I believe The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros is a great read and that many people should take the time to read this novel. Though the book has received lots of criticism I still believe teens and even adults should read this novel. It has many reoccurring themes and morals that are very important in life, especially to teens. Also, this book is very relatable to me personally, so I had much in common with Esperanza, the main character and protagonist of the novel.

As I previously mentioned, one reason I liked this novel and believe people should read this it is because it’s very relatable. I know there are many teenage girls out there who have seen and been through things Esperanza has been through. For me personally, I can say I have experienced some of the things Esperanza’s been through. When I was younger I was moving around a lot and even switching in and out of multiple schools. At the time I was younger and didn’t think too much of it, but over time I noticed it became regular for me. Now that I’m a bit older and mature I notice that there was a lot going on when I was younger. Also, relating back to Esperanza, there have been times where one of my friends wouldn’t go somewhere with me because she wanted to hang out with a boy. I’m pretty sure when every girl was young they had the mindset off “eww boys” and so did I. But as I got older I developed an interest in boys and began to like them, and I feel that every girl goes through this particular stage.

Another reason I enjoyed this book is because it includes many themes, that I believe most novels and stories typically have. For example, when Esperanza says, “No, this isn’t my house I say and shake my head as if shaking could undo the year I’ve lived here. I don’t belong. I don’t ever want to come from here.” In this quote Esperanza claims that she does not belong to her house on mango street because of everything that’s happened over the past year while living there. Though she doesn’t like her home here and the things that’s happened she will never escape from the fact that she comes from mango street. This is how I feel about a lot of things in life, very personal things, personal things that’ve happened to me in the past that make me who I am. There are things that I was once ashamed of to tell people especially those close to me, but now I own it. No matter if it was something positive or negative, good or bad, it has got me to where I am now , and to have the mindset I have now. It’s shaped my character, and helped me become much stronger mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. It’s very important to know who and what you come from.

In conclusion, I’d love for others, especially teenage females to read The House On Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros. It’s a great read, and definitely won’t be a waste of time. Despite the amount of hate the novel has received I feel it’s a great eye-opener. I know personally I’ve learned many things about myself after reading that book, and I know for a fact that other teenage girls with learn more about themselves as well.