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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
The power of words (and love). Strong female lead and stirring narrative of one contemporary adolescence.
Reminding me of Sarah Crossan's work in verse (both Carnegie winners), The Poet X gives us a story that flows like the language Xiomara lives and breathes. A very relevant look at the life of one talented young woman, with barriers, dreams and hopefully some courage to overcome one to reach out to the other.
Xiomara is a Harlem teenager who hides her talent for slam poetry in her own writing, secreting her thoughts and experiences in her own private writing journal. Her religious mother, determined to control her blossoming daughter and mould her into a good church-going girl. She cannot speak her mind at home. Her own womanly body gives her unwanted attention and forces X to push back physically. Her fists do the talking for her.
The budding rapport that grows between X and her lab partner in biology, Aman, brings a rather lovely aspect to the story - of course most stories of teenagers will feature some sort of love interest. This one is very understated, sometimes very little is said between the pair, or simply the bonding over favourite song lyrics and artists. The developing respect and closeness is touching to watch, even as - as ever - much is wordless.
X is invited to join a slam poetry club by her English teacher, something her mother would not allow, but which is close to her heart and desires, and something she will need to courage to do to make her voice, her thoughts, her feelings be heard.
The author, a slam poet herself, imbues X with a gift for articulation, for expression and imagery. The multi-pronged story gives us the highs of a first love and the fears and danger of a repressive and precarious mother-daughter relationship. X's brother is also given a plot arc that the reader guesses at, a dangerous leaning for the child of a religious zealot.
The style of the book worked so well, both as an insight into X's mind and love for poetry, but also as a modern-feeling method of conveying a plot. For me, it wasn't at all intimidating, though I can imagine a reader with no experience of this would find it disconcerting. It's very easy to read though, and feels like you're inside X's thoughts.
Uplifting, emotional, and a wonderfully strong female lead surrounded by memorable supporting characters, covering a wealth of contemporary issues. A worthy Carnegie winner, and I hope is given shelf space in secondary schools.
Reminding me of Sarah Crossan's work in verse (both Carnegie winners), The Poet X gives us a story that flows like the language Xiomara lives and breathes. A very relevant look at the life of one talented young woman, with barriers, dreams and hopefully some courage to overcome one to reach out to the other.
Xiomara is a Harlem teenager who hides her talent for slam poetry in her own writing, secreting her thoughts and experiences in her own private writing journal. Her religious mother, determined to control her blossoming daughter and mould her into a good church-going girl. She cannot speak her mind at home. Her own womanly body gives her unwanted attention and forces X to push back physically. Her fists do the talking for her.
The budding rapport that grows between X and her lab partner in biology, Aman, brings a rather lovely aspect to the story - of course most stories of teenagers will feature some sort of love interest. This one is very understated, sometimes very little is said between the pair, or simply the bonding over favourite song lyrics and artists. The developing respect and closeness is touching to watch, even as - as ever - much is wordless.
X is invited to join a slam poetry club by her English teacher, something her mother would not allow, but which is close to her heart and desires, and something she will need to courage to do to make her voice, her thoughts, her feelings be heard.
The author, a slam poet herself, imbues X with a gift for articulation, for expression and imagery. The multi-pronged story gives us the highs of a first love and the fears and danger of a repressive and precarious mother-daughter relationship. X's brother is also given a plot arc that the reader guesses at, a dangerous leaning for the child of a religious zealot.
The style of the book worked so well, both as an insight into X's mind and love for poetry, but also as a modern-feeling method of conveying a plot. For me, it wasn't at all intimidating, though I can imagine a reader with no experience of this would find it disconcerting. It's very easy to read though, and feels like you're inside X's thoughts.
Uplifting, emotional, and a wonderfully strong female lead surrounded by memorable supporting characters, covering a wealth of contemporary issues. A worthy Carnegie winner, and I hope is given shelf space in secondary schools.
dembury's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book switching back and forth between audiobook and physical, and it was really wonderful both ways! It’s honest, engaging, and lively, and there was never a point where I wasn’t interested in X’s story. The explorations of thoughts on family, religious belief, teenage feelings, and finding your voice were all handled with such care and truthfulness that it was almost impossible to not become emotional involved. Acevedo is definitely an auto-read author for me now, both this and “With the Fire on High” were incredible books!
janagaton's review against another edition
5.0
Especially as a debut novel, The Poet X was PHENOMENAL. I wish I listened to this as an audiobook because I've heard only good things about the way Acevedo makes her poetry come to life. The Poet X is written primarily in verse, but that doesn't take away anything from providing the reader with a solid storyline. You will feel so many emotions while reading this book, and it will remind you just how powerful writing, as well as music, can be in situations where you feel like you've got nothing else to hold onto.
*Reread as an audiobook on 2/25/2021: still 5 stars. loved hearing Acevedo's voice & inflections & emotions & just doing her thing♡ I'm glad I read it physically first, however, so I could physically see and annotate the beautiful writing. The second time I was then able to just listen to the poetry aspect of it all.
*Reread as an audiobook on 2/25/2021: still 5 stars. loved hearing Acevedo's voice & inflections & emotions & just doing her thing♡ I'm glad I read it physically first, however, so I could physically see and annotate the beautiful writing. The second time I was then able to just listen to the poetry aspect of it all.
adventuresinfictionland's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jessidee's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kendalliskiwi's review against another edition
5.0
amazingly written and quite literally the only book to ever make me cry
but i was also on my period and it was one (1) tear so if anyone asks
"has a book ever made you cry" im still gonna tell them no bc im a filthy liar and i wanna keep my reputation as a coldhearted witch yk
but i was also on my period and it was one (1) tear so if anyone asks
"has a book ever made you cry" im still gonna tell them no bc im a filthy liar and i wanna keep my reputation as a coldhearted witch yk
daisy_books's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
drmccoy's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0