Sandra Cisneros

Gr 5-8 In many ways, this biography follows the genre's standard formula. It describes Cisneros's parents' lives, her childhood and her college years, her struggles to get her fiction and poetry published, and her success as a leading Chicana author. But Warrick brings originality to Cisneros's story by explaining how the facts of the novelist's life provide a foundation for her advocacy on behalf of others. For instance, the author explains that as a poor girl growing up in a conservative Latino community, Cisneros saw many women whose lives and aspirations were restricted by cultural traditions. As a result, she was inspired to use fiction to express what she calls "the words of thousands of silent women" who did not share her opportunities for advancement and independence. Sidebars shed further light on how Cisneros's life informs her work. For example, "Balancing Act" describes how the writer navigates her dual Mexican and American cultures. Back matter includes a chronology of the major events in her life and a list of all of her published works. The text is well documented with endnotes, which often include URLs so readers can easily access Warrick's primary sources. The glossary includes cultural terms as well as publishing-industry terms such as "advance." This straightforward, thorough biography is a solid addition to most collections."Mary Landrum, Lexington Public Library, KY" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.