I’ve been meaning to read Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X ever since I read Clap When You Land and discovered that she had another, more famous verse novel. I borrowed this one from Kahaani Box (may libraries prosper forever!), and I loved it. A powerful, moving story told from a young Hispanic girl’s point of view, The Poet X is about rebellion, love, and making your voice heard.
Xiomara, the protagonist of the story, keeps her poetry to herself. Only her twin Xavier, whom she calls Twin, has listened to her work.
But that is until she meets Aman, who, it seems, wants to hear her voice, wants to hear her poetry. Slowly, she begins to unfurl. But coming out of her cocoon may require more than she bargained for. Unlike her best friend Caridad, she questions the faith she is expected to follow blindly. She cannot find it in herself to listen to her mother and be a model church-going girl. Her twin has secrets too, but he wants to keep his head down until it’s time for them to leave for college and find their wings.
That is not Xiomara’s way. As the story unfolds, her voice grows braver and bolder. She needs to be herself, not in hiding, but out there, in the open. No matter what the cost.
The Poet X is an empowering story about coming to terms with yourself and finding a way to embrace your family. The characters are wonderfully nuanced, and the book touches upon a range of big themes: religion, sexuality, cultural difference and family dynamics. It’s a story that makes you reel with the authenticity of its voice. X, as everyone finds it easier to call her, is a force to reckon with. Brave and unstoppable, she is the true poet—the one who tells it like it is, and is willing to face the consequences.
| Title | The Poet X |
| Author | Elizabeth Acevedo |
| Tags | Young Adult, Verse Novel |
| Rating (out of 5) | 5 |
| Ages | 13+ |
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