Author Archives: Ema S.

The House on Mango Street

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The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is a classic book that I believe should be read by everyone, of any age. This novel is composed of short vignettes following the life of a young girl named Esperanza living in a small house in Chicago. The descriptive storytelling style is broken up into 44 short stories, each one no more than two pages in length, totaling a little over 100 pages. It is a fairly quick and easy read, and it can be referred back to at any point without having to reread the entire thing. I first heard of this book in middle school, when I had to read about five of the vignettes. Those have stuck with me, and have continued to be some of my favorites, along with the new favorites I discovered through reading the whole book.

I believe this book should be read by anyone of any age, mainly because of the variety of characters that are introduced. Readers get to learn about Esperanza’s neighbors, who are all quirky in their own ways. We learn about Esperanza’s siblings, her friends, the younger kids on the street, the people who move in and out, the teenagers, the adults, and the elderly. Her neighbors are a diverse cast of characters who each have their own struggles in life, but they form a community on Mango Street. One of my favorite things about the novel is how it is told from the eyes of a young girl. I find that I could relate to her at any age, from reading it when I was in middle school, about the age Esperanza is in the book, but also reading it as I get older when I can see her growth and relate to other characters.

Another one of my favorite things about it is the dedication. The novel is dedicated both in English and Spanish to “The Women” or “Las Mujeres.” The House on Mango Street focuses on the female experience, highlighting female characters that Esperanza interacts with but also observes from afar. The stories about Marin and Sally highlight the struggles of being a girl and the story titled “Rafaela Who Drinks Coconut and Papaya Juice on Tuesdays” depicts Esperanza’s fear of becoming, as she describes it, a woman who sits by the window waiting for her husband. Esperanza wants to be independent, she wants a house of her own one day, that she doesn’t have to share with her entire family. I also loved how there were stories about Esperanza’s parents and her family as a whole. Rather than seeing her observe others, readers get to see someone who she really understands.

Ultimately, I loved this book and I can see myself referring back to it as I get older. If this was a required reading for you, I highly recommend taking another look at it, because it truly is an essential book for young readers. My favorite vignettes include, “My Name,” “Marin,” “Hips,” and “Beautiful and Cruel.” If you don’t read the whole book, I recommend reading those at least.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Looking For Alaska

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I recently finished reading Looking For Alaska by John Green. This was John Green’s first novel, and probably one of my favorite books of his. One of the things I like the most about John Green’s writing is his portrayal of teenagers. While I cannot always relate to them, he makes them feel real and human, and not like stereotypical teenagers seen in other forms of media. Looking for Alaska came out in 2005, which is presumably when the story takes place, and I love reading books that take place in a setting where the characters don’t interact with any sort of technology. The setting of this novel, taking place in rural Alabama, made me feel like I was reading about summer camp. I recommend reading this book as a Junior in high school. Not that you can’t read it earlier or later, but I felt like I was able to understand the characters on a deeper level since I was reading about people my age. Though I wasn’t able to relate to their struggles or the antics they got up to, I felt like they were just as interesting to read about. 

This novel follows Miles, a teenage boy who is new to a boarding school in Alabama. He doesn’t have many friends in his hometown, but he quickly gets taken in by Chip, his roommate. Chip, nicknamed “The Colonel” leads Miles to all kinds of antics, pranks, and adventures. He introduces Miles to Alaska and Takumi. Alaska, who the book is named for, is quirky and rebellious, and Miles immediately takes a liking to her. Their dynamic is typical of a group of unpopular kids finding each other, and having fun, and sticking together. 

Looking For Alaska is full of both comedy and heartbreak. It is beautifully written, it is witty, and has its deep moments woven throughout the comedy. Each character has their own struggles, backgrounds, and quirks, which are revealed in a scene where they open up to each other. The Colonel, aka Chip, is perceived as tough and scary on the outside, but is intelligent and kind-hearted. He quickly became one of my favorite characters and seeing him express his emotions was one of my favorite parts of the book. I also loved seeing the characters develop. By being around his friends, Miles becomes smarter, and he learns about things that he wouldn’t have learned about in school. Mainly through Alaska and her massive book collection. Miles and Takumi didn’t have much to talk about at first, but as the book progresses, they find themselves in situations where they become closer. 

Because of the setting and the well-developed characters, I felt like I was actually in the book. I felt like I was running around with Alaska and Miles, or sitting with them plotting a prank. And though it takes place in rural Alabama, because John Green writes a boring place so well, I felt immersed in the story through the setting. Not only are the characters quirky, but the school is as well. From its basketball team to its evil swans, the boarding school feels so well thought out. I could say I loved everything about this book. Even the heartbreaking plot twist. I love the references to literature and famous last words, and I walked away from this book feeling like I learned something.

Looking for Alaska by John Green is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Paper Towns by John Green

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I first read Paper Towns when I was 14, and it quickly became one of my favorite books of all time. I would consider this book to be a “classic” that any teenager should read. John Green writes about the teenage experience in a way that many pieces of media fail to capture. Paper Towns follows teenagers Quentin Jacobsen and Margo Roth Spiegelman. Quentin, being neighbors with Margo since they were kids, watches Margo from afar, and she never seems to notice him. One day, Margo approaches his window with the promise of an adventure. The next day, she goes missing.

On their adventure, Margo and Quentin drive through their hometown of Orlando Florida in the middle of the night on a sort of scavenger hunt, and it places the reader right into the action. I love this scene, and I think it is the perfect introduction to the rest of Margo’s journey.

This book is full of adventure, mystery, and anticipation. It is funny, and witty and keeps you on the edge of your seat. All the characters are loveable and relatable, and by the end of the book you’ll either love or hate Margo’s quirky personality. The last chapter is a long adventure, with twists and turns, and one of my favorite endings I’ve ever read. The concept of a “Paper Town” is explained, and it’s something I had never heard of before, but it was really cool to learn about. Throughout the book, you get to see the characters evolve. Quentin, who was perceived as uncool and dorky seems to find himself, and Margo, who was a stereotypical popular girl, shows her true personality as she spends time with Quentin and his friends.

Ultimately Paper Towns is an essential novel for teenagers and a classic in the YA genre. This book is perfect for any age, and I believe everyone should read it at least once in their life. Someone recommended this book to me when I was younger and browsing the YA section at a bookstore, and I thank the person who gave it to me.

Paper Towns by John Green is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded for free from Libby.