Elizabeth Acevedo To Discuss Award-Winning Novel

Brazos Valley Reads will host a discussion and book signing with author Elizabeth Acevedo Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature Acevedo’s novel-in-verse, “The Poet X,” as well as her novel “With the Fire on High.” Brazos Valley Reads is a community effort organized by Texas A&M University’s Department of English, with support from various groups, to foster the connection between Texas A&M students, faculty and staff and the Brazos Valley community at large.

Acevedo’s talk will last an hour, followed by a 15-minute question and answer session and a book signing.

“The Poet X” has been awarded the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Golden Kite Award for Young Adult  Fiction, the Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Fiction and the Carnegie Medal – making Acevedo the first writer of color to win the United Kingdom’s prestigious book award. According judges, “The Poet X” is “a searing, unflinching exploration of culture, family and faith within a truly innovative verse structure.”

She is also the author of the poetry collections “Beastgirl & Other Origin Myths” and “Medusa Reads La Negra’s Palm,” which won the Berkshire Prize. Most recently, she published the prose novel “With the Fire on High,” which will be produced as a film by Picturestart. Acevedo will write the screenplay.

Acevedo is also a talented performer; she is a National Poetry Slam Champion, and represented the United States at the 2016 Women of the World Poetry Slam. Read more about Acevedo’s work on her website.