Themes

• Identity and self-expression

• Cultural and religious conflict

• Coming of age and sexuality

• Family relationships and expectations

• The power of poetry and words

• Gender roles and feminism

• Finding one's voice in a silencing world

Setting

Set in contemporary Harlem, New York City, The Poet X unfolds against the backdrop of a vibrant, diverse urban neighborhood. The story takes place in the present day, reflecting modern challenges faced by teenagers in a multicultural environment.

Xiomara's world is centered around her home, school, and local community. The streets of Harlem serve as both a familiar comfort and a source of tension, representing the contrast between her family's traditional values and the evolving culture around her. The novel vividly portrays the sights, sounds, and rhythms of this iconic New York neighborhood.

Specific locations play crucial roles in the narrative. Xiomara's Catholic church symbolizes the religious expectations placed upon her, while her school becomes a sanctuary where she discovers her passion for poetry. The subway, streets, and local businesses of Harlem form the canvas on which Xiomara's coming-of-age story is painted, capturing the essence of growing up in a dynamic urban setting.

Characters

• Xiomara Batista: The protagonist and narrator of the story. A 15-year-old Dominican-American girl living in Harlem who discovers her passion for slam poetry. Xiomara struggles with her body image, her strict religious upbringing, and finding her voice in a world that often tries to silence her. She uses poetry as an outlet for her frustrations and dreams.

• Twin (Xavier): Xiomara's twin brother. He is quieter and more academic than Xiomara, often praised for his intelligence. Twin is gay but keeps his sexuality hidden from their religious parents.

• Mami (Altagracia): Xiomara and Twin's devoutly Catholic mother. She is strict and often at odds with Xiomara, trying to control her daughter's behavior and enforce religious traditions. Mami's own past experiences shape her parenting style.

• Papi: Xiomara and Twin's father. He is a more passive presence in the household, often remaining silent during family conflicts. Papi's past infidelity has strained his relationship with Mami.

• Aman: Xiomara's love interest and biology lab partner. He shares Xiomara's interest in music and poetry, encouraging her to express herself. Their relationship is a source of both joy and conflict for Xiomara.

• Caridad: Xiomara's best friend. She is supportive of Xiomara's poetry and helps her navigate high school life. Caridad provides a contrast to Xiomara's family situation.

• Ms. Galiano: Xiomara's English teacher who recognizes her talent for poetry. She encourages Xiomara to join the school's poetry club and nurtures her writing skills.

• Father Sean: The young priest at Xiomara's church. He offers a more understanding perspective on faith compared to Mami's strict interpretation.

Quick facts

• The book is written entirely in verse, using a poetic style throughout

• Elizabeth Acevedo narrates the audiobook version herself

• It won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2018

• The Poet X is Acevedo's debut novel

• The main character Xiomara's name means “ready for war” in Greek

• The book was inspired by Acevedo's experiences growing up in New York City

• It won the prestigious Carnegie Medal in 2019, making Acevedo the first writer of color to receive this award

• The novel addresses themes of identity, faith, and finding one's voice

• It has been translated into several languages including Spanish and Korean

• The book was challenged and banned in some school districts for its content

About the Author

Elizabeth Acevedo is an acclaimed American poet and author of young adult fiction. Born and raised in New York City by Dominican immigrant parents, she discovered her passion for poetry at a young age. Acevedo holds a BA in Performing Arts from George Washington University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland.

Acevedo's debut novel, The Poet X, catapulted her to literary stardom in 2018. The book won numerous prestigious awards, including the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, and the Carnegie Medal. Her subsequent novels, With the Fire on High and Clap When You Land, have also received critical acclaim and cemented her status as a leading voice in young adult literature.

In addition to her work as a novelist, Acevedo is an accomplished performance poet. She is a National Poetry Slam champion and has performed at renowned venues such as Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center. Her poetry often explores themes of identity, culture, and coming-of-age experiences, drawing from her Afro-Latina heritage and upbringing in Harlem.

Acevedo has worked as an educator, teaching eighth-grade English and serving as a visiting instructor at an adjudicated youth center in Washington, D.C. In 2022, the Poetry Foundation named her the Young People's Poet Laureate, recognizing her significant contributions to literature for young readers. Acevedo continues to inspire and empower young voices through her powerful storytelling and advocacy for diverse representation in literature.