Books like The Poet X

Looking for books like The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (Young Adult Fiction · 800L · grades 8–12)? It’s most often read for its themes of identity, coming of age, and family. The 10 titlesbelow are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, genre, and reading level, and each linked to the curricula, states, and grades where it’s assigned, with primary sources.

These are reading-level matches, not just topical ones — so the picks stay grade-appropriate for a grades 8–12 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to The Poet X

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Why each is a match

The Outsiders750L
Shares themes of identity and family, same genre (Young Adult Fiction), and a close reading level (750L vs 800L).
Speak690L
Shares themes of identity and voice and silence, same genre (Young Adult Fiction), and a close reading level (690L vs 800L).
Rebound780L
Shares themes of coming of age and family and a close reading level (780L vs 800L).
The Crossover750L
Shares themes of identity and family and a close reading level (750L vs 800L).
The Fault in Our Stars850L
Shares themes of coming of age, same genre (Young Adult Fiction), and a close reading level (850L vs 800L).
American Born Chinese530L
Shares themes of identity and coming of age, same genre (Young Adult Fiction), and overlapping grades (7–12).
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings1070L
Shares themes of identity, family, and voice and silence and overlapping grades (10–12).
Everything We Never Hadgrades 7–12
Shares themes of identity and family, same genre (Young Adult Fiction), and overlapping grades (7–12).
Never Thought I'd End Up Heregrades 7–12
Shares themes of identity and family, same genre (Young Adult Fiction), and overlapping grades (7–12).
Shut Up, This Is Seriousgrades 9–12
Shares themes of identity and family, same genre (Young Adult Fiction), and overlapping grades (9–12).

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