The power of storytelling
This text is based on Elizabeth Acevedo's novel "The Poet The novel is told from Xiomara's point of view, and describes her poetic journaling of her life, her views on religion, the sexual harassment she constantly faces, her relationship with her strict parents, her new taboo boyfriend, and her challenge to discover her voice as a young woman of color.

Xiomara faces conflicts with her immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, who force her to participate in Catholic confirmation rituals while raising questions about her religion and gender roles. Her teacher, Mrs. Galeano, encourages Xiomara to join the poetry club at school, but this conflicts with her confirmation classes. Xiomara also develops feelings for Aman, her biology classmate, but her parents forbid her from dating.

When her mother discovers her poetry journal, which she considers blasphemous, she burns it. This pivotal event prompts Xiomara to run away from home and go to stay with Aman. After encouragement from Mrs. Galeano, Xiomara returns home, taking Pastor Son as a mediator for a family reconciliation.

Eventually, with the encouragement of her friends and family, Xiomarafi participates in a poetry competition at a famous Nuyorican café. She discovers that believing the power of her words is the most liberating thing in her life.