August 13, 2023

The Poet X

As an Elizabeth Acevedo stan, if she writes it, I read it. After reading Elizabeth Acevedo’s Clap When You Land, I became obsessed and had to read everything I could by the author. That led me to this book. This book, The Poet X, comes off as autobiographical and coming of age. It dealt with some heavy topics that teens have to navigate. It was relatable. I loved it!

Summary

The Poet X is the coming-of-age story of Xiomara (pronounced zee-o-mara) Batista, an Afro-Latina, spoken-word poet from Harlem, and her shy, sensitive twin brother.

Xiomara finds herself at the center of nasty rumors that she has done nothing to deserve but develop into womanhood on God’s timing. Her development is the source of her teenage angst.

And so she fights.

She fights for her sensitive twin brother.

She fights for herself.

The Batista twins both hold secrets and look forward to the day they can break free of them. It’s about the complex worlds of teenagers and the adults in their lives (parents and teachers) who just don’t understand.

Xiomara’s devout, conservative Catholic mother’s primary goal is to preserve her daughter’s virtue — even to the detriment of her daughter’s mental health and self-image. Some themes — sexuality, religion, and adjusting to developing bodies are relatable to most girls who grew up in Purity Culture.

The poetry in prose discusses the challenges little girls transforming into womanhood have while navigating this gross society we’ve built for them and the well-intended, poorly executed ways parents call themselves protecting these children. Note: You don’t notice the story is written in poetry.

About the Author

Elizabeth is a New York City first gen, Dominican American Spoken Word Poet. Check Elizabeth’s phenomenal spoken word poem, “Rat Ode,” that she dedicated to a professor who told her rats were not noble enough for a poem. This is the first of Elizabeth Acevedo’s books and is highly lauded as a NYT Best Seller and 2019 Printz Award Winner.

Why I Loved It

I found myself pissed off at the side characters. Like, where did they get off talking to Xiomora like that? The hero me would be telling off everyone — her mama getting the largest piece of my mind. Her daddy needs to deal with too. And the boys in her neighborhood and school need their heads knocked off.

Where are her people? Who is protecting her?

It breaks my heart to hear of parents who call their daughters names. She’s a little girl — Same age as my niece. But this Dominican girl in Harlem is in a big, voluptuous body. And she can’t catch a break.

My heart goes out to the girls whose bodies get attention from men at a young age—especially those with parents who don’t help them navigate the challenges in a healthy, helpful way.

The almost abusive religiosity of well-meaning mothers reminded me that I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Xiomora is not your perfect Dominican daughter.

Both mothers destroy a notebook symbolic of their daughter’s spirits. Do these mothers not understand a notebook and understanding parents is the strongest arsenal a girl can have while navigating this challenging transition from childhood to womanhood?

Key Quotes:

“I am the baby fat that settled into D-cups and swinging hips so that the boys who called me a whale in middle school now ask me to send them pictures of myself in a thong.”

“Just because your father’s present, doesn’t mean he isn’t absent.”

“When your body takes up more room than your voice, you are always the target of well-aimed rumors.”

“And I knew then what I’d known since my period came: my body was trouble. I had to pray the trouble out of the body God gave me. My body was a problem. And I didn’t want any of these boys to be the ones to solve it.”

“So many of the poems tonight felt a little like our own stories. Like we saw and were seen. And How crazy would it be if I did that for someone else.”

“Hope is a thing with wings.”

Other Books to enhance your comprehension of this book:

Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality by Rachel Roy Welcher

Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement That Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free

I hope you dive into The Poet X like I did and read other books by this author.

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With The Fire On High

Two seperate photes. The first is a head shot of the author, elizabeth Acevedo surrounded my a halo of dominican curls. The other shows Spanish and English versions of the novel "With The Fire On High" against a wood background.

Elizabeth Acevedo makes me fall in love with her writing again in this novel, With The Fire On High. With The Fire On High is a coming-of-age story about a third-culture teen of African-American and Puerto Rian descent learning to juggle the responsibilities of teen motherhood while chasing her culinary dreams in Philadelphia.

In Spanish, the title is El Ingrediente Secreto de Emoni Santiago.

Before I get into the content, let’s first marvel over that cover art! If you want to judge a book by its cover, With Fire On High is the book to do it. This story is beautiful both inside and out.

Summary

Emoni Santiago is a talented 17-year-old, intuitive chef who must learn rigid conformity in her culinary class to elevate her cooking. She desires to tour Spain with her class and become a professional chef, but she has a few barriers to opportunities. Her mother passed away during labor (a high statistical probability for African-American women). Although her father is present in her life, he chooses to live in Puerto Rico, leaving his mother to raise Emoni. As such ‘Buela is now raising her third generation of babies (Emoni’s dad, Emoni, and Emoni’s two-year-old daughter Emma).

Emoni is busy going to school, working, being a mother, maintaining friendships, cooking, applying to college, and having a chance at love. She has to sort through motherhood sacrifices and prioritize not only her desires but what will be best for her little girl. The adults in her life support her, but she has until graduation to figure out the best path for her life. She has to act quickly because the fire is on high in her life.

Why I Loved With The Fire On High

I don’t know how she does it, but Elizabeth Acevedo writes compelling characters that you want to root for. The way the author makes the reader invested in the success of the protagonist is a skill writers envy. In this case, you have a perceptive, determined, hardworking teen who has experienced adversity. But you can’t help but hope everything works out for her. You keep reading because you’re genuinely excited to learn which of the bright paths toward her future she might choose.
The way the author addresses multicultural topics through dialogue provides an education that might lessen the strain of multicultural kids.
I grew up during a time when adults pushed the narrative that unmarried pregnancy was the worst thing that could ever happen in hopes of scaring teens, girls in particular, into abstinence. This book takes a more balanced approach. While getting pregnant during your freshman year of high school isn’t ideal, motherhood is still a challenging but rewarding charge. This book explores the hardships with equal clarity as the tenderness and joys.
And then there’s the food. Food, for me, is always a fun topic to read. In the novel, food is the central theme surrounding togetherness, community, connection, history, and healing. Just like in her novel, Clap When You Land, the author sure knows how to write about food in a way that stirs the senses!
Emoni’s story is thought-provoking and relatable to everyone who has gone through that major life transition into adulthood. With The Fire On High tops my praise list. I’ll recommend its lessons and positive messaging to everyone over the age of 17.

That said, this book also mentions themes and topics of:

Descriptive depiction of teenage sex (page 44), mentions immature sexual innuendo amongst teenage conversations, Teen Parenthood, LGBTQ+ issues, Death, Caregiving, Cultural Identity, Community, and mentorship.

I always want to point out a few things that might raise a yellow flag for parents. You can’t always blindly trust that YA fiction is really suitable for young readers (age 13-18).

**Other Books By Elizabeth Acevedo that I adore** are Clap When You Land and The Poet X

Other Books that center food:

A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer

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Black History Month Reading List for Young Readers

A tri-image. The First a bright, modern wall-to-wall book case. The second shows a Black father reading with his son on a sofa. The last photo is a close up of a book stack.

If were to list all the things my mom (an English teacher) did right, filling my childhood bookshelves with exciting, memorable stories would be tops. It wasn’t until my friends started having children that I realized we didn’t grow up reading the same books. Oh, the books we read at school were the same, but I was nurtured in a different wealth of literary magic at home. That’s what inspired this Black History Month Reading List for Young Readers — to have suggestions at the ready when asked. If you were hoping for a similar Reading List for Adults, don’t worry; I have you covered.

Compiling this multicultural book list just in time for Black History Month was a fun, nostalgic walk down memory lane. Most of the stories on this list were on my childhood bookshelf. Others have been written since my childhood. Some depict historical realities, while others showcase the richness of the African Diaspora. Parents can use this list to encourage a positive self-identity, strengthen empathy, and as a way to bond with their little learners. For teachers, this Black History Month Reading List for Young Readers can serve as a learning aid. Even if the stories are not read right away, simply having access to the books is fortunate.

Representation and Inclusion

Less than 3% of children’s books published in 2015 featured black characters. The statistical correlation between young black boys’ disinterest in reading and the lack of stories that feature them is little of wonder. Books transmit values. They explore our shared humanity. What message is sent to all children when some children are not represented in books?

When books (movies and toys, for that matter) reflect the truly diverse world we live in, children can better speak to more experiences and show our differences and commonalities in a positive light. The six books in this section of the Black History Month Reading List for Young Readers aim to celebrate and include. Minimal emphasis isplaced on race.

Childrens Black History Month Reading List/ 28 children's books for Black History month

Several of these titles won’t be found on my list. This picture is just my way of slipping more books on this short 28-book list.

Corduroy by Don Freeman – A cute little story about a cute little bear who is loved by a cute little girl named Lisa. Perfect for younger children with no emphasis on race but simply a representation (and humanization) of black characters. This classic has been enjoyed for over 50 years! It can be found on YouTube.
A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman– The equally charming sequel to Corduroy.
Cherries and Cherry Pits by Vera B Williams – My kindergarten librarian read this to our class. I remember the beautiful colors more than the plot. It’s easy for little ones to identify with the main character who is a very creative artist. Plus, she wears her hair in ball-balls just like I did. The pictures steal the show in this book and encourage imagination.
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman. — I adore this story about a little girl who adores stories! This is an encouraging account of a little girl with a big imagination and a talent for acting. It’s a reminder not to listen to the critics, and you can do anything you put your mind to. Besides, this book makes references to other well-known stories, some of which are found in this reading
list (hint: Anansi the Spider). Although not cultural, the book Chrysanthemum, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, also pairs well with the theme of Amazing Grace.
John Henry by Julius Lester – This Caldecott Medal Winner encapsulates several John Henry tall tales in one. Conclude reading this story with the Ballad of John Henry (you can find the song on YouTube). Make it an American Tall Tale theme by including the adventures of Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox, Johnny Appleseed, and Thunder Rose.
You Can Do It by Tony Dungy. – This New York Times Best Seller encourages little ones to press through challenges and recognize their own special gifts. It’s also a great read to remind parents to take advantage of opportunities to encourage their children. The story makes strong religious references and is read aloud on YouTube.

Black History Month Reading List for Young Readers

The next 12 stories in this reading list provide a historical narrative into the wide range of challenges and triumphs of Americans.

Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco — My mom read this to me and cried. Then my fifth-grade teacher read it to our class, and she cried. I recently watched it read aloud on YouTube, and everyone was commenting that they were crying. I’m crying writing about it. You’ll probably cry too. You must read it! It’s based a true story that discusses the unlikely friendship forged during the Civil War.
Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine — The true account of a young American man’s daring and creative escape to freedom.
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles. — NoThis is the true story of the little kindergarten girl’s quest to go to school. Ruby now lives in the Biloxi Area.
White Socks Only by Evelyn Coleman and Tyrone Geter uses
African American Vernacular English (AAVE) to capture a time in our nation’s history. This might be a good time to discuss AAVE as one of the many forms of English spoken in America. All countries have their own vernacular and dialect of the primary language. It’s a pattern of speaking and based on oral tradition and some people switch back and forth from Standard American English and AAVE. The story is about a Mississippi girl who thinks “Whites Only” means white socks only. Although this book wasn’t published until after my childhood, it reminds me of a story that one of my elementary school teachers told our class. She remembered seeing the signs and always thought the “colored” signs meant colored water. She was disappointed when she wasn’t allowed to use the colored fountain to see the colorful water come out. It’s read aloud on YouTube.
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights by Carole Boston Weatherford. The Author is a Boston native who provides an autobiography of
a soulful singer and activist during civil rights. It has received Caldecott Honor, NAACP, Robert F. Sibert, John Steptoe, and Coretta Scott King Award recipient. It’s steeped in poems and colorful illustrations celebrating the life of this powerful-voiced voting rights champion. Be sure to listen to music by Fannie Lou Hamer as well as supplement the book with references from YouTube, movies, or biographies for more historical context.
Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew up to Become Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz. — This picture book written by his daughter focuses on Malcolm’s childhood. This story ends triumphantly in the seventh grade when he, the only African American at school, is elected class president. At 48 pages, this is for older readers or will take multiple reading sessions.
Dear Benjamin Banneker by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney.—This is a look at the life and times of the 18th-century scientist. It focuses on his correspondence with Thomas Jefferson and the dichotomy between his Declaration of Independence and his enslavement of people (including his own children). On display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture is one of Thomas Jefferson’s drafts of The Declaration, which included a paragraph on slavery. Rather than drawing attention to the obvious misalignment, both northern and southern slaveholding delegates objected to its inclusion when the document was presented to the Continental Congress on July 1, 1776.
I, too, am America by Langston Hughes — This Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award book introduces children to the 1925 classic poem of Harlem’s Poet Lauriat. You can see the poem recited by Denzel Washington on the Great Debaters with additional historical context and reference to other poetry of the time. This picture book could be used for memorization and recitation.
Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Gwen
Strauss—This is a reminder that cross-country road trips (including military members PCSing) were certainly a bit more treacherous for African Americans in 1950. Told from the perspective of a little girl who leaves Chicago to visit her grandma in Alabama, this is book is a good gateway to introduce “Sundown Towns” and concerns black Americans still may have to consider when traveling. Ruth’s story is fiction, but The Green Book and its role in helping a generation of
African-American travelers avoid some of the indignities and safety risks of America, a historical fact.
Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles and Jerome Lagarrigue — Two best friends are just alike in all ways, except in the way they look. They learn that in the South in 1964, it takes more than a new law to change hearts.
The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson— Clover’s mom says it isn’t safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up
a friendship, and get around the grown-ups’ rules by sitting on top of the fence together.
Bill Pickett: The Rodeo-Ridin’ Cowboy by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney— The biographical, sweat-and-dirt tale of the feisty cowboy-child who became one of the most famous rodeo performers who ever lived. Today, there’s even a rodeo invitational named after him. It will make you want to saddle up. Includes a note about the history of the black West and a bibliography.

Classic Tales of the African Diaspora

Lastly, on our Black History Month Reading List for Young Readers, we have ten stories that focus on celebrating the diverse and vibrant cultures of the African Diaspora. Some tales, like Uncle Remus, are unique to America. Others, like Anansi, are classic to a particular tribe in Ghana and shared all over.

Why do chameleons change color? Why is the ocean blue? Children are naturally curious about the wonders of nature, and sometimes, parents don’t always have the answer. Pourquoi tales [por-kwa] (means “why” in French) are a theme of stories around the diaspora. They attempt to answer the inquiries while inspiring imagination and feeding little one’s interest in the natural world. All cultures have their own version of pourquoi tales, and they provide insight into cultural cues.

Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema – This is the quintessential Pourquoi tale depicting a West African Jungle disaster with vibrant Caldecott Medal Winning Illustrations. There are many other similar stories but knowing this story is an absolute must.
Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott– This Caldecott Medal-winning Pourquoi tale explains how the moon came to be. This is just one of the many stories and adventures of Anansi, a well-known character from Ashanti folklore that spread throughout the diaspora. This particular tale reminds readers that everyone has their own special gifts for the greater good. You can watch animations of the spider on YouTube.
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe – This is my favorite princess story! It’s a classic tale that serves as a constant reminder that a queen is, as a queen does. This book has also been adopted into Spanish and can be found read aloud on Reading Rainbow and YouTube.
Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit by Julius Lester Uncle Remus is the Aesop of America. The Uncle Remus tales are an oral tradition, originally written down by Joel Chandler Harris, were first published over a hundred years ago, and serve as
the largest collection of American folklore. The way you tell the stories are almost more important than the stories themselves. If you are going to tell the tales, you got to tell it right. If your southern mama didn’t introduce you to the stories herself, be sure you practice and watch movies or YouTube to get the voices right. Disney even has a ride based on the Tar Baby, and once you know the stories, you appreciate the ride even more.
A Pride of African Tales by Donna L. Washington— This book reintroduces Anansi from Ghana and offers new stories from The Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (don’t miss the opportunity to explain the difference between the Congo). Each story teaches a valuable life lesson in character development.
The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton. This book houses a cannon of African American folklore with gorgeous illustrations. The well-known author retells 24 American folk tales in sure storytelling voice. They include animal tales, supernatural tales, fanciful and cautionary tales, and slave tales of freedom. All are beautifully readable. With the added attraction of 40 stunning paintings by the Dillons, this collection is calling to be part of your library. I was mesmerized by the images long before I read a page.
Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl by Virginia Hamilton — Make sure your little one knows the story of the Tar Baby first. This tale is retold in Gullah, not Southern AAVE.
Big Mama’sby Donald Crews— Auto-biographic, depiction of family nostalgia. In addition to sharing the love and warmth of family, it also provides cultural insight. I once brought a friend to my southern gospel-style church. While I readily recognize “Mee-ma, and “Mammaw” as terms for grandmother, it never occurred to me that my friend would need to ask, “Who is Big Mama?” This book serves to bridge cultural understanding.
The Hundred Penny Box by Sharon Bell Mathis– Winner of a Newbery Honor, this beautiful story is infused with family warmth. As a child, I liked the story, but it wasn’t until I was an adult and experiencing the challenges of my late age grandparents
did I spontaneously recalled this story and thought, “This is just like the Hundred Penny Box.” I suddenly identified with it even more.
Jambo Means Hello: A Swahili Alphabet Book by Muriel Feelings Africa is the second-largest continent in the world with 53 nations with a combined total population twice the size of the United States. It is a vast and diverse land of waterfalls, mountains, deserts, rainforests, and grasslands. The languages of Africa are also diverse, with 800-1,000 different languages spoken among the people. One of the most common languages spoken is Swahili (or Kiswahili, which is the proper way to identify the language.) Kiswahili is an Arabic word meaning “of the coast” or people of the coast. It is one of 80 Bantulanguages, and is the national language of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and is spoken in Burundi, Rwanda and Zaire, and other parts of central and eastern Africa. This book introduces a word for each of the 24- letters in the Swahili alphabet (No Q or X) with a brief explanation of each word introduces an East African custom.

Unfortunately, my local Barnes and Noble doesn’t have half of these classics. So, to get them in time for February, you may need to order online or check them out from your local library. Remember, this Black History Month Reading List for Young Readers isn’t just for February — it can and should be read year-round.

Charneice McKenzie