The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

From under the thumb of her mum, Xiomera finds freedom, strength and expression in poetry. Xiomera doesn't shy away from fighting - whether it's the boys who grab at her, or the people who give her twin brother a hard time - she's not to be messed with. But it's not so easy standing up to her mum.

She lives in a strict household, and her mum's interpretation of their religion makes life extremely hard; Xiomera's treated differently to her brother just because she's a girl. She gets more chores, more rules, and it's all completely sexist and uneven with her brother. But, in her poems, she finds strength.

This novel is INCREDIBLE. It is some of the most beautiful YA writing I've come across. I LOVE that it's all written in Xiomera's poetry. It's very emotional - the way she is treated so cruelly is hard to read. But she is a proper fighter, and after being shut down for so long, she finds her perfect way of being seen and heard: slam poetry.

This is a book for #strictparents #abuse #sexism and #innerstrength

Video review here.