Poet X by

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 fsts and her ferceness do the talking.

Why you'll like it: Free verse. Coming-of-Age. Family.

About the Author: Elizabeth Acevedo is a Dominican-American poet and author, born and raised in . She received several awards for her book , a 2018 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, the Michael L Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature, the Award for Outstanding Children's Literature, and the 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. (Bowker Author Biography)

Questions for Discussion 1. How does a novel in verse give the words room to breathe? Consider the physical formatting and spacing of the poetry. How does it convey the emotion of the scene and Xiomara’s feelings? 2. Acevedo’s novel explores the theme of voice. How does she convey Xiomara’s struggle to find her own voice, and how does joining the Poetry Club become a defining moment? 3. At its heart, The Poet X is a novel about teenage rebellion against strict parents and a coming-of-age story. While this is a common theme in YA novels, how did Acevedo find a fresh take on this plot? How is Xiomara’s story current and relevant? 4. The Poet X looks at religion, family values, and sexuality. How does Xiomara’s struggle to find a balance between her own values, her mother’s values, the teaching of her religion, ad the expectations of her peer group create tension in the story? 5. Consider how Xiomara’s body type matters and how her clothing choices convey her feelings about herself and are an indication of her confidence. Would the story have been different if she was less voluptuous? 6. How does Acevedo handle bilingual phrases? Does she offer a reader who does not speak Spanish enough context clues? How does an author balance staying true to the language of a character while making sure the reader understands your story? 7. How does the decision to give Xiomara a twin benefit the story? How would the story have been different if Twin were a girl? 8. A teacher and a priest become key characters who guide Xiomara and her family to solutions. How does Acevedo use these characters but still keep the main character in charge? 9. Choosing a main character’s name can be a fun exercise for a writer. How do the name Xiomara and the nickname X become more than just a name? 10. How does Xiomara’s relationship with writing change her relationship with her mother over the course of the novel? Why do you think writing affects her relationship with her mother? What about church and spirituality – how does X compare and contrast religion (prayer) and poetry?

(Questions provided by loftingsblog.com and Unleashing Readers)