I'm not done with it yet (I'm reading it for school) but so far it is good. The House on Mango Street is a book of vignettes. For an assignment, we have to right vignettes about our lives, and later will be made into books! It's really fun. Anyways, for this book I'd rate it for ages 13 and up. It would be too hard for younger kids to read, and it does have violence and sexuality.
The House on Mango Street
(1991, Fiction - Coming of age, Written by Sandra Cisneros)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A poetic -- and classic -- coming-of-age story.
Themes in this book include: family relationships, growing up
updated 01.27.10
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–16
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Role models:
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The House on Mango Street was written by Kate Pavao
Parents need to know that this coming-of-age novel features gritty material including child abuse, a rape, and men who treat their wives like prisoners. However, it also features a smart, gifted narrator who is determined to "say goodbye" to her impoverished Latino neighborhood.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the writing style here. The book is written in vignettes; is this an effective way to tell a story?
- How does the style reflect Esperanza's age?
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More on The House on Mango Street
Book Summary
In lyrical language, a young girl discusses growing up in a poor, Latino neighborhood. She tells her story in short vignettes, describing her friends, her family, her neighbors, and her dream to have a "house all my own... Only a house quiet as snow, a space for myself to go, clean as paper before the poem."
Is It Any Good?
Esperanza Cordero writes about her house on Mango Street with "windows so small you'd think they were holding their breath;" her mother, who quit school and pushes her to continue her education; and her friend Sally, who gets married too young to escape her house, and ends up a virtual prisoner to her husband. In these short, poetic installments, Sandra Cisneros captures the sadness and desperation Esperanza sees among her neighbors, especially the women, the confusion that comes with growing up -- and the beauty in small moments, like riding a bike with friends.
Readers may not be able to relate exactly to Esperanza's world -- which includes one room for the whole family to sleep in, men who prey on young girls, and husbands and fathers who mistreat their children -- but they will understand her quest for a better life, and the importance of her promise to come back for "the ones I left behind."
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: Vintage Books, Publication date: 4/9/1991
Number of pages: 128, Price: $9.95 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 13, Read Alone: 13
Number of pages: 128, Price: $9.95 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 13, Read Alone: 13
Our Members Say
See 8 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I'd say 13 and up is perfect...
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
i am i high school student in texas and i am reading this novel, and frankly i am not in the least bit impressed with it. its a story that has no connection between vignettes and is no more than a collaberation of random short stories. in my oppinion a sixth grader could have written this book.
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Reality's problems are harsh, but it's not selling off sex or anything.
It DOES have struggles of sexual and stress probelms in life, but in the end it's very inspirational and overcoming of trials to reach a gial or dream, and it's a fun style to read, like a girl writing a journal. Very poetic in some chapters and altho the issues are cruel and sexual, it's just a girl trying to survive. It's not like the character is asking for it or anything, so it's not teaching girls to act all... well you know the word.
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
Dont read if you're under 16
I thought this book was suggesting things for young girls to become involved in
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I rate this title off for age 12 and give it
e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
ONE THING: THis is the worst most boring most random book ive read in my entire life
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
the bok was enjoyable to read
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I rate this title iffy and give it
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I rate this title on and give it
1st book i could not put down untill i finished!!!!!!
This book relates to any one in many diffrent ways. Its either something you have been thrue, you think its funny, or its just too good. when you read this book you are going to fall in love with it.You will fell like one of the characters and its going to relate to you as if you are the one telling the story.Esperanza is a young lady that moves all across town.when she gets to mango street,she is so ashamed of her raggity old house and gets her feelings heart because of it.After time she makes friends, but there is one friend that she should of never met....read and find out.
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