Super Short Summary

Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez follows Manuel "Manny" Hernandez, a young boy growing up in California's Central Valley public housing projects. The story explores his struggles with family dysfunction, poverty, and identity. Manny deals with his father's unemployment and erratic behavior, his sister's miscarriage, and the temptations of gang life, finding solace in his family and academic success. Triggering and overtly sensitive topics such as gun violence, family conflict, and miscarriage appear in the book.