“My mother’s crossing.” Includes drawings of her mother in the hospital and her thoughts on October 31, 2007. 10 pages. Purple Quaderno booklet, 2007

This series includes 23 diaries spanning forty years (1967-2007). Arranged chronologically, they provide an insight into Cisneros’ daily activities and thoughts. Many of the diaries include drafts of poems or story ideas, including the 1982 diary from France and Italy with “Martita Te Recuerdo,” and the 1989-1990 diary from San Antonio with notes for “Eyes of Zapata” and “Lorenzo, Center of the Universe.” Many of the early diaries have laid-in items that include letters, notes, postcards, and photographs, including the 1983 diary from Greece and Chicago that includes a small photograph of Margarita Lopez Peres, a student at Latino Youth who served as a model for The House on Mango Street.

Many of the diaries are only partially complete. See also series IV: Notebooks and Journals. Items were considered diaries if the entries were dated and appeared to be chronological; however, many notebooks also include notes on daily activities.