The Poet X Review

 Module 1

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Bibliography
Acevedo, E. (2018). The Poet X. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780062662804.

Summary
The Poet X is written with young adults, specifically teen girls, in mind. It is a novel-in-verse divided into three parts with Biblical names for each section. Each poem is written from the perspective of the main character, Xiomara, and reads as journal entries with chronologically dated entries spread throughout. She writes about the catcalls she endures from men about her curvaceous body, her difficult relationship with her parents, the complex bond she has with her twin brother, and her budding romance with a boy. She also expresses her doubts about a Catholicism, and how her English teacher and school poetry club helped her to speak her poetry. Language within the poems may not be suitable for younger audiences and there are some poems that are sexually charged in nature.

Analysis
The cover of the book is attractive to teen readers with a black and white image of a young girl of color with big, curly hair and words written across her face, surrounded by paint-splattered shades of red. Accolades of other popular YA authors plaster the back cover. Acevedo jumps right in with Part one of three of her novel-in-verse. Xiomara’s poetic voice is immediately established as powerful and personal with her first five poems providing a setting, family dynamics, her personality and personal physique, all of which are quickly identified as motives for protection of herself both verbally and physically. Readers will find that although the themes, pace, and form of poems change throughout the book, the depth of expression and the voice of the poet remain consistent.

The sprinkling of Spanish words, Dominican slang, and swear words throughout the poems create an impression of authenticity. Rather than the use of similes and hyperbole, the poems, written as journal entries use realistic language to reflect and express thoughts about people, events, and feelings Xiomara is experiencing. Furthermore, she frequently reveals what she wants to say, but doesn’t. These lines are a perfect example of the previously mentioned devices “I don’t scream at my father/when he calls me a cuero.” These candid entries create a sense of familiarity with the poet. Adding to the intimacy of the poems is the open form making it feel like an explosion of thoughts. The use of rhythm and form add to the impact of the poems as she adjusts each individual poem and it’s spacing on the page to reflect her emotion in the moment. Enjambment is frequently used to express anger or distress for example, “I’m so heated/with Twin/for not telling me/someone at school/ was bothering him/that I stop speaking.”

Topics covered create a compelling connection to urban teens. The poems range from not having a place to eat lunch at school to intimate thoughts about a boy while she lies in bed at night. Teens from any background can relate to being in big trouble with their parents “My mother’s voice mail/spears ice into my bones:/‘Te estoy esperando en casa.’” The relatability of the topics and the honesty in which they are shared are sure to resonate with teen readers, even if they don’t come from the same background as our character because the challenges of being a teenager is a human experience we all share in. The entirety of the book is full of raw emotion and growth, while leaving space for the reader to reflect on their voice and identity.

Excerpt

Swoon
In science we learned
that thermal conductivity
is how heat flows through
some materials better than others.
But who knew words,
when said by the right person,
by a boy who raises your temperature,
move heat like nothing else?
Shoot a shock of warmth
from your curls to your toes?

Activity
This book would be an excellent opening to a poetry unit for high school students. It could also be used as a fiction novel unit as it would cover all the TEKS for a fiction novel study without being as intimidating to students who are not used to reading full novels.

When we get to this section of the novel, I would ask students to consider a subject they enjoy and think of a specific topic. Then, write a poetic connection between the chosen school topic and a personal topic. I would acknowledge that it does not have to be as vulnerable as Xiomara’s if they do not feel comfortable.

Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews: “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.’”

 From Booklist: “The story, though centered around the family drama, explores other poignant themes facing girls today, diving into human sexuality, the psychological impacts of going through an early puberty, and how girls have to fend off advances from men—as well as the slut-shaming stigma that simultaneously can come from women. Ultimately, though, this is a powerful, heartwarming tale of a girl not afraid to reach out and figure out her place in the world.”

Awards
National Book Award, 2018
Michael L. Printz Award, 2019
Pura Belpre Author Award, 2019