The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros

In The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros, Esperanza Cordero is determined to "say goodbye" to her Latino neighborhood. While living in an impoverished Chicago ghetto, Esperanza witnesses the lives of people living on Mango Street, which include her family that sleeps in one room, men that prey on young girls, and husbands and fathers that mistreat their loved ones. This is a coming-of-age novel that is written as a series of vignettes. While reading this book, it is as if you are growing up with Esperanza, going through the things she goes through: betrayal, shame, rape, and finally, acceptance. You find yourself as Esperanza finds herself, and Cisneros makes you feel all the emotions she has put into this book. I recommend this book to everyone because it is a very sweet, honest, and blunt book that doesn't use many literary embellishments to get to its passionate core. - Reviewed by Ina, grade 9. .

Jinx, by Meg Cabot

Jean hates her nickname, and that is Jinx. She is known for her bad luck. That's why she is excited that she is going to New York City for the year, in hopes to start a new, fresh life. But her dreams are ruined when her curse comes to haunt her once again. Will she make it before time runs out? Meg Cabot's Jinx lures you into the characters' lives and problems. It's a hilarious read and I recommend it to everyone. - Reviewed by Katarina, grade 8. .