Reader’s Guide to Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street.

Angel, Ann. Reader’s Guide to Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street.

Enslow 2010 128p 31.93 Multicultural Literature(Enslow)

978-0-7660-3167-8 hs E-BN

A critical analysis of character, writing style, culture, and the importance of Cisneros’s Latina literature with special focus on The House on Mango Street. and the strong autobiographical connection between Cisneros and her writing. For grades 8 and up. The House on Mango Street was one of the first widely acclaimed pieces of Latina writing. In this book, the reader will find the strong autobiographical connection between Cisneros and her writing. Interspersing biographical material with literary criticism, the author makes a strong point of the book’s relevance to today’s Latino culture. Chapters include character analysis of Esperanza Cordero, the lead character in The House on Mango Street, and an explanation of Latina culture. Plot, poetic devices and literary style are described in other chapters. Students studying her poetry and short stories will find information about the major pieces in these writing styles. The impact of Cisneros’s work concludes the book as well as the numerous awards given to her. A glossary could have been increased to include words like chapbook (defined in the first context, but not in later chapters) and the difference between Latina and Hispanic. The distinction between Latina and Hispanic is found in the text, but a glossary entry would have also been helpful. The book also contains an extensive index, chapter notes, a timeline and contemporary color photos. Strongly recommended where Cisneros is studied in literature classes. For grades 8 and up. McNicol,Lois