This month’s FYA Book Club selection is The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Check out the discussion questions below! (Slight spoilers ahead.)
P.S. If you’ve already read the book, feel free to add any other discussion questions of your own in the comments!
Icebreaker
Did you ever have a secret you were afraid of telling your parents?
Questions
1. Acevedo draws a lot of parallels between Xiomara and her mother, but Mami is also Xiomara’s ultimate foil. In what ways are Xiomara and her mother alike? Did these traits make Mami a more sympathetic character for you or not?
2. Xio’s identity as an Afro-Latina obviously impacts her perspective and her day-to-day life. Did you find anything Acevedo did in writing her story to be particularly compelling or effective in making that portrait rich and/or nuanced?
3. Feeling silenced and invisible are recurring themes for Xiomara. Do you think these are universal themes for teen girls, especially teen girls of color? If so, why?
4. Were you surprised by the reveal of Twin’s homosexuality? Why or why not?
5. Xio wrestles with a lot of what she’s taught in church and in confirmation class. What did you think about how Father Sean handled that?
6. Did any moments or scenes in this book make you tear up? If so, which ones? And did any parts make you want to pump your fists?
7. Have you read many books written in verse? Did The Poet X make you want to read more verse books?
8. Acevedo is an award-winning slam poet, and she reads the audiobook herself. Did you read the book, or listen to the audiobook? What are some advantages of one over the other?
