About Elizabeth Acevedo
Elizabeth Acevedo, born on February 15, 1988, is a Dominican-American author and poet. She is an acclaimed champion spoken-word artist whose work has profoundly shaped contemporary young adult literature. She first gained prominence in the poetry slam community, eventually earning the title of National Slam Champion and serving as the head coach for the D.C. Youth Slam Team. Her dynamic performances have graced prestigious international stages, from the Lincoln Center and the John F. Kennedy Center to South Africa’s State Theatre and the National Library of Kosovo.Acevedo successfully transitioned her performance roots into a groundbreaking literary career, beginning with her 2016 chapbook, Beastgirl and Other Origin Myths, which was a finalist for the YesYes Chapbook Prize. Her debut novel, The Poet X (2018), became a cultural phenomenon and a New York Times bestseller. Written entirely in free verse, the novel secured her a place in literary history by winning the National Book Award, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Pura Belpré Award, and the Carnegie Medal, making her the first person of color to receive the latter. She followed this success with the highly praised novels With the Fire on High (2019) and Clap When You Land (2020), a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor winner exploring the lives of two sisters brought together by tragedy. She is also the winner of the 2019 Michael L. Printz Award, the 2018 Pura Belpré Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Best Children's Fiction of 2018.
Her enduring impact on literature and literacy has earned her significant institutional recognition. In September 2022, the Poetry Foundation named her the Young People's Poet Laureate. Reflecting her growing international stature, she was shortlisted for three consecutive years (2021–2023) for Sweden's prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. A dedicated advocate for marginalized voices, Acevedo continues to foster community and craft as both a Cave Canem fellow and a CantoMundo fellow. Her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Poetry, Puerto Del Sol, Callaloo, The Notre Dame Review, and other publications.
Browse all poems and texts published on Elizabeth Acevedo
I only know that learning to believe in the power of my own words has been the most freeing experience of my life. It has brought me the most light. And isn’t that what a poem is? A lantern glowing in the dark.
