A Summer Book Camp: The House on Mango Street

Let’s get away from the traditional novels and classic literature and give into the world of young adult literature! If you love reading and want to share that passion with others, this is the summer camp for you! 

In this 2 week summer camp, students will read the emotional and engaging collection of vignettes: “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros. 
 
The novella, “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros, features a series of short chapters, or vignettes, told from the first-person point of view of Esperanza, a young teenage girl. She moves to the house run-down house on Mango Street, in a poor neighborhood of Chicago with her family. Esperanza tracks her experiences over a year of living in that house. Esperanza never receives the attention from men that some of her friends receive. She describes time spent with her sister, friends and relatives. She highlights significant or telling moments in their lives, mostly moments that show their the difficulties that they experience. 

Esperanza’s story provides an outlet for students to look at history, various cultures, and family structures in a new and exciting way. The book promotes discussion amongst students that will make an incredible and positive lifelong impact on their learning! 

In this summer camp, students will be required to complete assigned readings throughout the two weeks. Each day, students will come to class having read that night’s reading. Students will be prepared to ask questions, discuss the reading with their peers and teacher, and participate in an engaging and interactive analysis of the story. 

In this class we will cover important literary topics such as theme, plot, setting, mood, tone and so much more! This story opens doors for geographical and historical connections that will not be overlooked. Students will also gain an understanding of the history and geography that this story entails. 

After only a few pages, students will be hooked into this story; reading the assigned pages will be a breeze as students will be swept away by the gripping story of Esperanza and her family.

This class will meet three times a week. 

The first meeting students will gain the necessary background information to begin reading the novel. We will play fun and interactive review games to go over basic literary elements. We will also begin reading the first chapter of the story together. With each following meeting, students will come to class having read the assigned pages. 

While discussing the novella, the teacher will ask students thought-provoking questions, check for comprehension and encourage discussion amongst the students. 

This summer camp offers a fun take on book clubs and is guaranteed to foster a love for reading!