Winner of the 1996 national book award for young peoples fiction. Parrot in the oven mi Vida is less a sweeping traditional noveland more a series of short character sketches . the poetic style, though beautiful and intriguing leaves the reader feeling confused and disjointed . the last word " thses inclusions, however give the book a realness and rawness that engage the reader and help establish the vast frustration facing the entire family rise to something just beyond their reach