One Book, One Chicago Chooses House on Mango Street

n Wednesday, Mayor Daley announced that One Book, One Chicago, a program run by the Chicago Public Library that “is launched each spring and fall to cultivate a culture of reading and discussion in Chicago by bringing our diverse city together around one great book,” selected Sandra Cisneros’ book House on Mango Street. Cisneros is planning to return to Chicago to give a talk on the book on April 14th at 6:00pm at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street.

Her talk might prove interesting, as it doesn’t seem like she’s too happy to be considered a Chicago author. She is a current resident of San Antonio, and insists, “If I’m an artist, it’s despite Chicago, not because of it.” She continues, “Chicago has never been a nurturing place for Latinos. The neighborhoods I lived in here were bad, and they’ve only gotten worse. The only gains we’ve made have been the things the community has pushed for, such as the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum.” The Sun Times has a full article with more statements from her here.

I’m curious to know what the Latino community in Chicago has to say about both her current statements, and the fact that her book was chosen for One Book, One Chicago.