The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (Review)

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Format: Paperback
Source: Owed book
Publisher: Electric Monkey
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction
Publication Date: 3rd May 2018
Synopsis/Blurb (Taken from Goodreads):

“A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo.

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself.

So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.

Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.”

My Thoughts & Review

The Poet X is a story about a teenage girl who lives in Harlem, family( her twin brother, father, and a very religious mother). Xiomara isn’t allowed to be a typical teenager and her mother wants her to follow in the same beliefs as herself, but Xiomara isn’t sure if she believes in God and she just wants to live her life like any other teenager. But Xiomara is forbidden to take interest in anything that Xiomara finds meaningful unless it has to do with God.

Considering I’m not really one to read things written in verses nor do I typically read poetry, I was surprised as to how much I enjoyed this book. I really like the way this book was written. It flowed effortlessly while at the same tackling important issues and delivering a deep and meaningful read.

Throughout this book we see Xiomara grow and change in so many ways. I was surprised to discover how relatable her character was and I really felt sorry for her. It was sad that she had to hide who she really was.

Although I was glued to this book for most of the time from start to finish there was a little section in the middle where I found the day to day activities to get a bit boring, and I found this slowed the pacing down, but other than that I couldn’t find a fault.

(This book was for the prompt YA Book)

My Rating

💙💙💙💙

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Leave a comment below and let’s have a chat.

Happy Reading!!!

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