The Poet X

In this novel in verse, Elizabeth Acevedo beautifully evokes the landscape and feel of Harlem through the observant character of Xiomara Batista.

Having lived in upper Manhattan for years, I recognized the neighborhood in the vibrant descriptions. I identified with Xiomara’s need to express herself, how she fills the pages of her notebook with what she feels she can’t speak aloud. Her emotions as she confronts the challenges of friendship, romance, and family feel very real.

When a high school teacher opens up for her the world of spoken word poetry and a whole new set of possibilities for self-expression,… show more.

Elizabeth Acevedo is both an acclaimed spoken word artist and Young Adult novelist. The Poet X is her most well-known work, a super-popular book about coming-of-age Black and Latino in Harlem, New York City. It’s not hard to understand why Xiomara, a.k.a. “X,” is such a relatable and indeed enthralling character for teenagers to encounter, but I was impressed by Acevedo’s ability to draw my cold, old soul into X’s story and keep me on a box cutter’s edge of anticipation from the first page until the last. Acevedo’s work will be as important to new generations of young readers… show more.

I loved this book from the get-go! It’s about Xiomara (X), a first-generation Dominican American teen living in Harlem who feels stifled growing up in a religious immigrant home and I love how X is tough and confident enough to defend herself against the boys who give her unwanted attention and also protect her little brother. But mostly what I loved about her is how she fought for the freedom to express herself, which she does so beautifully in her school’s poetry slam. Her poetry is timely and raw. I love how it made me feel like creativity can set… show more.

This was one of my first times reading a novel in poems, so I was nervous going in—but once I started reading, I couldn’t imagine this story being told any other way. Xiomara is a character whose emotions come to life with aching realness through beautiful, evocative prose as she tries to navigate becoming a woman, reconciling with her religious mother, and expressing herself through poetry. I cried so many times through her difficult journey, but her fierceness and trueness to herself gave me confidence with my own struggles with my sexuality. Don’t let unfamiliarity with poetry scare you away:… show more.

Calling all poetry (and especially slam poetry) readers, writers, and fans. Acevedo’s multiple award-winning novel focuses on Xiomara Batista, a high schooler in Harlem who is desperately trying to discover her own voice, separately from her mother’s, who is steeped in her dedication to her church and religious life. Xiomara isn’t exactly against that, but by discovering her budding wants and needs – and butting up against her own fears – she’s able to claim and speak her spirit in her own words, poetry, and the high school poetry club. A real winner and a real heart-warmer, I loved this… show more.

Xiomara Batista uses slam poetry to understand herself, her place in Harlem, and her family’s religion and culture. Of course, she would never share them. But when she is invited to perform her poetry her public, she will discover the power of her voice. Through each compelling line, readers will discover the power of their own voices as well.