Jan Priddy answers “Is this book appropriate for a 12 year old?”

A Goodreads user asked this question about The House on Mango Street:

Is this book appropriate for a 12 year old?

Jan Priddy I taught it to high school sophomores and juniors. It is not a children's book, but other than "My First Job" "Monkey Garden" and "Red Clowns" there i…moreI taught it to high school sophomores and juniors. It is not a children's book, but other than "My First Job" "Monkey Garden" and "Red Clowns" there is nothing explicitly sexual or harmful, no language or violence—and those stories are so very euphemistic that a six year old could listen without harm or much confusion. That said, there are some stories that are really wonderful for a very young child: "Hairs" is one. "Darius & the Clouds" and "And Some More" are lovely and funny, innocent and wise.

My students would each choose a story (not all were their choice) and we would read the entire book aloud in a week. It is a genuinely remarkable book for its revelations about childhood and children. (less)

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The House on Mango Street

by Sandra Cisneros

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