Citation:
Muñoz Ryan, P. (2000) Esperanza rising. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
Summary:
When bandits kill her father as he works the family ranch in central Mexico Esperanza and her mother are forced to flee to California to start a new life. They live in a large company camp where they work long hours harvesting and processing fruits and vegetables. Tensions run high when the depression hits causing waves of hungry people to flood into California looking for work spurring unrest among the workers.
Review:
Gr 6-9-Ryan uses the experiences of her own Mexican grandmother as the basis for this compelling story of immigration and assimilation, not only to a new country but also into a different social class. Esperanza's expectation that her 13th birthday will be celebrated with all the material pleasures and folk elements of her previous years is shattered when her father is murdered by bandits. His powerful stepbrothers then hold her mother as a social and economic hostage, wanting to force her remarriage to one of them, and go so far as to burn down the family home. Esperanza's mother then decides to join the cook and gardener and their son as they move to the United States and work in California's agricultural industry. They embark on a new way of life, away from the uncles, and Esperanza unwillingly enters a world where she is no longer a princess but a worker. Set against the multiethnic, labor-organizing era of the Depression, the story of Esperanza remaking herself is satisfyingly complete, including dire illness and a difficult romance. Except for the evil uncles, all of the characters are rounded, their motives genuine, with class issues honestly portrayed. Easy to booktalk, useful in classroom discussions, and accessible as pleasure reading, this well-written novel belongs in all collections.-Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Review Source:
Goldsmith, F. (Oct 2000). Esperanza rising (Book Review). School Library Journal, 46(10), 171.
Impressions:
The story is a true reflection of the treatment of women in Mexico and the hard times faced by so many during the great depression. This has been one of my favorite books this semester. I love this book!
Suggested Use(s):
Additional Information:
Awards:
Pura Belpre Award
Jane Addams Children's Book Award Winner
Willa Cather Award Winner
Americas Award Honor Book
ALA Top Ten Books for Young Adults
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year 2000
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
Jefferson Cup Award Book Prize Finalist
IRA Notable Book for a Global Society
Smithsonian Institution Notable Book for Children
Southern California Judy Lopez Memorial Award
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
Arizona Young Adult Book Award
Nominee for 16 state young readers awards.
Interest Level: 5-12
Reading Level: 6.2
Lexile Measure: 750
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