Parrot in the Oven: Mi vida

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It's no wonder that Parrot in the Oven won the 1996 National Book Award for Young People's Fiction. Victor Martinez's lush, evocative prose leaps from the page, grabbing the reader by the throat right from the start. Not only do we witness Manuel Hernandez's coming of age, we feel every juicy moment of it: his ache for something just out of reach, the confusion of seeing his family with new eyes, the tickle and flood of awakening passion. It's difficult to portray transformation from the inside, but Martinez does so with grace and power.

Book Description

Dad believed people were like money. You could be a thousand-dollar person or a hundred-dollar person -- even a ten-, five-, or one-dollar person. Below that, everybody was just nickels and dimes. To my dad, we were pennies.

Fourteen-year-old Manny Hernandez wants to be more than just a penny. He wants to be a vato firme, the kind of guy people respect. But that's not easy when your father is abusive, your brother can't hold a job, and your mother scrubs the house as if she can wash her troubles away.

In Manny's neighborhood, the way to get respect is to be in a gang. But Manny's not sure that joining a gang is the solution. Because, after all, it's his life -- and he wants to be the one to decide what happens to it.

Customer Reviews:

Parrot in the Oven Kids Review.......2007-05-11

We think that this book is good for kids who are age 10 and up. Our favorite part of the book is when Victor has family problems with his mom and dad. This is one of the most important parts of the book that many students can relate to. The book is about a boy named Victor with family problems, and the reader learns about his entire life. The people who would like this book are people who enjoy real life stories, such as an autobiography.

nothing spectacular in Parrot..........2007-05-03

I'm sorry but I really do not see what was special in Martinez' *Parrot in the Oven* that reaped him some awards. I did not see anything special about the story. However, I do agree that Martinez does have a way with words. They were eye-catching and made you wonder.

*Parrot in the Oven* is divided into chapters that each one focuses on one particular topic. While there is a subtle storyline throughout, the overall picture is blurred. There's that "missing link" that prevents you from knowing each characters in the book. Simply, there's no depth other than with Manny.

The book is told from Manny's perspectives. His dad has lost his job. He simply goes to the local pool hall and spends whatever money he can find and gets drunk. The mother is constantly cleaning the house. His older brother is never home and constantly has a new job. His older sister is secretive. His baby sister is simply a brat.

Manny tells his experiences with school, White people, boxing, and the gang. Most of all, he tells how these experiences impact his family and their world-view.

*Parrot in the Oven* is an alright book. It's nothing that you'd go around and recommend this book to friends. Just simply ok. The only best thing is Martinez' ways with words.

Lacking Plot.......2007-02-15

Manuel is fourteen years old and living close to the Mexican border. He is Mexican-American himself. His life is full of conflicts, from his father who is alcoholic and abusive and can't seem to keep a job, to his passive mother who lets herself be scared and abused, to his three siblings.

This books is about Manuel's struggle to find himself and to figure out his life. It takes the reader on a journey through about a year in Manuel's life, and we get to see the things he interacts with daily, from his family situation to the bullies who live on his street, to the other people who surround him. Even though he sometimes has problems, like when he is invited to a party full of all white kids and things start to go bad, Manuel always manages to keep his head on his shoulders and get through things okay. Even though his family is dysfunctional, the reader is able to see some good in them.

The language in this book is beautiful; the author has a gift for stringing together very poetic sentences. However, there wasn't any sort of cohesive storyline. I kept trying to wrestle the individual parts of the story into a plot, and was frustrated when they remained disjointed until the end.

NON-FICTION.......2007-02-06

Something that many readers do not realize is that Parrot in the Oven is complete non-fiction. Understanding this, hopefully many will now see that Martinez is not free to create the most climactic and action-packed plot possible. Still, Parrot in the Oven is a wonderfully juxtaposed story of a boy's journey through the early stages of adolescence, detailing his struggle through prevalent racist mentalities and social boundaries. Beautiful, even more so if you understand that it's non-fiction.

Parrot In The Oven.......2006-11-03

Manny is a 14-year-old kid who wants to be more than just a penny he wants to be a vato firme. Parrot in the Oven is by Victor Martinez. This book is about a dad that is abusive, his brother can't hold a job, and mom acts like she can scrub all her problems away. I like this book because it is interesting. This book is interesting because dad tries to kill mom with his rifle, dad went to jail, Manny helps his brother on the job, Magda is having a baby and Manny is going to a party that he doesn't fill right going to. It has, causes and effects like dad tries to kill mom, dad goes to jail. I won't to read this book again and again. The author properly wrote even better books then Parrot in the Oven. Yes, I would recommend this book to others. Like my mother because she likes the books we read as a class and she knows the Spanish lines because she speaks Spanish.

Mi Vida Loca: The Crazy Life of Johnny Tapia

Average customer rating:

Pitty party
Good, But Badly Written
Woeful stuff
I remember him as a kid.
Never count yourself out!

Mi Vida Loca: The Crazy Life of Johnny Tapia
Johnny Tapia
Manufacturer: Volt Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1566252717

Book Description

There is only one winner in boxing. Fighting against your opponent and fighting against your own inner demons become one in the same. Those who survive both in and out of the ring are beloved worldwide. Those who do not spiral downward into drugs, prison, and even murder. ...[My] life's been pretty tragic, remarks Johnny. But in the ring, it's been a blessing. Mi Vida Loca is not just a nickname for Johnny, but a legendary tale of a life lived over the edge and back.

Customer Reviews:

Pitty party .......2007-05-08

The title of this book should be "Feel Sorry For Me, No wait! I Mean Don't Feel Sorry for Me". He truly can't make up his mind. The stories have a true ring to them but the emblishment is so far fetched that I found myself throwing the BS flag over and over. Still,it makes for a quick read and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. I am a female boxing fan from New Mexico and I used to live in Albuquerque so the details were fun. The "lingo" seemed authentic and if you have ever watched an interview with Tapia you will agree this book was written the same way he speaks.

Good, But Badly Written.......2007-04-23

As much as Johnny Tapia has led a crazy life, the grammar in this book is appalling. This book was obviously written firstly in Spanish & then translated over into English. It has been translated over very badly & reads in Pigeon English most of the way through. For what can be read, yes of course this book is good because Johnny Tapia has thrown caution to the wind in his approach to life ever since the terrible experience he went through at such an early age. I cannot help but wish him well though. To update you, he did have an overdose (approx. Feb / Mar 2006) which I understand now, 23rd April, he is hanging in there, Bless Him.

Woeful stuff.......2007-04-14

I understand that Tapia had a hard upbringing but I kept getting the feeling that it was exaggerated throughout the book as a way to justify the drug addictions.

I bought the book as a boxing fan but there is very little boxing in the book. Mostly a runthrough on the boxers childhood and adolescence.

I thought the book was a disappointment.

I remember him as a kid........2006-11-04

I remember Johnny Tapia as a kid. I was quite a bit older than him but I remember him just as he describes himself, a high energy kid running around all the time, driving everyone a little crazy. I don't think I have any memories of him standing still. He was a fun kid. He was well liked, but even as a little guy, the bigger kids had a lot of respect for him. No one messed with him. I remember seeing him get into a fist fight in the parking lot at Wells Park. The kid he was fighting was twice his size. He pummeled that poor kid within a few seconds. I couldn't believe it. When I saw him in the news years later for his boxing accomplishments I remembered that fist fight in the parking lot. I wasn't surprised that he was a champ. When I read about his problems, I remembered what our lives were like growing up and wasn't surprised either. When I read about what he'd overcome, again - not surprised. I remembered that little kid running around and how he had such a good heart even back then. I knew he'd be ok. Reading his book, I have to say I admire him for how honest he was about his life. I couldn't put his book down. It's written like he was sitting in front of you telling you his life story, and what a story it is. This story made me appreciate my life growing up and all the time I spent hanging out every summer at Well's Park. I'm waiting for him to come out with some book signings here in Albuquerque. I promise I'll be standing in line.

Never count yourself out!.......2006-08-26

This book is great, but sad. For anyone to lose their morther at such a young age is devastataing. Johnny wanted to give up at times, but his wife never counted him out. A compassionate book with the attitude that says "always get back on your feet, no matter what."

Yo Soy la Hija de Mi Padre: Una Vida Sin Secretos

Average customer rating:

Reasonably interesting
Interesante libro autobiografico
Excellent autobiographical sketch of the immigrant experience.

Yo Soy la Hija de Mi Padre: Una Vida Sin Secretos
Maria Elena Salinas , and Liz Balmaseda
Manufacturer: Rayo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060821000
Release Date: 2006-04-11

Book Description

La galardonada periodista y presentadora de noticias María Elena Salinas cuenta la fascinante historia de su vida, su trabajo, su familia y los secretos que en últimas constituyen nuestras vidas

Cinco noches por semana, María Elena Salinas presenta las noticias a millones de televidentes hispanos en todo el país. Pero cuando se apagan las cámaras es, como tantas otras mujeres, una esposa y una madre que lucha por encontrar un equilibrio entre su vida personal y su vida profesional. Un día descubrió que su adorado padre había sido sacerdote católico, y su vida dio un vuelco: todo lo que creía saber, y en lo que había basado su vida, había sido puesto en duda.

En Yo Soy la Hija de Mi Padre, María Elena Salinas cuenta la increíble historia de su exitosa carrera y la de su lucha por descubrir y aceptar los secretos que envolvían su vida familiar. Desde su infancia en un barrio pobre de Los Ángeles, a sus años de adolescencia pasados trabajando en una fábrica de ropa en el sur de California, a su extraordinario debut en el mundo de la televisión y su cobertura de algunos de los sucesos y desastres más significativos de las últimas décadas, María Elena cuenta su propia historia y la de su padre en el tono cálido y directo que la caracteriza.

Customer Reviews:

Reasonably interesting .......2007-05-21

Story of a woman's pursuit of her father's previous life before marriage to her mother, and consequent discovery of his secrets and his whole side of her family.

Interesante libro autobiografico.......2007-01-10

Atrapa tu atencion y te lleva sin esfuerzo a traves de una historia que no queres que termine por diferente y culturalmente interesante; con situaciones que a veces te podes identificar. A pesar de algunos errores de redaccion, fue un placer leerlo en espanol.

Excellent autobiographical sketch of the immigrant experience........2006-04-21

This book is her own autobiographical sketch from the viewpoint of a daughter of an immigrant, journalist and social commentator; she puts together her whole as a person and brings the reader down to the conclusion that as an individual we are what are parents shaped us to be. As a reporter she documents and researches her family roots that she thought she knew until her fathers best friend gives her fathers box of secrets, then and there she realizes that she really didn't know who her father really was. From that point on she goes through a chilling journey of discovering her own roots and eventhough she doesn't find all the correct answers , every step of the way she discovers more about herself and how important family values are for the individual. This is my own conclusion from her readings, we are who we are do to our predessesors.

LA Novela De Mi Vida/the Story of My Life (Coleccion Andanzas, 470)

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LA Novela De Mi Vida/the Story of My Life (Coleccion Andanzas, 470)
Leonardo Padura
Manufacturer: TusQuets
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 8483101998

Average customer rating:

Growing up Hispanic in California of the 1960's

El loro en el horno, mi vida
Victor Martinez , and Amalia Bermejo
Manufacturer: Lectorum Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 8427932383

Customer Reviews:

Growing up Hispanic in California of the 1960's.......2000-11-20

This is a semi-autobigraphical story of a poverty-ridden, dysfunctional family that many urban, American-born Hispanic students aged 12-18 years old may well identify with. I taught it to grades 6-8, and students were mesmerized by the poetic language (Mr.Martinez is a published poet), realistic episodes, true-to-life characters, and Jerry Springer-like trauma-drama.These characters may appear trailer-trash types, but the main character Manny, overcomes his emotional restraints bythe end of the novel. He's a strong, young, Hispanic male character, and we need more of these. The similies and metaphors alonemake this book worth reading.

Mi vuelta a la vida (It¿s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life)

Average customer rating:

Buen Libro...
Essential Reading for Cancer Patients as Well as Athletes

Mi vuelta a la vida (It¿s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life)
Lance Armstrong
Manufacturer: Punto de Lectura
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 8466311521

Book Description

The #1 New York Times bestseller from the cancer survivor who became a four-time Tour de France champ. "In 1996, young cycling phenom Armstrong discovered he had testicular cancer. In 1999, he won the Tour de France. Now he's a new father and a memoirist: with pluck, humility and verve, this volume covers his early life, his rise through the endurance sport world and his medical difficulties. The book features a disarming and spotless prose style, one far above par for sports memoirs." -Publishers Weekly

Description in Spanish: Ésta es la historia de un viaje de la tragedia a la transformación. Se trata del relato del Lance Armstrong, su infancia, sus primeros logros, el terror que sufrió al tener que enfrentarse a un cáncer de testículo que amenazaba con matarle, su recuperación, la victoria contra la enfermedad y, finalmente, cómo ganó el Tour de Francia de 1999 e hizo realidad su sueño de ser padre.

Customer Reviews:

Buen Libro..........2006-02-26

Me parece un buen libro motivacional, lo recomiendo pues nos ensena a que siendo perseverantes podemos alcanzar nuestras metas y superar cualquier obstaculo de la vida....

Essential Reading for Cancer Patients as Well as Athletes.......2004-09-24

This is one of the most inspirational biographies I have ever read, and comes from the truly remarkable life experiences of a determined young man. I loved every word!

Early in the book, Lance Armstrong says ". . . that cancer was the best thing that happened to me." He goes on to say, "When I was sick I saw more beauty and triumph and truth in a single day than I ever saw in a bike race."

Overcoming cancer and becoming an athletic champion in the grueling sport of bicycle racing require a toughness of spirit, mind, and body that is hard for most of us to imagine. This inspirational book portrays beautifully how one can start with the right spirit and overcome enormous obstacles.

Although his doctors told him he had a 40 percent chance of surviving stage three testical cancer, this was mostly to keep his morale up. After he had recovered, his doctor admitted that is chances were around 3 percent, instead.

While he was being treated for the cancer, no one thought that he might ever race again. He did decide to go through treatments that would leave open the possibility that his lungs (affected by the cancer) would still be functional and his coordination (through delicate brain surgery) would be unaffected. Within two years, he had won the Tour de France, a grueling race he had never done well in before he had cancer.

Growing up, Lance Armstrong had little reason to suspect that he would become one of the world's greatest athletes. He was well into high school, still trying pretty unsuccessfully to make the football and swimming teams, before it became clear that he could become a significant cyclist. Pleased with the money that success brought, he had a tough time building the attitude of a champion to go with his remarkable endurance skills. Overcoming cancer helped him with that, as well as seeing the beauty around him.

He met his wife at the press conference to announce the beginning of his foundation to fight cancer. They were married during his recovery, and recently became parents through the miracles of modern medicine.

Of such wonderful stuff are role models made, something we have too few of these days.

The story is told in a very open and matter-of-fact way. He is not trying to make himself into something that he isn't. Clearly, his purpose in writing this book is to help all of us fulfill our potential rather than to glorify himself.

Please share this book with people who need this inspiration.

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Mi vida junto a Pablo Neruda
Matilde Urrutia
Manufacturer: Seix Barral
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Mi Vida Con El Lama
Lobsang Rampa
Manufacturer: Troquel Editorial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Mi vida en rose / Me Talk Pretty One Day (Debolsillo 21)

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Mi vida en rose / Me Talk Pretty One Day (Debolsillo 21)
David Sedaris
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Historia De Mi Vida (Coleccion Cuba Y Sus Jueces)

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Historia De Mi Vida (Coleccion Cuba Y Sus Jueces)
Agustin Castellanos
Manufacturer: Ediciones Universal
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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