Book Review: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Title: The Poet X
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Publication Date: March 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-0062662804

PLOT SUMMARY
Elizabeth Acevedo's multi-award-winning novel debut chronicles the coming-of-age story of teenager Xiomara Batista, told in verse from Xiomara's point-of-view. The twin daughter in a Dominican Catholic family, Xiomara uses her poetry to channel the turbulent emotions she feels: the helplessness of feeling unheard by her strict religious mother, the anger she feels at her body development and the classmates who ogle her, her frustration and confusion with her sexuality, her religious doubts. Xiomara is lost in her self-identity, caught between the daughter she is expected to be, the fighter she believes she has no choice to be, and the person she slowly wants to be when her teacher continuously invites her to her school's slam poetry club. Bottling up the secrets and feelings she keeps from everyone inside, her poetry is her only escape.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
I began weeping when I reached the end of the poem "The Ugly," (Acevedo, 2018, p. 301), tears streaming down my face by the end of the following poem "Let Me Explain" (Acevedo, 2018, p. 303).

At the risk of breaking the objective tone of this review, it would be a disservice to this book if I did not describe the emotional experience I had reading it. Xiomara is far from relatable to me—she is Dominican, raised by poor immigrants in Harlem. I am a white, middle-class woman in the South with more privileges given to me than most people I know. Yet, Acevedo's verses are so immersive, I could feel myself in Xiomara's head.

This impactful free-verse novel is entirely deserving of the praise it has received. Every line and word felt deliberate and perfectly placed, matching Xiomara's emotions and state-of-mind. The placement alone feels like an art, adding a visual that builds the emotions. In "Let Me Explain," the lines, "That I'm sorry. / That I'm sorry. / That I'm sorry" (Acevedo. p. 302) are staggered and read like Xiomara is tripping over the threshold in a rush to rescue her most precious possession. In "Verses," (Acevedo, 2018, p. 306-307) Xiomara roars impromptu spoken-word poetry on the left side of the page, while her mother recites a prayer in Spanish on the right side of the page, creating the visual of them standing across the room from each other. In "Ants," each word stretches across the page, mirroring the text that describes Xiomara's mother dragging her to the altar of the Virgin (Acevedo, 2018, p. 198-201). In the following poem, "I Am No Ant," (Acevedo, 2018, p. 202-203), each line is one word, as though Xiomara is angrily biting out each word.

There is no doubt that I could go on and on, dissecting each and every poem for the mastery of its craft.

The content of the book is entirely relatable for teenagers and reads like a teenager. I confess there were moments that I was scared for Xiomara, worried she would have her heartbroken and used by a boy, just like I did at her age. However, I could also understand the choices she made, as it was not so long ago that I was a teenager and had the same thoughts. I had to chuckle at Xiomara's sanitized homework assignments juxtaposed against what she actually wanted to write. There were often times I thought the same, how I would prefer to write something real, but instead turned in the type of assignment I knew my teachers expected.

The use of Spanish was also refreshing and is likely to appeal to Spanish-speaking readers, especially if any are reluctant English readers.

AWARDS
Carnegie Medal, 2019
Pura Belpré Award, 2019
Golden Kite Award for Young Adult Fiction, 2019
Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Literature, 2019
Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook, 2019
Amelia Bloomer List, 2019
YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2019
ALSC's Notable Children's Books, 2019
National Book Award for Young People's Literature, 2018

REVIEW EXCERPTS

"Spoken-word artist Acevedo’s debut verse novel is an arresting portrait of a young poet coming into her own. In nearly every poem, there is at least one universal truth about adolescence, family, gender, race, religion, or sexuality that will have readers either nodding in grateful acknowledgment or blinking away tears." - The Horn Book, starred review

"Poignant and real, beautiful and intense, this story of a girl struggling to define herself is as powerful as Xiomara’s name: “one who is ready for war.” - Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Debut novelist Acevedo’s free verse gives Xiomara’s coming-of-age story an undeniable pull, its emotionally charged bluntness reflecting her determination and strength." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Truly a “lantern glowing in the dark” for aspiring poets everywhere. All YA collections will want to share and treasure this profoundly moving work." - School Library Journal, starred review

"Ultimately, though, this is a powerful, heartwarming tale of a girl not afraid to reach out and figure out her place in the world." - Booklist

CONNECTIONS
Enrichment activities: This novel is perfect for introducing teens to spoken word poetry. This novel could be connected to a teen poetry slam at a public library or used to supplement a curriculum about poetry in schools.

Related books:
Acevedo, E. (2020). Write yourself a lantern: A journal inspired by The Poet X. HarperCollins.
ISBN: 978-0062982278

Acevedo, E. (2019). We set the fire on high. Quill Tree Books.
ISBN: 978-0062662835

Grimes, N. (2001). Bronx masquerade. Dial.
ISBN: 978-0803725690

Sanchez, E. L. (2017). I am not your perfect Mexican daughter. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 978-1524700485

Tamani, L. (2017). Calling my name. Greenwillow Books.
ISBN: 978-0062656865

Watson, R. (2018). Piecing me together. Bloomsbury YA.
ISBN: 978-1681191072

Wong, J. L. (2005). Seeing Emily. Harry N. Abrams.
ISBN: 978-0810957572

REFERENCES

Acevedo, E. (2018). The poet X. Quill Tree Books.