The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Bibliographic Information:

Title: The Poet X

Author: Elizabeth Acevedo

Copyright Date: March 2018

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 978006266281

Format: Print Verse Book

Genre: Poetry/ Contemporary Fiction/ BIPOC Voice

Awards:

National Book Award for Young People's Literature-2018

Carnegie Medal for Writing- 2019

Golden Kite Award for Young Adult Fiction-2019

Pura Belpré Award- 2019

Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature- 2019

Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award for Young Adult Fiction- 2019

Reading/Interest Level: 9-12 (Booklist)

Plot Summary:

Growing up as a first generation American in Harlem, New York City, raised by Dominican immigrants, Xiomara Batista can't seem to fit in wherever she goes. She feels the watchful eyes of her mother who wants Xiomara to be the nun she couldn't. While walking down the street she feels the unsavory gaze of men who can't help but comment on her curves. Only raising her voice or fist to defend her or her twins honor, Xiomara can't seem to find her voice. Her emotional turmoil only finds relief when she writes them on the pages of her journal.

When Xiomara is pushed to complete confirmation class, meets a unique boy, and discovers her twin secret, she feels a constant conflict with who her mom expects her to be and what she believes. Longing to join her schools poetry club and discover who she is and what she believes, Xiomara will need to fight for her voice to be heard in a world where very few seem care to hear.

Author Background:

Elizabeth Acevedo is a first generation American and was raised by Dominican Immigrants in New York City. She completed her BA in Performing Arts at The George Washington University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. She enjoys competing in Poetry Slams and is a National Poetry Slam Champion. Her works include Family Lore, The Poet X, With the Fire on High, Clap When You Land, Inheritance, Write Yourself a Lantern and Beastgirl (Acevedo, n.d.).

Critical Evaluation:

I think that poetry often receives a unique reputation. I remember Junior Year of high school when we focused on poetry in English. I really enjoyed it at the time but I wished we discussed mental health and reasons for writing poetry more. At the time I thought that all the poems I wrote needed to be deep, serious, and depressing, which skewed my relationship with poetry. When beginning reading this poetic novel I was concerned I was going to be brought back to the same mental environment that I created for myself junior year. However, The Poet X despite being a collection of poems at no point felt the way I feared it would. It was written with such a real voice that never felt like it was getting in the way of itself or trying too hard. It made me smile, laugh, and cry in a way that was sincere and meaningful. The length of the poems kept the novel moving and would be enticing for reluctant readers. I was transported and felt like I was Xiomara and could feel all the experiences she was going through first hand.

I grew up Catholic, forced to go to confirmation, but unlike Xiomara I fell into the expectations. Only recently have I been able to consider myself in ways Xiomara did. With such common expectations teens are upheld to, this novel gives teens like me a chance to recognize they can find themselves, and gives teens like Xiomara the courage to be the person they know they are.

Creative Use for a Library Program:

Slam Poetry Night- Librarians host a poetry writing workshop while promoting The Poet X and other poetry within the collection. Present the different kind of styles, voice, and formulations of poetry featured in these works, and encourage teens to explore their creativity and write a piece about something meaningful to them. If possible, invite an author of one of the promoted works. Librarian will follow this workshop with a Slam Poetry nigh at the library or take a field trip to a local cafe or slam poetry night and encourage teens to share their poetry with the audience.

Speed-Round Book Talk:

Do you ever have thoughts and feelings that are so loud that you might explode? So does Xiomara. But Xiomara hates the attention from all the critical eyes around her and finds she can only speak her mind through the pages of her journal. Through poetry. But when the words she writes seem to leak off the page Xiomara feels like a fish swimming up stream. Can Xiomara find her voice?

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:

The Poet X has been banned in some schools and continues to be questioned for multiple reasons, most notably that it violates the freedom of religion, and themes relating to race and sexuality (Boyer, 2024). What is intriguing about these opinions is that for one the idea that Xiomara questions her faith seems to better uphold freedom of religion as she attempts to find her own path with or without the catholicism her mother forces upon her. Elizabeth Acevedo states "If you’re banning my books, I know that I’m loving in my process, so it’s not the book that needs to be watered down...It’s that the subjects are being talked about in a way that is unflinchingly honest, and people are scared to look at it” (Boyer, 2024).

Reason for Inclusion:

I included The Poet X into my Teeny Tiny Teen Library because this book moved me. I was apprehensive about reading this book because I was concerned that I was not going to "get" the poetry. However, I was enraptured by it! I wished that I had this book when I was in high school. I grew up catholic and having to go to confirmation class. This novel includes important themes that I think many young women can relate to from so many backgrounds. It made me feel seen despite my differences to Xiomara. This book includes many themes that teens face and validates the feelings they have.

Check Out:

References:

Acevedo, E. (n.d.). About. Accessed June 2024 from http://www.acevedowrites.com/about

Booklist. (n.d.). The Poet X. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Poet-X-Elizabeth-Acevedo/pid=9103099

Boyer, M. (2024, January). Award-winning author Elizabeth Acevedo: Banning books is not about protecting kids. Education Healthcare Public Services. https://www.aft.org/news/award-winning-author-elizabeth-acevedo-banning-books-not-about-protecting-kids

Department of English. (2019, February). THE POET X Receives Two Additional Awards. University of Maryland. https://english.umd.edu/news/poet-x-receives-two-additional-awards

Epic Reads. (2018, February).“Night Before First Day of School” from The Poet X | Elizabeth Acevedo Live Performance. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAKiLr__ppM

Junior Library Guild. (n.d.). The Poet X. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/the-poet-x-9780062662804j