About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenage daughter feels silenced by high expectations, is questioning her faith, or is navigating the physical and emotional intensity of growing up. Xiomara is a Dominican teenager in Harlem who uses slam poetry to process her world: a strict religious mother, a changing body that invites unwanted attention, and a secret first romance. It is a powerful exploration of female agency and the courage required to claim one's own voice. This novel in verse is emotionally raw and deeply authentic, making it an ideal choice for 14 to 18 year olds who are ready for honest conversations about identity and autonomy. It celebrates the transformative power of art and the messy, necessary work of reconciling personal truth with family tradition. While it contains mature themes regarding sexuality and religious conflict, it ultimately provides a roadmap for healthy self expression and finding common ground through communication.
