Esperanza Rising

Hello, Readers!

This week’s book is a special one. It is a book that touches on race, class, the American Dream, and immigration, but most of all it is a story about the enduring spirit of hope. Esperanza Rising, by Pam Muñoz Ryan, was published by Scholastic Publishing in 2000. This young adult historical fiction novel won the Pura Belpre’ Award for Writing and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. It was an ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, an LA Times Book Prize Finalist, included in the New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, and was the Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year.

                In lyrical prose, Muñoz Ryan tells the story of Esperanza, the daughter of a wealthy Mexican rancher who is forced to flee to California with her mother when her father is murdered. The once-privileged mother and daughter become migrant workers in the midst of the Great Depression. They endure incredible hardship, yet when Esperanza’s mother becomes sick, the young girl must find a way to rise above their circumstances.

                I love this book because of the brave, indomitable spirit of the women in the story. Esperanza Rising makes a great read-aloud novel study, relating to many ELA standards as well as to social studies standards related to migration, immigration, and the Great Depression.

 

1.       Twice in the novel, Esperanza lies on the ground and listens to “the heartbeat of the earth”. Why is this important to her the first time? How have her feelings changed the second time it happens?

2.       Why doesn’t Esperanza care for Marta when they first meet? What changes her mind?

3.       Why does Esperanza have such a hard time transitioning to life in California?

 

I hope you and your students enjoy Esperanza Rising. 

Until next time, keep reading!