Sandra Cisneros was born in 1954 in Chicago. Both her parents were Mexican. Her father spoke Spanish while her mother spoke English. She has six brothers and sisters. It is widely understood that she used her own experiences in Chicago as inspiration for Esperanza and many of the characters in The House on Mango Street.
The House on Mango Street is her first novel, which she refers to in interviews as her “firstborn.” The novel was published in 1984 and received positive reviews. The novel eventually launched Cisneros to a high status as a famous, accomplished Latina author. She has also written a collection of short stories called Woman Hollering Creek, a novel Caramelo, and several...
