LibGuides: Banned Books Week: The Poet X

The Poet X

by Elizabeth Acevedo

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Call Number: Foley 2nd Floor Curriculum PZ4.A258 P64 2018

ISBN: 9780062662811

Publication Date: 2020

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 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, who 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

Why was this book challenged?

Reasons: Religion

The Poet X was challenged by two parents on grounds that it is anti-religion. According to this blogpost from the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom, "the Coble’s main claim is that The Poet X “has the primary effect of advancing the ‘religion’ of ‘alternative beliefs,’ while being hostile toward Christianity, especially Catholicism. [It] launches a ‘frontal assault on Christian beliefs and values.’” They demanded the book be removed from the curriculum, or they would file suit."
Read review excerpts, responses to challenges of this book, and more on Book Résumés.