Esperanza Rising

Being from Central California and being familiar with the inner workings of farm worker camps, living conditions and general ethnic stereotypes, I found this book simply perfect and amazing. A true and worthwhile read. Having a regular life in your own hometown and country and dreaming of fairy-tale like utopias fails in comparison to the struggle of survival in a new land. We often think of immigration and naturalization in debatable terms but rarely discuss how some people do not choose to immigrate-circumstances happen. The contrast to Mexican-Americans here and abroad was integrated seamlessly with an uplifting, overcoming theme. This book informs and educates readers at a challenging level but also fascinates with its context and show more harsh realities. This book is a welcome addition to my own library and to the classroom. show less

5 stars and a ♥

Pura Belpré Award, 2002

Esperanza Ortega lives on a large ranch in Aguascalientes Mexico – El Rancho de las Rosas (Ranch of the Roses). Barely thirteen, she and her friends are sheltered and pampered, dressed in fine silks, and planning their quinceañera celebrations in two years’ time. But tragedy shatters her dreams. She and her family are forced to form a new dream in 1930’s California.

What I really love about this story is that Esperanza is a realistic 13-year-old. She’s very unhappy about the change. She finds it difficult to adapt to the new realities of her reduced circumstances and is embarrassed that she is so ill-equipped to handle the work she’s expected to perform. She pouts and is rude to show more “those peasants.” Esperanza does finally realize that it is up to her to change her attitude; she must learn to let go of the past and to embrace that she is rich in the love of family and friends.

The author was inspired to write this novel based on the real history of her family. Her grandmother was Esperanza Ortega. I couldn’t help but think of my own father and his travels with his father and brothers to Montana during the Great Depression, where they sheared sheep for 5 cents per sheep. Sometimes this was all the money they had to feed their families for the year. My father was only 13 and his job was to keep the shears sharp. How I wish I had gotten more stories out of him, and out of my grandfather and uncles!

The book also offers a history lesson about how this country has treated immigrants. In March 1929 the Congressed passed the Deportation Act. Their thinking was that forced deportation of Mexicans would solve the unemployment problems caused by the Great Depression. (That plan didn’t work.) Officials organized “sweeps” where anyone “Mexican looking” was rounded up and put on a train or bus back to Mexico, regardless of whether that person was a native-born US citizen or legally in the US on a work visa. At least 450,000 Mexicans and Mexican Americans were sent to Mexico, though some historians think the numbers were closer to million.

The audio book is performed by Trini Alvarado. Her narration is perfect. Her pacing is good, and she is able to alter her voice sufficiently to differentiate the characters.

(Note: Review revised on second reading, 06Nov2024) show less

I liked this book because it introduced readers to Spanish words and Mexican customs while also giving readers a new perspective on illegal immigration. There is generally a lot of discrimination in our country towards illegal immigrants, but hearing a story told from the perspective of a migrant child is very eye opening. When the writer recounts Esperanza’s story of her wealthy father being killed by bandits and her uncle setting fire to her house, the reader realizes that it is not fair to judge someone before you know them because you have no idea what sort of past has led that person to where they are. By including details about how the characters are going through their everyday lives such as the clothes they wear, the food they show more eat, and the language they speak, the author gives life to the characters. Once Esperanza and her family are in America, they face strikes, discrimination, harsh living conditions, and more. Since Ryan has created such lifelike characters, the reader is able to feel for them and recognize the strain that these hardships are putting on the family, even though they are working so hard to overcome them. The book pushes readers to think about the issue of illegal immigration and encourages them to broaden their perspectives. The main idea of the book is that life changing, unfortunate circumstances can happen at any time, so you should never take anything for granted. show less

I absolutely love this book. I read it in middle school and I was so excited that I was going to get to read it again. There is just so many things to love about this story. My favorite thing about the book is how it is rife with symbolism. One of my favorite parts where this symbolism appears is toward the end, when Abuelita is finally able to travel to the United States. Mama is home from the hospital, Miguel brings Abuelita over the border, Esperanza has discovered how strong she is, and Papa's roses have bloomed; the family is finally together again, but different than they were in the beginning. Each one of them has been on a journey, but their family is so strong that they can never truly be apart. I also like how the way the book show more comes full circle. The very first line of the story is "Our land is alive, Esperanza", which is what her father says to her, and the last line of the story is "Don't be afraid to start over." These lines connect to show that everything is alive, and living things will change. This idea also connects to the fact that the names of the chapters are what food is in season at that time. The chapters come full circle as well. The first chapter is los uvas (grapes) and the last chapter is los uvas (grapes). This idea also connects to the first and last lines because the plants will always come back, just as Esperanza's family will always be there for her. Another thing I loved about the book was the main character, Esperanza. Her name means "hope", which is a really big idea in this book. She is so much stronger than she thinks she is, and is willing to make so many sacrifices and work hard for the people she loves. She surprises herself, and I find her journey of self-discovery to be very relateable. This book also lends itself to open discussion for many topics, such as racism, segregation, and growing up, and it addresses these ideas, and others, in tasteful ways, which I can really appreciate. As stated previously, one of the big ideas of this book is having hope and looking to the future, but the reader can take away many things from this story. Overall, I love this book, and I definitely appreciate it more now that I am older. show less

I'm convinced you could teach your entire literacy year using this book from Pam Munoz Ryan. This moving story is a riches to rags story and gives a nuanced, poignant, thought provoking depiction of a girl forced to leave her home in Mexico following the Mexican Revolution. The story is perfect to pair with an immigration unit in social studies so students understand reasons why people might immigrate to another country and circumstances surrounding that. This book is best for grades 3+. The figurative language in this book and the rose themes throughout are a masterclass in literary devices. I laughed, cried, felt anger, sadness, empathy, and pride while reading this. There is a reason this book is so popular and it feels like required show more reading now more than ever. show less

I know I read Esperanza Rising when I was in middle school, but that was so long ago that when I picked this up a week ago, I remembered absolutely nothing about it. Not even a vague recollection of the story. Sometimes, a fleeting memory is a good thing, because it means you get to experience a book for the first time, again. So it was with this one.

This is such an impressive book. Pam Muñoz Ryan hits just the right notes to have a conversation about racism, sexism, xenophobia… without making the book inaccessible to younger readers. There’s little wonder why Esperanza Rising is taught in so many schools. It’s a well-written book, but it also broadens students’ minds. Books like this… books like this are why we need more Own show more Voices authors. A white author could not accurately recreate the immigration process and the struggle of living in migrant work camps. Muñoz Ryan is half Mexican, and it’s clear her Latinx heritage informs the storytelling.

But Esperanza Rising is more than just an issue story – though the realities of daily life do define the journey. Esperanza is coming into her own as well. After suffering from a deep personal tragedy early in the book, Esperanza and her mother flee to California. Here, they have to come to terms with their new socio-economic situation and trying to be accepted both in the community and in the country. Esperanza struggles to keep hope throughout the book… and like the very best of young reader stories, she has to find the strength from within.

The cast of characters surrounding our protagonist are also fantastic. We have the kind wisdom of Abulita. The passion and determination of the protestors to make sure they are treated well and given a fair wage for their work. Miguel is kind and steady. Isabelle is sweet and caring. They’re all wonderful and I enjoyed every one of them.

If I were to list just one fault with Esperanza Rising, I would say: it’s too short. I think the story is well told in the pages we have, but I do think the story could have been fleshed out even more. There are opportunities here for multiple POVs as well. That said, back in 2000 when this was first published, we had childrens books and adult books and no clearly defined in-between. In that way, Esperanza Rising falls into the “childrens” category. I’d say it is accessible and enjoyable for everyone, but given the intended audience, the simplicity of some things makes sense.

Despite all that, the world is well fleshed out, the characters come to life, and the story keeps the reader engrossed. I’d recommend this book all around. show less

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan is an award-winning YA work of historical fiction that chronicles the life a Mexican farmworker in the 1930s. In the book's beginning, Esperanza's wealthy father is killed by bandits in Mexico; then, a scheming uncle sets fire to her family’s ranch in order to pressure her mother into marriage. Esperanza & her mother escape to the United States with only their lives and life changes drastically for them. Former servants help them to find work as farm laborers and Esperanza finds out what life is like when one is no longer a member of the privileged class. Both the conditions of 1930’s farm workers and the status of Mexicans who came to America for a better life with more choices are examined in show more this story.

This is a beautifully written book that educates while it tells an engaging story. Capturing an era of California history, readers will sympathize with Esperanza, who must learn to work hard after living a life of luxury -- but more than that, they will be amazed by the strength she shows as she adjusts to the difficult life of a farmworker.

Esperanza Rising celebrates the Latino cultural experience in a realistic way and the author does not shirk away from exposing both the ethnic tensions that existed along with the plight of the Mexican-American workers during the Great Depression which included forced deportation, horrific living conditions and competition from the incoming “Okies. The author knows what she is writing about as she based this story on her own grandmother’s experience when she came from Mexico which gives the book a very authentic feel. show less