Review: The Poet X by 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.

Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (5)

As the book closes

A tear wants to meet its pages

Just before the book slams shut

The tear drop leaves a mark on the last page

Slowly being consumed by its words.

Just like the reader was consumed by its words.

I'm no poet like Xiomara.

No poet like Elizabeth.

But I think I do know what makes a great writer. A great artist.

Elizabeth is very talented and I'm incredibly happy she decided to share her talent with the world.

I'm looking forward to read more of her work.

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