So says 12-year-old Esperanza, whose life in Chicago is told over a series of vignettes that make up The House on Mango Street.
“In English, my name means hope. In Spanish, it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting.” So says 12-year-old Esperanza, whose life in Chicago is told over a series of vignettes that make up The House on Mango Street. This instant classic, which showcases the lives of Mexican Americans, is considered a seminal work for Latin Americans and beyond. The coming-of-age narrative is a smart pick for teens looking for books about diversity, but this is a classic that adults can (and should!) pick up too.