The Poet X

By: Elizabeth Acevedo

Narrated by: Elizabeth Acevedo

Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Don't miss this acclaimed audiobook, read by the author-winner of an Odyssey Honor and an AudioFile Earphones Award winner!

The Poet X is also the winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, and the Pura Belpré Award.

Fans of Jacqueline Woodson, Meg Medina, and Jason Reynolds will fall hard for this astonishing #ownvoices novel-in-verse by an award-winning slam poet, about an Afro-Latina heroine who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth.

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, whom 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. But she still 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.

"Crackles with energy and snaps with authenticity and voice." (Justina Ireland, author of Dread Nation)

“An incredibly potent debut.” (Jason Reynolds, author of the National Book Award finalist Ghost)

“Acevedo has amplified the voices of girls en el barrio who are equal parts goddess, saint, warrior, and hero.” (Ibi Zoboi, author of American Street)

This young adult novel, a selection of the Schomburg Center's Black Liberation Reading List, is an excellent choice for accelerated tween readers in grades six to eight, in the classroom or for homeschooling.

Plus don't miss Elizabeth Acevedo's With the Fire on High and Clap When You Land!

©2018 Elizabeth Acevedo (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"The author's passion and pacing unite in her rhythmic reading of linked free-verse poems telling the story of Xiomara Barista. The author, a performance poet, and her heroine possess a gift for arranging words, sequencing sounds, and enriching both with emotions.... The subject, tone, form, and expression of this audiobook are diverse and poignant." (AudioFile)

AMAZING!!!

I loved everything about this book. I felt every emotion and would read it again. Love that the author narrated this. Although my mom doesn’t rice me at the knees, she is a strong Christian. Xio has the same questions I have about the Bible and the curiosity. This book is going to be in my Top 5!! Love it love it love it!!!

Culture and Family

I have this book in my classroom, but never read it. I cannot get into my classroom right now, so Audible it was. Boy, am I glad I did. This book was so authentic and left me sobbing in the end. This book made me remember why I teach. The angst and the loss of self of my teenage years. The realization that I can help any student that feels unsure, helpless, and inadequate, was made clear in the writing. And for that I thank you.

Incredible

I will listen to this again. the story, the poetry, the cadence of the reading and her 'voice' and her voice combine to make this audiobook one of my all-time favorites

Latin woman

I loved loved this! I cried and laughed in this a lot because I can relate to soooooo much of what she went through! The performance was beautiful! I felt very emotion!

where have you been

I've never heard of this author until I read her book Fire in High and I just loved it and this was nothing less! I won't give away details but I will say anyone can read this book

Snapshot

So, I am in my 60s, but this brought back to mind so many of my own experiences in breaking out of the cocoon during adolescence. Especially loved the author reading. Thank you!

Loved this story

I absolutely adored this book. Elizabeth Acevedo is a master at telling relevant stories with meaningful words. There is so much authenticity in her writing that it’s mind blowing. Absolutely outstanding!

Great Book

If you need a deeper understanding of the Latinx Culture. Read.
If you are searching for the magic of life and love through literature and song, read.
If you are in need of a greater explanation for what it means to wear your heart on your sleeves, read.

Gorgeous & Thoughtful Language

I'm speechless. This book means so much to me at 35. I can only imagine what it would have been like having it at 15. Well done, Elizabeth. Absolutely looking forward to reading more from you.

The Complexity of Simplicity

the words capture the intensity of personhood emerging, life evolving, and a voice being heard