Who's Who?
Emoni's best friend.
Who is Angelica?
The novel takes place in this American city.
What is Philadelphia?
The dish Emoni makes for Babygirl's birthday party.
What is Mac and Cheese?
The ethnicity Emoni identifies as.
What is Puerto Rican/Afro-Latina?
The cooking class, the baby-friendly program, the scholarship to culinary school, the support of her friends and family.
What are some of the opportunities and resources that Emoni discovers or creates for herself in the novel?
Emoni's live interest in the novel.
Who is Tyrone?
The name of the restaurant where Emoni works.
What is Burger Joint?
The name of the dish that Emoni creates in the final round of the Young Chef Competition?
What is "Rosemary-Scented Flan"?
The name of the cooking class that Emoni takes in her senior year?
What is Culinary Arts
At least two stereotypes that this novel challenges.
Teen pregnancy/motherhood
lazy/unmotivated learners
Black man as absentee father
Marginalized students have uncaring or unstable household
The name of Babygirl's daddy?
Who is Malachi?
The country where Julio lives.
What is Puerto Rico?
The dish that Emoni creates for the "Cultural Dish Day" assignment in her cooking class?
What is Mofongo?
What is Nya?
Underfunded/underresourced schools, lack of support from teachers and administrators.
What is systemic racism that affects schools comprised of historically marginalized students?
Emoni's child's father's nickname for Emoni.
Who is Santi?
The name of the college Emoni applies to.
What is Smith College?
What spice does Emoni add to the chocolate pudding that impresses Chef Ayden?
What is smoked paprika?
Emma's favorite movie.
What is Moana?
A metaphor for cultural heritage, personal identity, and emotional connection, and is a key element in Emoni's journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Food
Emoni's aunt in North Carolina who e-mails recipes.
Who is Sarah?
Abuela's occupation.
What is a seamstress?
The traditional Puerto Rican dish that Emoni's abuela prepares for her family?
What is Arroz con gandules?
Name the musical artist who 'Buela listens to.
Who is Marc Anthony?
Emoni possesses the following:
A strong sense of aspiration and determination to achieve her dreams of becoming a chef despite the challenges she faces as a young, single mother.
Bilingual and can speak both Spanish and English fluently, which allows her to navigate different cultural and linguistic contexts and connect with a wider range of people.
Hint: forms of cultural capital
What are aspirational and linguistic capital?