Books
"In The Time Of The Butterflies" Is A Must-Read In 2017, According To Sonia Manzano
In the months since Donald Trump has become president, more and more people have become inspired to join the Resistance — whether that means volunteering, campaigning, donating, making calls, educating themselves and others on the issues, or otherwise. Bustle's 31 Days of Reading Resistance takes a look at the role of literature and writing in the Resistance, both as a source of inspiration and as a tool for action.
You might not know Sonia Manzano by name, but it's likely she has been a part of your life since you were a kid. Because Manzano has been a pop culture figure for parents and their kids since the 1970s, when she first hit the small screen as Maria on Sesame Street. The legendary actress went on to win 15 Emmy awards for her role as a writer on the show. In addition Manzano had parts in the original production of Godspell, Vagina Monologues, The Exonerated, and Love Loss and What I Wore. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 2016.
She has since become a successful author with her picture books No Dogs Allowed, A Box Full Of Kittens and Miracle on 133rd Street, the middle grade novel The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano, and her memoir Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx.
So what's on Manzano's resistance reading TBR? The five choices below illustrate her sense of humor, and her proclivity for stories about bad ass women and the intricacies of family.
Manzano says: "A little girl resists categorizing her drunk of a father as a failure because he's willing to cheat to get her a better education."
Manzano says: "Unbelievable bravery as three sisters resist a terrifying dictator even as they anticipate their own doom."
Manzano says: "Story of a girl resisting societies expectations. I was blown away by the girl’s determination to go on a path many would consider dangerous, in order to get her way."
Manzano says: "The story of Mr. Alexie's tough as nails mother who resists pre-ordained tribal dysfunction to create some semblance of family life."
Manzano says: "Fast female friends resist a man coming between them, even as one friend cheats with the others husband."
Follow along all month long for more Reading Resistance book recommendations.
