Approximately how old is the narrator at the beginning of the novel?

At the beginning of "The House on Mango Street," the narrator, Esperanza Cordero, is around 12 years old, which classifies her as a pre-teen. This age is significant as it represents a transitional period where she begins to navigate her identity, family dynamics, and the complexities of her environment in a neighborhood that influences her perspective on life. The choice of "pre-teen" reflects her youthful viewpoint, innocence, and the burgeoning awareness of the societal issues around her. This age serves as a backdrop for many of the themes in the novel, such as growing up, cultural identity, and the search for belonging.