Literature for a change…

Part of the reason I started writing here was to discuss literature and books, especially for young adults and middle grade readers. However, I’ve gotten away from that, having been inundated with the politics of teaching. I have read a couple of really good YA books recently and while they don’t seem similar on the surface, their themes definitely tie them together.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo ( https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33294200-the-poet-x?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=4fEHw6oL9q&rank=1) is the story of Xiomara, a young woman who is at odds with her religious mother and writes poetry. She eventually finds slam poetry as an outlet, but not right away. Calling My Name by Liara Tamani (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33829748-calling-my-name?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=PN5q6sO9z8&rank=1) is also a story of a young woman, Taja, from a religious family who is questioning her upbringing and yearns for more independence. Both of these books tell very specific stories but the stories are also universal in their coming of age themes.

Both books are about diverse characters with religious families. While Xiomara’s mother’s behavior is more extreme, both feel stifled by their home lives and are looking to increase their autonomy. They also both have brothers who are treated differently from them. There is a scene in …Name where Taja asks if she can have her own phone line and cites the fact that her brother had them. Her father tells her that he needs to know who’s calling for her and that boys and girls are different. When I read that, I was upset on Taja’s behalf but the sentiment was true to the characters.

Xiomara is finally able to express herself through slam poetry performances which start leading to healing with her mother. Taja doesn’t really get a moment with her parents where she gets to speak her mind, instead her outlet becomes being accepted to college and leaving home.

Both of these stories are great examples of diverse characters and good role models for students. I would recommend these stories as independent reading or literature circles though because they are so specific, I don’t know that they would be appropriate as whole class novels.