Los Angeles Times Book Prize
1 appearances
-
Edition 39 (2018) Winner
Elizabeth Acevedo
エリザベス・アセベド
Elizabeth Acevedo
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1988-05-10 （Harlem, New York City, United States）
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Religion
- Catholic (raised)
- Residence History
- Harlem, New York (raised) → Washington, D.C. (residence)
Career
- Occupations
- Author, Poet, Instructor
- Active Years
- 2010-
- Memberships
- CantoMundo fellow, Cave Canem fellow
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Beacon School | — | High school (English/performing arts) | — | — | United States |
| George Washington University | Performing Arts (self-designed interdisciplinary program) | Custom-designed interdisciplinary program (performing arts, English, sociology) | Bachelor of Arts | 2006–2010 | United States |
| University of Maryland, College Park | — | Creative Writing (M.F.A.) | M.F.A. in Creative Writing | — | United States |
The Beacon School
High school (English/performing arts)
Country:
United States
Participated in after-school poetry club in high school
George Washington University
Performing Arts (self-designed interdisciplinary program)
/ Custom-designed interdisciplinary program (performing arts, English, sociology)
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Period:
2006–2010
Year of Graduation:
2010
Country:
United States
Designed her own degree using courses in performing arts, English, and sociology
University of Maryland, College Park
Creative Writing (M.F.A.)
Degree:
M.F.A. in Creative Writing
Country:
United States
Completed an MFA in Creative Writing and has served as an adjunct instructor
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | National Book Award for Young People's Literature | The Poet X | — | National Book Foundation | Winner |
| 2019 | Michael L. Printz Award | The Poet X | — | American Library Association (YALSA) | Winner |
| 2019 | Pura Belpré Award | The Poet X | — | American Library Association (ALA) | Winner |
| 2019 | Carnegie Medal | The Poet X | — | Carnegie Medal (CILIP) | Winner |
| 2018 | Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (Honor) | The Poet X | Children's/Young Adult Fiction | Boston Globe / The Horn Book | Honor |
| 2020 | Goodreads Choice Awards — Young Adult Fiction | Clap When You Land | — | Goodreads | Winner |
| 2024 | NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction) | Family Lore | — | NAACP | Winner |
| 2018 | Kirkus Prize | The Poet X | — | Kirkus Reviews | Finalist |
National Book Award for Young People's Literature
2018
Work:
The Poet X
Organization:
National Book Foundation
Result:
Winner
Michael L. Printz Award
2019
Work:
The Poet X
Organization:
American Library Association (YALSA)
Result:
Winner
Pura Belpré Award
2019
Work:
The Poet X
Organization:
American Library Association (ALA)
Result:
Winner
Carnegie Medal
2019
Work:
The Poet X
Organization:
Carnegie Medal (CILIP)
Result:
Winner
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (Honor)
2018
Work:
The Poet X
Category:
Children's/Young Adult Fiction
Organization:
Boston Globe / The Horn Book
Result:
Honor
Goodreads Choice Awards — Young Adult Fiction
2020
Work:
Clap When You Land
Organization:
Goodreads
Result:
Winner
NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction)
2024
Work:
Family Lore
Organization:
NAACP
Result:
Winner
Kirkus Prize
2018
Work:
The Poet X
Organization:
Kirkus Reviews
Result:
Finalist
Awards & Nominations
Carnegie Medal for Writing
1 appearances
-
Edition 84 (2019) Winner
Pura Belpré Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 18 (2019) Winner
Michael L. Printz Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 20 (2019) Winner
Goodreads Choice Awards
1 appearances
-
Edition 12 (2020) Winner
Works
Major Works
Beastgirl and Other Origin Myths
2016 Poetry / ChapbookA chapbook of short poems and stories exploring youth, identity, and cultural roots.
IdentityCultural rootsYouth experience
The Poet X
2018 Young adult fiction (novel-in-verse)A novel-in-verse about a Dominican-American girl finding her voice, grappling with family, faith, and identity.
Self-discoveryReligion and conflictComing-of-ageLatina identity
With the Fire on High
2019 Young adult fictionA story of a young woman balancing family, food, and her dreams, exploring cultural expectations and faith.
FamilyFood and cultureAspirations
Clap When You Land
2020 Young adult fiction (with poetic elements)After the death of their father, two sisters raised apart learn of each other and navigate grief and reconciliation.
LossFamily secretsSisterhood
Family Lore
2023 Adult fictionAn adult novel that explores family history, memory, and immigrant stories across generations.
Immigrant experienceIntergenerational storiesFamily history
Bibliography
- Beastgirl and Other Origin Myths (2016)
- The Poet X (2018)
- With the Fire on High (2019)
- Clap When You Land (2020)
- Family Lore (2023)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Colloquial, rhythm-driven style influenced by slam poetryFrequent use of novel-in-verse/poetic fragmentsEmotionally intense and performance-friendly language
- Recurring Motifs
- Family and lineageReligion and faith conflictsLatina identity and immigrationFood and community
Legacy
A leading voice in contemporary YA literature who expanded representation and the use of performance poetry in fiction. Her work is highly regarded for bringing Afro-Latina perspectives to young readers.
Academic Societies
- CantoMundo
- Cave Canem
In Popular Culture
- Known for TED Talks and spoken-word performances at festivals and major venues
Trivia
- Raised in Harlem by Dominican immigrant parents.
- Participated in Teach For America and formerly taught middle school English.
- Former National Poetry Slam champion with extensive spoken-word experience.
- Official website: http://www.acevedowrites.com/ (subject to change)