 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The House on Mango Street
- By Sandra Cisneros
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
A poetic -- and classic -- coming-of-age story.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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. This is a book that is often used in the classroom setting, and parents and teachers can use it to open up a variety of discussions. See our "Families Can Talk About" section for some ideas about getting started.
What's the story?
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."
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the writing style here. The book is written in vignettes; is this an effective way to tell a story? How would the book have been different if it had been a more straightforward novel?
This book was first published in 1984. Why do you think it has had such a lasting appeal? Do you think it is still as relevant as it was when it was published?
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AGE
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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AGE
Terrible book, don't expect to take anything out of it
This book is a disgrace to educational books. It is a terrible book, that looks as if it was written by a 7 year old. Its vignettes are totally unrelated to each other, and they have no value in them. No message to take out. It doesn't even leave you with anything to try and analyze it. At a random point in the story, three clairvoyants come to her neighborhood and tell her what's going to happen with her life, what is the message there? That Divination is real? I had to read this book in my Multicultural Literature class, and I have to say, it's the ONLY book that I've EVER read that I dislike. Even the questions the teacher asked about it only related to things that happened, not the theme, considering there isn't one. It's just overall a terrible book, that people could read in their free time, but should not be given to kids in school to read, and analyze. It's a waste of the limited time our foolish education system gives us.
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AGE
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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AGE
WORST BOOK EVER!!
YUP... tthe WORST BOOK EVER!
For the love of hmanity don't force your children to read this book. I thought about shreding this book after I read it, but I couldn't since its a book I had to read for school. :P
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AGE
I'd say 13 and up is perfect...
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.
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AGE
Helpful For a Young Girl's Life
I first read this book in 7th grade, and it is still amazing to me. It inspires young girls to keep trying and empowers us to stand up for ourselves, others, and for what we know is right. Not only is the story plot great, but The House on Mango Street is a series of vignettes so it gives your child a wider range of variety in what they read. This is not an easy read. The language may be easy, but in order to truly get Sandra Cisneros's story, you must be able to reflect on the passages. I do recommend this book to any one who is willing to go on the journey with Cisneros. If you are thinking about or wanting your child to read this magnificent book, you should read it as well.
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AGE
Give this book a chance!
You have to go into this book with an open mind or you will not enjoy it. I think the reason people are saying that they dislike this book so much is because it is GRITTY. This book is written from the point of view of a young girl who lives in an poor, largely Hispanic neighborhood, and is faced with many situations that most people would not come across. This book is not butterflies and daisies and girls who giggle during sleepovers. This book is about girls that were unkowningly driving around in a stolen car, who sang jump-roping songs about pregnancies, who were hit by their fathers and husbands, who had to trade money for friendship (although that situation was actually pretty light-hearted and funny). This is an AMAZING book. Don't let the strange, surprising situations unnerve you. Sandra Cisneros is a poetic master who knows more about these situations than anyone else. As a girl who recieved this book on her 12th birthday, I must tell you that the first time you read this book, you might be sickened or bored. But PLEASE! GIVE THE BOOK A CHANCE!
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AGE
Teaches a perfect lesson
I think that this book is actually good for 11 and up, because this is the real world it isn't always sunshine and dasies,sometimes you have to wake up,and see the big picture,and I think that this book teaches kids that lesson.
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| Author: | Sandra Cisneros |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Vintage Books |
| Publication date: | April 9, 1991 |
| Number of pages: | 128 |
| Hardcover price: | $24.00 |
| Paperback price: | $9.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 13 |
| Read alone: | 13 |
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