The Poet X

The Poet X is a powerful coming-of-age novel in verse that tells the story of Xiomara Batista, a Dominican-American teenager growing up in Harlem. Written entirely in poetic form, the book beautifully captures Xiomara’s emotional journey as she wrestles with her identity, faith, family expectations, and her desire to speak her truth.

Xiomara feels silenced in her conservative and deeply religious household, especially by her strict mother, who expects her to live according to traditional Catholic values. But Xiomara’s body draws attention she doesn’t want, and her questions about religion and self-worth go unheard. She begins to feel increasingly isolated—until she discovers the world of slam poetry. Through poetry, she finds an outlet for her pain, passion, and voice.

When she joins her school’s poetry club—secretly, against her mother’s wishes—Xiomara begins to embrace her identity and power, learning to stand up for herself and express who she really is. Her voice becomes her strength, and her words become a tool for both rebellion and healing.

Winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, The Poet X has been praised for its raw honesty, lyrical beauty, and empowering themes. It explores issues like race, gender, faith, self-expression, and cultural expectations with grace and emotional depth. Elizabeth Acevedo, a slam poet herself, brings authenticity and rhythm to every line, making Xiomara’s journey feel intimate and real.

This novel is available in paperback, hardcover, Kindle ebook, and an Audible audiobook version narrated by the author herself—which adds an extra layer of intensity and emotion to the experience.