Esperanza Rising

BOOK NAME: Esperanza Rising
AUTHOR: Pam Munoz Ryan

I was a little skeptical about this book when they gave it to me to read in school, but once I opened it, I couldn’t put it down. This is a very inspiring and unique book set in the 1930s about a girl named Esperanza. She initially lives in Mexico and through a series of tragic events, goes from riches to rags. This includes her beloved father being killed by bandits hired by Esperanza’s evil uncle, and a terrifying house fire that she almost takes her life. The family is left with a terrible decision to either give into the uncle’s wretched demands or to leave the land they know and love.

Esperanza goes on the road with her mother to America to escape her uncle. Though devastating, this experience helps her appreciate what she still has–family and love. This appreciation is strengthened when she finds herself actually having to work not only for herself, but also for her now ill mother. She settles into a work camp located miles away from the land she knew all her life as home, and soon learns all too well what hard work is really like.

This is a wonderful book that I recommend for kids in middle school. Spanish words, Mexican culture, and traditions are woven in throughout the story, making it even more fun to root for Esperanza. Esperanza means “hope” in Spanish, so the title literally means Hope Rising. The author actually modeled this story around her grandmother’s life, and I enjoyed being able to share in her adventure.

Comments

fifilola
September 19, 2012, 10:46 pm

i had the exact thoughts when i read this book too,sheila!! and it has be come my ultamate favorite book!!!i hope lots of other people read this book and love it too!!!
angels1029
September 20, 2012, 2:05 am

I just love hisory fiction books, they are sooo interesting!
Im going to request it striaght after.
Thank you Sheila
booyah
September 21, 2012, 8:25 pm

i think that Esperanza Rising was an AWESOME book! it was so fun to imagine what was going to happen next! (i was never right!)
girlsrok4
September 22, 2012, 8:58 am

If you like historic fiction read A Great and Terrible Beauty, it’s REALLY good
Shadow dancer10
September 28, 2012, 6:52 pm

I love that book and Sheila is dead on for the summaryand now it makes me want to read it again!
smileyfeet102
October 1, 2012, 1:20 am

I’ve read this book a few years ago for class.I remembered I picked it just because it had Spanish in the title and I like reading Spanish.But I soon realized that I loved the book for its story twists and turns and a girl who’s never experienced work realizing how much she loves more than just things and items.But also her family and friends.
doglover1111
October 2, 2012, 8:40 pm

this sounds like a great book !! i want to read it !!!!
shouppa
November 5, 2012, 6:29 pm

Our had class had to read this book, and it was terrible having to wait until the next afternoon to read the next chapter (we were only allowed 1 chapter per night). Loved it!
shouppa
November 5, 2012, 6:29 pm

Our had class had to read this book, and it was terrible having to wait until the next afternoon to read the next chapter (we were only allowed 1 chapter per night). Loved it!