Cisneros and Mango

1. Cisneros and Mango “Americana has welcomed Cisneros like a cool drink of water on an hot Chicago day.” What are your first thoughts/impressions about this quote?

2. 1954-present Mexican/American Born in Chicago Grew up in poverty Only girl in a family of seven Family moved around a lot How did this affect her as a child? What was the impact these things had on Cisneros? Sandra Cisneros Cisneros became a quiet, careful observer of the people and events around her. She recorded her feelings through secret writings at home.

3. House on Mango Street • Book of vignettes • Sometimes not full stories, but snapshots of a time, place, people • Stories add up to tell one big story, each story is contributed to the whole (like beads on a necklace) • In order to help you understand the purpose of each story, you will keep a chart of notes (handout) • Narrated in voice of young girl • Book about culture, racism, poverty, prejudice, childhood, identity, shame, emotions

4. YOU! • This book will focus on YOU! • Goal: for you to think about and write about your own experiences: your house, your family, your neighbors, your dreams and disappointments, the way you relate to others, your fears, your future • The reading schedule is divided up into 8 sections. For each section of reading, there will be BIG questions. Example: In what parts of your life would you most like to escape?

5. The Low Down • HOMS is quite simple, and it provides us with an exciting opportunity to see and hear how others react to the exact same thing you are reading. The great thing about humans? Not a single one of us are the same... talk about diversity! • The books allows us to see how other perceive the same literature that we are reading…to see it through their eyes, and then to respond in our own individual ways. • So what’s it all about? It’s about relating to others; it’s about learning to see through different eyes; its about growing up and learning to survive in the world around you. It’s a book you will never forget. • Essentially, we are going to spend a lot of time in the next two weeks just talking. Yeehaw!

6. Reading Schedule • Yes, you will have reading every night. But… • There are no reading quizzes or study guides. Instead, I want you to read for enjoyment. RELAX! Cuddle up with the book, grab a cup of joe and sit down, or lounge on the couch. • I will ask that, as you read, you try to make connections to your own life. Perhaps you make these connections at the end of each chapter. You could possibly ask BIG questions about your own life for each chapter. Maybe you do a close read and connect yourself to Esperanza for each chapter. You should interact how YOU feel comfortable! • Holding you accountable? 1. you will have a journal of questions to answer for each section of reading • 2. I will, at random times, look through your book to see how you are making connections. If you have nothing- ZERO. I need to you to come to class prepared to discuss the book and its meaning and your own life …it’s time to get personal!