Sandra Cisneros: Latina Writer and Activist

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-10?An inspirational portrait of a Latina woman who showed perseverance and grit, overcoming poverty and cultural biases to become a noted writer and activist. The book details a childhood of frequent moves and trips to Mexico that led to instability and insecurity in Cisneros's educational life until her family bought a bungalow in Chicago when she was 12. After attending Loyola University, she did graduate work at the University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop. However, because of her heritage, Cisneros felt she did not fit in and couldn't find support for her work. Finally, several grants allowed her to write and eventually publish a novel, poetry, and short stories. The book also discusses some of Cisneros's political activities. A valuable title, especially where the writer's books are studied. Black-and-white photos illustrate the text.?Debbie Feulner, Northwest Middle School, Greensboro, NCCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Gr. 6^-10. "I was the girl with the C's and D's. I was the girl in the corner with the goofy glasses from Sears. I was the ugly kid in the class with the bad haircut." Lively quotes from Cisneros herself are the core of this biography, which tells how she found her subject in her identity as a Mexican American woman (Chicana) who grew up poor, "not white, middle-class, or male." All those YAs who love her book The House on Mango Street (1984) will enjoy seeing how much of her writing is rooted in her personal experience, straddling two cultures, both oppressed and enriched by her family and community, and how she writes today, "unmarried and nobody's mother," a poet and activist with a commitment to helping her community. This entry in the Hispanic Biographies series includes a few small black-and-white photographs, a chronology, a bibliography, and full chapter notes that will make it easy for readers to find out more. Hazel Rochman


Card catalog description
Surveys the life and work of this award-winning Latina author.


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Gr 6-10--An inspirational portrait of a Latina woman who showed perseverance and grit, overcoming poverty and cultural biases to become a noted writer and activist. The book details a childhood of frequent moves and trips to Mexico that led to instability and insecurity in Cisneros's educational life until her family bought a bungalow in Chicago when she was 12. After attending Loyola University, she did graduate work at the University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop. However, because of her heritage, Cisneros felt she did not fit in and couldn't find support for her work. Finally, several grants allowed her to write and eventually publish a novel, poetry, and short stories. The book also discusses some of Cisneros's political activities. A valuable title, especially where the writer's books are studied. Black-and-white photos illustrate the text.--Debbie Feulner, Northwest Middle School, Greensboro, NC


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