A review by melinda_and_her_books
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

5.0

This was a very beautiful book. It was told In verse so it was a very quick read.

Xiomara discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother's religion and her relationship with the world. She feels unheard and begins to pour all her frustration and passion into a leather notebook. Her mother was very tough on her. I found my self angry at her at times. She did stuff I could never imagine doing to my own child. She basically crushed all her daughters happiness, dreams and confidence.

Xiomara finally starts to find her place in the world when she is invited to join her schools slam poetry club even though she knows her mom would not approve. She also starts to have feelings for a boy in her bio class but knows her mom could never find out because she is determined to have Xiomara obey the church.

I feel this is an important book for teenage girls to read because she is also learning to deal with her body and her hormonal changes. Her twin brother also goes through some things that their mom would not approve of. I would love to hear more about his story. I ended up crying towards the end of this book. ❤