ | readers who want a quick read |
1. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Xiomara, a Dominican girl in Harlem, finds a voice through slam poetry. A verse novel and National Book Award winner.
Best for: more Acevedo.
2. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Two sisters, one in New York and one in the Dominican Republic, learn about each other after their father dies in a plane crash. A verse novel.
Best for: readers who like verse.
3. American Street by Ibi Zoboi
Fabiola leaves Haiti for Detroit and finds her family in a new world. Powerful and gritty.
Best for: readers who like immigrant stories.
4. Pride by Ibi Zoboi
A retelling of Pride and Prejudice in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Lively, and about family, neighborhood and change.
Best for: readers who like retellings.
5. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
Julia deals with grief and her mother's expectations in Chicago. Funny, angry and honest.
Best for: readers who like fierce narrators.
6. The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera
Margot is forced to work at her family's supermarket and tries to hide it from her rich friends. Sharp and warm.
Best for: readers who like family stories.
7. Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera
Juliet goes to Portland for an internship with her favorite author and discovers herself. Joyful and political.
Best for: readers who want a coming-of-age story.
8. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Natasha and Daniel meet in New York on the day she may be deported. Love and fate in a single day.
Best for: readers who like romance.
9. Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
Willowdean, a plus-size teen in Texas, enters a beauty pageant to protest. Warm, funny and full of Dolly Parton.
Best for: readers who like body-positive stories.
10. Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
Jade is an artist who is tired of being treated as someone who needs “help.” Thoughtful and fine.
Best for: readers who love art.
11. Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Justyce, a Black teen at a prep school, writes letters to Dr. King after a violent encounter with police. Short and gripping.
Best for: readers who want a hard-hitting story.
12. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Starr witnesses the shooting of her friend by a police officer and decides to speak up. A powerful, widely read novel.
Best for: readers who want a modern classic.
13. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Lina visits Italy after her mother's death and finds a journal. Sweet and food-filled.
Best for: readers who want a travel romance.
14. Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Darius travels to Iran to meet his family and makes a new friend. Funny and tender.
Best for: readers who like heartfelt stories.
15. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Maddy has never left her house because of a rare illness, until she meets Olly. A fast, sweet romance.
Best for: readers who want a quick read.
How to Choose
For more Acevedo, start with The Poet X or Clap When You Land, both in verse. For immigrant stories, read American Street or I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. For romance, choose Love & Gelato, Dumplin' or The Sun Is Also a Star. For social issues, read Dear Martin and The Hate U Give. Several books on this list discuss grief, racism and violence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is With the Fire on High about cooking?
Yes, Emoni's dream is to become a chef, and food writing runs through the book.
What age is it for?
It is shelved as young adult, for ages 14 and up.
Is the book a romance?
There is a romance, but the main story is about Emoni's goals, her daughter and her family.
Does Acevedo write in verse?
Yes, in The Poet X and Clap When You Land, but With the Fire on High is in prose.