Esperanza Rising

, gRyan, P. M. (2007). Esperanza rising. New York: Scholastic Inc.


          Esperanza Rising is a beautifully written book that explores the topics of migrant workers, racism, discrimination, familial relationships, growing up and death. Esperanza is a young girl living on a profitable ranch with her mother, father and grandmother. Also living on their farm are the many servants and workers who help her father run his farm, including her friend Miguel and his parents. The story opens with a prologue introducing Esperanza and her father Senor Ortega and giving readers a glimpse into the depth of the relationship.Sadly, Esperanza's father is murdered by bandits the night before her birthday and her mother is faced with the prospect of marrying her evil brother-in-law to keep their ranch and their wealth. The Ortega's only option is to leave Mexico. They travel with Miguel and his family to California. On the way Esperanza is faced with a series of obstacles in which she must accept that her life and lifestyle is changed. Once they reach California they are forced to work in a migrant camp. Here they are met with challenges such as striking and sickness. When Esperanza's mother is forced into the hospital Esperanza is left to make their way in the United States. How will she help her mother and make a life for them in the United States?
          I was really impressed with this Pura Belpre award winning book. The plot was written in a progressive chronological format with the events being told in the order in which they occurred and with the conflict being presented (they are forced to live poorly and work in a migrant camp), climax (Ramona Ortega, mother, gets sick) and the solution occurring afterwards (you need to read it to find out this part!!). There is a great deal of character development throughout the story, Esperanza grows and learns constantly throughout the story - whether she is realizing that she is no longer like a princess or she is dealing with the struggles of working life.
         This was a really great read and I would love to use it in my classroom. Although I have some readers who may be ready to read this independently I would love to use it whole group. I've mentioned before that I have a difficult time making time in my schedule to teach social studies and science in isolation. This book would be excellent for teaching about different cultures, social issues such as discrimination, as well as history lessons since this story deals with the Mexican Revolution, the Great Depression and migrant camps. What really stuck with my was the author's notes in which Pam Munoz Ryan reveals that this story is actually based on her grandmother's life and she also gives details about the involuntary deportation of Mexican workers during this time - which was a history lesson for me.
         Some questions to ponder are:

• What connections can you make between this story and Cinderella or versions of Cinderella (Esperanza Rising is very much the opposite of this rags-to-riches stories)?
• What connections can you make between this story and your life? Have you ever felt like Esperanza felt during __________? (Given part of story)
• There are a lot of opportunities to infer and predict in this story - What can you predict will happen next? What can you infer Esperanza, Miguel, Marta, Ramona (any character) is feeling? Justify your answer.