Why read The House on Mango Street?
It is a work of fiction that depicts the reality of being Mexican and growing up poor in Chicago, which is like being an immigrant and poor in many other cities in the world. The book uses a child's vantage point in narration, with the plucky Esperanza acting as narrator.
Not only are a number of resources available about this book, which recently celebrated it's 25th anniversary (published in 1984, in 2014), but it is interesting to note that the story has been used in alphabetization classes, as well as in schools (middle schools and high schools in the U.S.). It has now sold over two million copies, and has also been produced as a play.
Sandra Cisneros on her work
The author reads chapters (or vignettes) from the book
The author speaks about the inspiration for the book, explaining her creative process
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXO8a6HYttwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXO8a6HYttw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CuRcFkH9nUhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CuRcFkH9nU
Text of the book
(does copyright not apply?)
People reading from the book
part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQVbKB7SGTchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQVbKB7SGTc
story 6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHmkdkMWrX8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHmkdkMWrX8
Other Resources
Ezzi, The House on Mango Street Book Review, MulticulturalFamilia (Sept 22, 2011).
Articles on The House on Mango Street that have featured in the Chicago Tribune.
Julio Cañero Serrano, "Esperanza's Transcendence: Sense of Community in Cisneros' The House on Mango Street" (link to pdf here).
Reviews of the play version via Chicago Critic.
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Once you've finished the book, you'll be able to evaluate whether or not you think this short clip truly represents the book.