Esperanza Rising

I read the book, Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. It takes place in Aguascalientes, Mexico, 1924. This book starts off with six-year-old Esperanza and her Papa lying on the ground, pressing their ears to the earth. Papa said that if you lay still enough, you could feel its heart beating. He was right, Esperanza could her it.  All was well for Esperanza, she had a big house with servants for her every need, beautiful dresses and a family that loved her.  Things did not stay this way though. Six years later, two very large and sad tragedies occurred in a short period of time, which sent Esperanza and her mother to the United States in secrecy in search of work, something Esperanza had never done before. Esperanza found that instead of the fancy clothes she and her mother usually wore, she only had a few pieces of dirty clothing that had once belonged to someone else. Instead of a beautiful house, they shared a cabin without hot water with a family of five. They had each other and Esperanza learned that’s all she needed. In the winter months they put newspapers on the walls to keep the wind and winter cold out. Shortly after a big dust storm, Mama caught Valley Fever and became very sick. She has to be moved into a hospital and Esperanza became worried she will never see her again. She learns to work in the sheds with the older women to help pay for Mama’s medical bills.  Esperanza quickly discovers that Mexicans are discriminated against in the United States. The people they work for would gladly replace the Mexican workers with workers from Oklahoma, and they were willing to work for less money too. If she and the people around her lost their jobs, they wouldn’t have a place to live and no way to pay Mama’s medical bills. Soon a strike breaks out and the immigration program does not hesitate to remove any who are part of it and send them to Mexico, even if they have never been there before.  With so many obstacles to overcome Esperanza clings to the old life she had before leaving Mexico and thinks she is better than most of the people around her. I enjoyed the book, Esperanza Rising very much. It was a very interesting story and I learned a lot about Mexican discrimination. It taught me to be grateful for what I have around me because there are people who have less, but have greater minds like the people who worked in the Mexican labor camp. The mood changed a lot in the story and I enjoyed those ups and downs a lot, and I almost couldn’t put the book down. I would rate this book four stars out of five because I felt it was a little young for me, even though I still enjoyed it. I think it is a perfect book for girls ages nine to thirteen because Esperanza is twelve-years-old and has a young personality. I enjoyed reading Esperanza Rising and I hope people get as much out of it as I did. 

Esperanza is young girl of wealth and privilege in Mexico, but after her father is murdered on their family ranch. Esperanza and her mother flee to California, there they must work on a potato farm during the great depression. Life is hard and Esperanza mother become ill and Esperanza must speak up for the immigrant workers and their work conditions. This book also contains a slight mix of Spanish words and/or phases that are also translated and easy to comprehend. History teacher could collaborate with English/Language Arts teachers when reading this book, because the setting is during the American Great Depression and the Dust Bowl Era.

I remember reading this in 5th grade. It was so good. Recomend it highly. Just as a reminder... is this historical fiction? Please review when read. PLEASE!!!!!!!

This is such an AMAZING book!!!!!!!! SO GET THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW!!! It talks about a 13 year old girl named Esperanza,and how her life was perfect! She had A LOT if servents! ( as u can see she's rich!) She also lived in Mexico, her dad had all the money! But in the 1930's, women can't own houses & land! ( just remmember that) So, something goes wrong!(i am not going to tell what happend) And they have to move to California! Then she becomes a servent! Now u have to read the rest of the book to know what has happend in the book! :) :) :)

Shelby Cyr's Book Review The book Esperanza Rising is by Pam Munoz Ryan. The book is about a girl named Esperanza who is a very wealthy girl who lives in Mexico until her father passes away on their ranch. This leads to her family moving to California where they can only get by working on a potato farm during the great depression. Their lives become very difficult and Esperanza's mother becomes very ill. During this time Esperanza feels the need to speak up for other immigrants who have come to work through the rough working conditions. The theme for this book is determination. I liked this book because it made you feel as if you were making the change that Esperanza was working towards for the immigrants. I like that Esperanza was inspired to change the society, and the conditions immigrants have to deal with. I learned throughout this book that even when times get rough you should still be inspired to make a change and better situations for people all around you. I learned that you need to have determination to make a positive difference. I would recommend this book to girls of all ages because it has a very interesting and inspiring story line that open your eyes to different aspects of life. Esperanza Rising is a very well written book with a good story line.

Such a great book! Couldn't put it down! I would recommend this book for people of all ages.

It is awesome even for the people who hate books will love it

Love this book great for all ages

I loved this book because you just get to know the girl so well. You really put yourself in her shoes. After reading that book, I felt inspired to do more! This book is great for all ages! ( also look up the book " Out of My Mind" while you are at it.) I would guess that almost everyone will LOVE this book! Sincerely, Book-A-Holic13

I usually just read current YA titles, but when it was referred to in another book I read...I had to read it. A lot of my friends read ER during junior high, but I never did and I'm sorry I missed it for so long. This is a great book. I felt like I was reading a part of my history that I didn't even consider or know about. It totally reminded me of stories my relatives share at family gatherings.

Im reading this book in school and its soo good!!!!!!

I love esperanza rising in a way it ikind of sad but things get better and it turns out to be a really good book! It is also exiteing an a little bit scary so if your looking for a book like this i highly recamend it

I remember reading this in fourth grade cried at the end. But didnt want it to end:(

As i was saying it has happynes,tradgety,struggles, and romance. Everything u need for a good book.

I read this for 6th grade and quite honestly it was interesting and had a pinch of sadness. Im not saying it isnt fantastic, it is, but not for kids under maybe 12 or 11. It can turn a non reader into a book worm. At least get the sample.

Sooo good

Its real good highly recommend. I would say a strong hearted determined book

Loved the book then, and still obsessed with it now.

I am 11 and love to read. I read this book in class, and it toched me. I loved this book so much Mockingjay02

I loved it

I read it in ELA and i wish it had gone on FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEST BOOK EVER read it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

great book loved it!

Anyone who doesnt like it is a complete idiot

This book was not that interesting to me. Mainly because i am not a fan of historical fiction and mostly prefer books like The Girl Who Could Fly and Call Me Hope. But, if you do like historical fiction , then you would probably love this story. It has a tiny bit of romance, life lessons, and a fantastic plot, but as i said before, it was mostly borring for me and did not make me want to read on. If you choose to read it i hope you like it more than i did!

Very well detailed i actually felt like i was in the book crying at the sad and happy moments in the book.I was FLABBERGASTED by the way the author described the sympathetic but, understanding story i recomend this to anybody who is looking for a book with juicy details in the book.