The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

 

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevado


After hearing Amanda Gorman recite her poem at the Presidential Inauguration, I really wanted to return to this book, The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevado.  I first read it two years ago, but i think rereading it now, I enjoyed it even more. 


The Poet X is the story of Xiomara Batista, and it is told entirely with poems. As a verse novel, this book reads very fast as it offers tons of emotion with a quick moving plot. How the author has pulled several story lines together is really creative.


15 year-old Xiomara’s parents have expectations for her, and that’s cool. Except, Xiomara doesn’t share those expectations, doesn’t understand her parents beliefs:


“My parents probably wanted a girl who would sit in the pews

wearing pretty florals and a soft smile.

They got combat boots and a mouth silent

until it’s sharp as an island machete.”

Her name means “one who is ready for war,” and Xiomara wages her own public and private wars throughout The Poet X.

As Xiomara prepares for her confirmation, she finds herself questioning her parents religious beliefs, wanting to question and make sense of the world for herself. Xiomara has always been close to her twin brother, but as they get older, she begins to see how her parent’s world holds sons and daughters to different standards and expectations. Struggling with her own beliefs about life, a new found realization about her brother, yet holding on to a strong desire to please her parents, Xiomara keeps many of her thoughts and feelings to herself.

Xiomara finds her voice through poetry, putting all her thoughts and frustrations on paper. New friends, new experiences and new thoughts. She uses her poetry to better understand her parent's religion, her own thoughts and feelings, and her relationship to the world. Telling the story in verse seems to pull us along in Xiomara’s mind, sharing in her deepest thoughts. 

Xiomara is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, which gives her voice added power. She dearly wants to participate, but must face the fear of bringing her voice public, for all to hear.   Navigating this challenge leads to the ultimate conflict in the book, which I will leave for you to discover.

The Poet X is a great story about thinking for yourself, figuring out what you believe and making a path for yourself in an often complicated world. Sometimes, our greatest champion is ourself.  The poetry is beautifully written, the verse powerful, and the story one most people can relate to.   

-TM

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