people and places

Victor Martinez's Parrot in the Oven, was in my opinion, one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. Its not a book that demands a great amount of intelligence from the reader because it is written in a form that can be read by a wide range of ages, but the story is truly genuine. It focuses on the life of Manuel Hernandez and his family's struggle with problems such as a racism, poverty, and violence. Forteen year old Manuel, often called "Manny", has an older brother, Bernardo, often referred to as "Nardo", an older sister, Magda, and a younger sister Pedi. They live in the projects, constantly avoiding people such as the Garcia family, who are almost always up-to-no-good. Manuel's father can't keep a job, much like his son Bernardo. His father spends most of his free time at Rico's Pool Hall intoxicating himself into an angry stooper, only to return to his home, occasionally reulting in abusive behavior. Manuel's mother tries so hard to maintain a clean, and socially acceptable home, but her continuous arguments with her husband, as well as Magda's lack for respect and responsibility, manage to keep her stress level high, and the thought of true happiness inconceivable. Manuel desperately wants to be respected, but what he really wants is to be loved, especially by a girl. He once said, "Just thinking about telling a girl I liked her clamped the muscles on my chest and made my lungs pull hard to catch a breath." Eventually, Manuel gave up the idea that he would ever be "smooth" with girls and decides to join a gang in hopes of being allowed to kiss a girl in the gang. He kisses the girl, but later realizes that he doesn't really need to belong to a gang. In the end, Manuel realized what he has had the entire time, a home. He sits in his house, watching his sisters sleep peacefully on the couch and he knows, for the first time, that his is where he is supposed to be. He is at home. This book made me realize how much I personally, neglect the things and people that I love. I realize now, how much I take for granted. I not too, walk into my house and feel like it is where I belong more than any other place in the world. There, I have a family that I love and that loves me in return. I knew that before I read this book, but Parrot in the Oven made me appreciate my home and the fact that I am loved even more than in the past. I would recommend this book to anyone who occationally takes their life for granted.

This book is from the view of a young teenager known as Manny.This story is about him and the moments he goes through, while dealing with family and friends. These moments help him figure out what is important in his life. In addition, this story also involves Manny's Mexican-American family that tells their ups and downs and how they pull through, despite the financial and social problems that come from living in a complicated family. They try to overcome obstacles in a tough neighborhood in California.
In my opinion,"Parrot in the Oven" was not the type of book I would usually read. However it was interesting and it focused on everday challenges such as teen preganancy, alcohol abuse, racism, gangs, poverty,and dysfunctional families, issues faced by teens everywhere. The author mixed true experiences from him and his sibling lives. Although, some events were not necessarily the truth,the character known as Manny, was very much how the author felt between the ages of fourteen to sixteen years old. Therefore, the reader can only imagine what parts of the story consist of fiction and non-fiction. So,if the topics of teen pregnancy, alcohol abuse, gangs, poverty, and dysfunctional families interest a reader, this is the book for them.

I really enjoyed Parrot in the Oven by Victor Martinez. This book is about a boy named Monolo Hernandez, who lives a difficult life. His father is a drug addict and a drunk. His mother cheats on his father, and his father tried killing her for that. His brothers are mean to him. He thinks the only way of getting over all of this is by joining a gang. The only problem is that Manny doesn't know if that is what he wants to do. He doesn't know if he wants to get into that kind of life. If you want to know what happens to Manny you should read this book. I really enjoyed this book because the author really gets into detail about how gangs really are and how they steal and kill. He goes into detail about all the hardships Manny goes through, you can really feel.