Schraff, Anne The Water’s Edge

Schraff, Anne     The Water’s Edge   

Saddleback  2011  197p  8.95  978-1-61651-589-8 

 ms/hs E-BN  Multicultural      

    Ernest lives in the barrio but he has dreams of a future where he will leave the barrio looking for fame and fortune through education. However, there are days when those dreams seem like that is all they are just dreams and nothing more. How can Ernesto overcome the barrio mentality of failure and pursue his dream of triumph?   A high low interest book that will be enjoyed by boys. This story is about Ernesto a Latino boy who’s father teaches history at the high school he attends. His father is always trying to help kids in trouble and he has taught the whole family good values. For Ernesto this means that he must try to help his fellow students who need help in finding a way to stay in school. Unfortunately, it also made him a target for abuse from those who felt he and his dad were just two goody two shoes. Many time he was told that he hid behind his dad and Ernesto began to think that maybe he did, at least a little bit and maybe it was time for him to stand on his legs.
     A barrio story with all it’s complexity and the people who live there trying to live the best way they can. The story is very positive and shows that although you live in a barrio that does not mean you should just let live happen. You have to participate and help your life take form. Ernesto is surrounded by failure but he is determined to pursue his dreams of becoming someone and leaving behind the barrio mentality.
 Excellent book for Latino boys. We need more of this kind of books.    Urban Underground (Saddleback)            Latino teenagers - High School - barrio - conflicts    Magna Diaz

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