With the Fire on High

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Part 1, Chapters 1-22

Reading Check

1. What nickname does Emoni call her daughter?

2. Who is Emoni’s best friend?

3. Where does Emoni work?

4. Who teaches the culinary arts class?

5. To what country does the culinary arts class have a trip planned?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Emoni feel during her first culinary arts class?

2. How does Emoni react when Malachi first talks with her?

3. Describe Angelica.

4. Describe the relationship between Emoni and Julio.

Part 1, Chapters 23-41

Reading Check

1. What nickname does Malachi give Emoni?

2. What does Malachi ask Emoni to do for their first date?

3. What is causing Emoni to worry about her grandmother?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Emoni think her daughter is having temper tantrums?

2. Why does Chef Ayden make Emoni throw one of her dishes away?

3. What decision does Julio make as the hurricane approaches?

4. Why does Pretty Leslie ask Emoni about her daughter?

Paired Resource

"I Survived Being a Teen Mom"

• This nonfiction article from Mom Culture about teen pregnancy provides a real-world look at one account of being a teen mother. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing)

Scene from Ratatouille

• This brief scene from Ratatouille shows Remy’s relationship with and adoration of food.
• Compare Remy’s relationship to and description of food with Emoni’s.

Part 2, Chapters 42-68

Reading Check

1. How does Emoni react to Chef Ayden making her throw out her food?

2. What meal does Emoni make for Angelica and her girlfriend’s anniversary?

3. What do Emoni and Malachi do after making the anniversary dinner for Angelica and her girlfriend?

4. Who gives Emoni their business card?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What mutual challenges strengthened Emoni and Angelica’s friendship?

2. Why did Malachi change schools?

3. Why does Tyrone call Emoni?

4. What opportunity does Chef Ayden give Emoni?

Part 2, Chapters 69-91

Reading Check

1. Where do Emoni, Malachi, Emma, Angelica, and Laura go together?

2. To what city does Emoni’s culinary arts class travel?

3. Who is Emoni’s roommate on the trip?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does ‘Buela reveal about where she’s been going instead of to the doctor?

2. How does Emoni respond to Chef Amandi’s request on her first day in her kitchen?

3. How does Emoni respond when she sees the statue of Christopher Columbus?

Paired Resource

“History of Puerto Rico”

• This brief history of Puerto Rico from Encyclopedia Britannica covers much of the colonization by Spain that Julio discusses with Emoni. 
• Emoni recognizes the impact of colonization during her visit to Spain and through her conversations with her father. How do you think Puerto Ricans view their colonization by Spain and the United States? How might these views contrast with those of the Spanish? Consider the statue of Christopher Columbus in Sevilla and the theme Colonialism, Coexistence, and Integration.

“Self-Portrait on the Street of an Unnamed Foreign City” by Jennifer Grotz

• A poem about self-reflection while traveling
• Compare Emoni’s reflections on her travel with those of Jennifer Grotz. Consider the theme Rules, Recipes, and Self-Creation. How do both narrators learn about themselves through travel?

Part 2, Chapters 92-107

Reading Check

1. What does Emoni give the boy who stole her purse?

2. Where is Emoni accepted to college?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What causes the relationship between Emoni and Leslie to change?

2. Why is Emoni wary of boys?

3. What does the reader learn about Julio based on his reaction to her college acceptance?

Part 3, Chapters 108-113

Reading Check

1. What does Tyrone tell Emoni regarding Emma?

2. Where does Emoni begin working?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why has Julio refused to eat Emoni’s food?

2. What is Emoni’s plan regarding school, work, and family?

Recommended Next Reads 

Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Peña

• Mexican White Boy tells the story of Danny, who is half Mexican and half white, yet feels he does not fit in with either group.
• This novel also touches on the theme of Heterogenous Identity, Prejudice, and Roots.
• Mexican White Boy on SuperSummary

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

• On the Come Up is the story of Brianna Jackson, who aims to craft her own identify as a rapper. She does this in the shadow of her late father, Lawless, who is an underground rap legend.
• Connects to the theme Rules, Recipes, and Self-Creation
• On the Come Up on SuperSummary