A review by ariellesbookreviews
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

5.0

Poet X is about a young Dominican woman, Xiomara, growing in Harlem, New York with an overbearing judgmental mother, a present but absent father, and her twin brother. Acevedo describes society's pressure on women to be docile virgins, women’s desire to be themselves, and the sexualization of women by men, through catcalling, unwanted touching, sexual harassment, and sex-shaming.

While this book is only from the perspective of Xiomara, the author does not fail to show the pressure society has placed on men to be masculine through the protagonist brother, twin, and love interest, Aman. Xiomara also cast judgment against other women, believing what her mother and society have taught her about single mothers or women with children from different fathers.

The book also focuses on religious pressures children can face from their parents. The author illustrates that religious ideologies are an individual journey that parents cannot force on their children, despite what many people believe. The book reminded me of my own journey with religion as a child.

The book also exhibits that people do not change overnight, with Xiomara and her mother's relationship not miraculously improving after one sitting. Xiomara acknowledges that sometimes relationships with others will never be exactly how you want them.

Poet X is the best book I have read this year. It was extremely relatable, touching on many subjects young adults go through. I think Poet X is a book that teenagers should read in school. The book is diverse, has excellent representation, and fully desires every 5-star review it receives.