The Poet X

Gorgeous story of a young Latina figuring out who she is in a whirlwind of oppressive religiosity at home and objectification and sexualization at school. Xiomara has a need to express herself, and has always done so in secret poems in her journal. But what happens when her young English teacher invites her to share her work at Poetry Club and in slam competitions? Will she be able to duck out of her confirmation class without her mother finding out? Can she explore a first relationship on her own terms rather than those expected of her with her curvy body which has unfairly given her a reputation with the boys at school? Will she have the freedom to question the faith her mother clings to so strongly?
Told in beautiful verse from show more Xiomara's point of view, this is one well deserving of the Printz Award. show less

Tears, for me it ended with tears. I had this moment reading a book about a girl that is not me. I am not from a big city, I am not from a Catholic or even religious family, I am not Latina or speak any other language, a girl with a very didn’t background. But Elizabeth Acevedo has written a story that is me. Xiomara is so many of us. She captures a struggle all to familiar- our teens. And Acevedo has written her beautifully. Powerfully.

Xiomara writes in her journal, her poems and thoughts that she doesn't dare say allowed to her mother, especially. Her mother is deeply religious and wants Xiomara to be confirmed - but she isn't sure what she believes, and doesn't feel heard. In her notebook, however, she can speak all the thoughts she can't say aloud.

This free verse novel is really powerful, and I can definitely see why it's won the awards and acclaim it has. Xiomara's character really blooms her freshman year of high school, as her poems cover September to January, very much focusing on a new beginning for her and her family. It's a fast read, but there's so much from family ties to religion to first love and everything in between. Xiomara's voice is beautiful, and I show more guarantee you will cheer her on in her journey. show less

I love the unique format of a novel written in verse. Acevedo's narrative seamlessly flows through the pages of poems. I was pleasantly surprised that I could so easily picture the events of the story and the characters as I read.

Speaking of the characters, they are so multidimensional and they feel authentic. Elizabeth Acevedo is the only daughter of Dominican immigrants just like her protagonist Xiomara. Nobody in the book seems like a caricature and despite the fact that the main character is certainly critical of particular aspects of their religion and her parents' actions, it is overall a positive representation of family and culture.

Another thing that Acevedo does beautifully is truly capture the experience of growing up as a show more teenage girl in society. As a reader you can just feel Xiomara's discomfort when she is given unwanted attention for her body and also the relief and joy she experiences when at last she is finally given attention and recognition for her words, for "what's inside her head."

Another wonderful element of the book is the example the author shares of a strong female friendship. Caridad is a good friend to Xiomara. She supports her, but does not shy away from telling her when she disagrees with her. She urges Xio to pursue her poetry, by signing her up for the spoken word night and comforts her when she needs it.

Then there is Twin. The relationship between the two of them is quite touching. I love that he is the one who gives Xio both her first and her new notebook. Xiomara calls herself the storm and him the whisper, but they complement each other so well. I especially enjoyed the poem about the two of them ice skating each year for their birthday.

The final observation on The Poet X I will share is how visually stunning it is. The illustration on the cover is lovely, but what I mean is the way that Acevedo plays with formatting and margins makes the poetry come to life and rise from the pages. God on pages 14 & 15 and After on pages 52 & 53 are just a couple of examples of the way the broken formatting and white space on the pages heightens the emotions of the poetry. show less

I was so excited to get my hands on this.

And lord did it live up to the hype.

It is at once a love letter to growing up and a filing of a complaint against a world that forces growing up onto girls.

Acevedo's lyrical writing is the perfect format for her heroine, X, as she navigates family, friends, faith, and her own true self.

Even though we had different experiences in our formative years, X's struggles resonated deeply with me which I think is a testament both to the magic of the book and the systemic suffocation girls and women face when it comes to finding our voices and our bodies.

I was both excited and a little nervous about the poetry format but it flows and fits so well that I can't think of this story told any other wat. It show more delivers an otherwise good book as a really powerful punch.

If you haven't read this, please, oh, please, do so. show less

SO DAMN GOOD!

I am very picky with contemporary books, let alone contemporary YA, and I never read an entire book of a story written in verse, but this was spectacular. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author and it was one of the best audio experiences I ever had. It had so much emotion! It was so so good!

Xiomara Batista discovers poetry as a way to express herself and deals with the complicated relationship with her parents, especially her mother, society and religion at the same time she finds her first love on a boy named Aman.

I really love Xiomara and her relationship with Aman and her friend and, especially, her twin brother. Even though this is a poetry book the characters felt complex and fleshed out. Most important of show more all was how much feeling was put into the text: of anger, love, sadness and other difficult emotions.

I love this book and I will for sure read the other ones by the author. show less

The Poet X is an excellent YA novel written in easy-to-read free verse. Xiomara Batista ("X") is making her way through adolescence in a Harlem high school. She has a very strict Catholic mother who may be "do as I say, not as I did." X doesn't tolerate unwelcome lotharios or meanness, and sometimes has to stick up for her gentle, smart twin brother. I loved her questioning of her Catholic faith and the patriarchy impressed on her, even if her mother doesn't. X is studying for her confirmation while filled with uncertainties, and has a romance blossoming with a science partner that must be kept hidden from her parents. X loves to write poetry, and yearns to join the school's slam poetry team - which meets at the same time as show more confirmation class.

"“The world is almost peaceful when you stop trying to understand it.”

“My brother was born a soft whistle:
quiet, barely stirring the air, a gentle sound.
But I was born all the hurricane he needed
to lift - and drop- those that hurt him to the ground.”

“Maybe, the only thing that has to make sense
about being somebody's friend
is that you help them be their best self
on any given day. That you give them a home
when they don't want to be in their own.”

The author is a successful slam poet herself, and the writing here is easy and natural. This is about a girl struggling to find herself and her way, ready to do battle to make that happen. Because this is a YA book, the ending perhaps is a bit neater and more upbeat than it might have been. X will keep you racing through the pages and pulling for her to make it.bbbbbbb. show less