Esperanza Rising

Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan
Publication Date: 2000
Type of Book: Multicultural Novel

This novel was about a young girl named Esperanza who lived on a beautiful ranch in Mexico with her mother, father and all of their workers. When tragedy struck and her father ended up dead her life changed dramatically. They were forced to leave their ranch after his evil stepbrothers took it over. Esperanza, her mother and their former workers took the long journey to California where they were able to work and live at a camp. Conditions at the camp were no where near what Esperanza was used to. She had to learn how to work and take care of herself and help others around her instead of always being weighted on. During her time in America, Esperanza had to deal with her mother becoming very ill and trying to save up enough money to bring her grandmother to America to live with them. Through her perseverance Esperanza was eventually able to see the bright future they could have in America, even though she couldn't see it in the beginning.

This was a fantastic story. I enjoyed reading about Esperanza and her story about going from being seen as a queen of her fathers ranch to being a worker who lived in less than desirable conditions in America. Esperanza Rising reminded me a lot of the story I read when I was younger called The Little Princess. I really thought that Esperanza's mother was going to die and that she would never see Abuelita ever again, so I was really happy at the end of the story. I loved how this story combined determination, perseverance, sadness, strength and hope all in one.

I would recommend this story for older children because the book is longer and the material is too mature for younger audiences. Students in older elementary school could use this book during shared reading groups. This story could be used to teach about different ways people live their lives, and about the idea that things always change and the only way to get through is to be strong and keep hope in your heart.

Image References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanza_Rising