This book will help me better understand the perspective of a child and her family from another culture because she gave detailed accounts of what life was like for her. She talked about what it was like growing up with a name she did not like. Having two names, one in English and one is in Spanish, was a task in itself. She felt out of place like most young children do when trying to fit in with their peers. This story gave you a look into inner city life and everything that comes with it. I will read books such as this differently in the future now after reading The House on Mango Street. It is eye opening and after taking this class and others like it, I look at these books in a different light. This book seemed like an accurate portrayal of what life must have been like for this girl and I could tell I was emotionally into it. I could feel her pain even though I have not gone through these things first hand as she has. It was a sad story but I think it got the point across without saying “feel sorry for me because I live in the inner city.” This book can be used with students to show that people from diverse populations are just like you and me. They just want to live a healthy and fulfilling life with friends and family. Most of them are trying to make a better life for themselves any way possible. This will help my students see others as equals and not as people of lesser value. I think it can also be used with inner city children to show that nobody is going to feel sorry for them and if they want a better life than they have to earn it themselves. Nobody is going to give them free hand outs all their lives and if they want something bad enough then they have to work for it. This book can be a powerful tool in teaching that to students. ...
