Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste Ng

Sofia Davidovich
Feb 5
4 min read

Little Fires Everywhere - Review

Summary and Recommendation:

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng dives into the story of two polar opposite families whose lives unexpectedly become intertwined as one of the families has the opportunity to move into this perfect, higher-class neighborhood called Shaker Heights. The book examines issues of privilege, parenthood, the burden of secrets, and dives into contradictory topics such as abortion and discrimination between economic and social classes. You won't want to put this stimulating, brilliantly written story down. The book, written in the third person omniscient, allows the reader to see all the main characters’ thoughts and perceptions of events, permitting us to grasp each different, unique persona and ultimately see the story from multiple points of view.

Personal Rating:

5/5 stars

Age Rating:

15+

The book contains some references to intimate acts although there

are no sexual scenes it still may be uncomfortable for younger teens. Cursing is infrequent although some curse words are said. The book also talks about strong subjects such as abortion that could be triggering for some. It is important to note though, that the book brings many positive role models and important messages which apply to teenagers around this age.

For Teachers:

This book is a perfect read for the classroom; again, it is recommended for 9-12th graders. It contains important and positive role models and messages that give the readers an interesting perspective on the world with the social criticism present. The author delves into characters who explore and get through their trauma as well as experience tough situations that some teenagers can relate to. The main theme of the book is the difference between social, and financial classes, and parenthood in diverse families, demonstrating many messages that are important for students to read about. Some chapters could be considered triggering so I recommend making sure to warn your students before reading and allowing them to skip if they feel uncomfortable.

Similar Books:

Other Books By The Author:

EDUCATIONAL HELP

SAT words:

The book contains some advanced vocabulary words that can help not only in school for essays and oral presentations (for example) but with the SAT Reading and Writing Section. Since the SAT includes questions that offer options with some words that may be considered confusing for some, such as in Words in Context questions, reading and familiarizing yourself with these words beforehand may help you understand your options better, which will help you choose better and consequently improve your score!

Examples Include:

Careen - move swiftly and in an uncontrolled way in a specified direction
Succinctly - in a brief and clearly expressed manner
Chagrin - distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated
Innuendo - an allusive remark or hint, typically a suggestive one
Benediction - the invocation of a blessing

Learn more at: https://www.vocabulary.com/lists/dut6bgtt/little-fires-everywhere

Coordination With Other Classes:

Apart from English class, Little Fires Everywhere can also be used as a reference for other classes. Firstly, it would be an excellent reference for a Psychology class offered in both AP and IB programs. The book explores mother and daughter relationships deeply, as well as how past trauma affects current behavior, making it a great reference for when these subjects are brought to light during the class. Additionally, this book could also be used in a Global Politics class, a class offered by the IB program. It explores themes of power and social class, topics explored in the class, which allows the book to be used as a reference during essays, projects, etc.

Amount of Time Needed For The Book:

Assuming an average speed of 300 words per minute (WPM), the book takes around 5 hours and 52 minutes to read. If it is read during class time for 30 minutes every class, it would take 12 classes to finish the book.

About The Author:

(Quick summary about the author from Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Celeste-Ng)

Celeste Ng was born July 30th, 1980 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with both her parents having emigrated from Hong Kong in the 1960s. When Ng was 10 years old they moved to Shaker Heights, Ohio, the setting of one of her best-selling novels: Little Fires Everywhere. As a child, Ng wrote stories, plays, and poems. She participated in the school's Student Group on Race Relations, which organized talks at nearby elementary schools about issues like discrimination and stereotyping which inspired her for many of her book’s subjects. Ng graduated from Harvard University's English program in 2002. After that, she enrolled in the University of Michigan's creative writing department, where she graduated in 2006 with an M.F.A.

Contact Celeste Ng:

Publicist:

Juliana Kiyan

Associate Director of Publicity

The Penguin Press

Penguin Random House

1745 Broadway

New York, NY 10019

phone: 212.366.2845

jkiyan@penguinrandomhouse.com

http://thepenguinpress.com

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