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The House on Mango Street
By Kate Pavao,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Poetic coming-of-age story deals with abuse, sexual assault.
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A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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Community Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Worst book my child has read in a long time
Not appropriate for most ages
What's the Story?
In lyrical language, a young girl discusses growing up in a lower-income Latino neighborhood. She tells her story in short vignettes, describing her friends, her family, and 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?
In these short, poetic installments, Sandra Cisneros captures the sadness and desperation Esperanza sees among her neighbors, especially the women. Esperanza 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, only to end up trapped by her husband, who doesn't allow her to see friends or leave the house. There's also the confusion that comes with growing up, and the beauty in small moments, like riding a bike with friends.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the writing in The House on Mango Street. 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?
The House on Mango Street was first published in 1984. Why do you think it has had such a lasting appeal? Do you think it's still as relevant as it was when it was published?
Book Details
- Author: Sandra Cisneros
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Vintage Books
- Publication date: April 9, 1991
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 17
- Number of pages: 128
- Last updated: October 9, 2021
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