Parrot in the Oven: mi vida

By Victor Martinez and Steve Scott

Perico, or parrot, was what Dad called me sometimes. It was from a Mexican saying about a parrot that complains how hot it is in the shade, while all along he's sitting inside an oven and doesn't know it....

For Manuel Hernandez, the year leading up to his test of courage, his initiation into a gang, is a time filled with the pain and tension, awkwardness and excitement of growing up in a crazy world. His dad spends most of his time and money at the local pool hall; his brother flips through jobs like a thumb through a deck of cards; and his mom never stops cleaning the house, as though one day the rooms will be so spotless they'll disappear into a sparkle, and she'll be free.

Manny's dad is always saying that people are like money--there are million- and thousand- and hundred-dollar people out there, and to him, Manny is just a penny. But Manny wants to be more than a penny, smarter than the parrot in the oven. He wants to find out what it means to be a vato firme, a guy to respect.

In this beautifully written novel, Victor Martinez gives readers a vivid portrait of one Mexican-American boy's life. Manny's story is like a full-color home movie--sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always intensely original.For Manuel Hernandez, the year leading up to his test of courage, his initiation into a gang, is a time filled with the pain and tension, awkwardness and excitement of growing up in a mixed-up, crazy world. Manny’s dad is always calling him el perico, or parrot. It’s from a Mexican saying about a parrot that complains how hot it is in the shade while all along he’s sitting inside the oven and doesn’t know it. But Manny wants to be smarter than the parrot in the oven—he wants to find out what it means to be a vato firme, a guy to respect. From an exciting new voice in Chicano literature, this is a beautifully written, vivid portrait of one Mexican-American boy’s life.

1998 Pura Belpre Author Award
1996 Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature
1997 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
1996 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperTeen
• Release date: Jun 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9780062290571

Victor Martinez

Victor Martinez was born and raised in Fresno, California, the fourth in a family of twelve children. He attended California State University at Fresno and Stanford University, and has worked as a field laborer, welder, truck driver, firefighter, teacher, and office clerk. His poems, short stories, and essays have appeared in journals and anthologies. Mr. Martinez was awarded the 1996 National Book Award for Young People's Literature for Parrot in the Oven, his first novel. He now makes his home in San Francisco, California.

Reviews for Parrot in the Oven

[mjspear_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Authentic first-hand account of growing up Mexican American in California. His father drinks too much, his mother works too hard, and his brother is handsome in a way that Manual ("Manny") never will be. Still, there are glimpses of salvation... a teacher gives Manny money to buy shoes (which his father immediately confiscates and puts toward liquor), his mother tries (and fails) to get him into the better "white" school across town and the drug store owner who sees Manny's potential --even when he can't. In the course of the novel, Manny flirts with joining a gang, attends a socially-disastrous house party, picks crops under the sun, and helps his mother around the house. The writing is uneven and the pacing is slow; poor readers may find it hard to stay engaged... still, a refreshing sensation-free look at coming of age. Nothing objectionable.

[kslade-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

OK novel about Mexican American teen.

[meggyweg · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Forgive me for playing the race card, but I can't help but wonder whether Victor Martinez's race, and the race of his characters, helped this book win the National Book Award. Surely there were more worthy candidates than this. I admit it had some interesting bits and some beautifully rendered phrases, but Parrot in the Oven lacks what is essential to novel: a plot. There was no driving force in the story, no climax. Just a series of loosely connected short scenes that never went anywhere. Some people like that. I'm not one of them.

[kerendon_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Parrot in the oven: mi Vida by victor Martinez is one of the best books i have ever read. Martinez's novel focuses on the familial and social hardships of barrios for Mexican-Americans in California. He talks about the problems of alcoholism, spousal abuse, teenage pregnancy, racial discrimination, and gang violence through young Manuel Hernandez as he survives the difficulties and tries to make a better life of himself than everybody else in the barrio. Martinez narrates his story through a series of events in Manny's life and the people involved with him at home, the projects, school, work, and his Caucasian boss's home. The novel's conflict is Manny's decision to join a gang. As a teenager is really hard for him to survive.This is a story about fourteen year old Manny Hernandez living in Fresno California with his poor family. Manny has to deal with many a father, without a job a mother who does nothing, a brother who can't keep a job very long and a sister who lost a baby, also his grandmother had recently passed away. Manny gets into big problems such as becoming involved in a gang. Also he does not have a lot of friends at school.His family is Mexican-American his father is a drunk and his mom pretends that they live a perfect life. Manny looks up to his brother Bernard however he doesn’t think he will go far in life. Manny goes to school and has few friends. He usually only hangs around with Albert who is his close friend. He gets small jobs to earn a few dollars. At one point he becomes initiated into a gang. From his experiences with the gang he learns a lesson that he will not forget. I think this is a very good book and i recommended to everybody, not only Mexicans. Many other minorities face the same struggles and this book is very book. It shows that even if you have a very difficult life you shouldn't give up. Also that by the mistakes you make in life you will learn and become a better person.