Book Review: Esperanza Rising

Book info

Esperanza thought she'd always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico--she'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. 

But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. 

Esperanza isn't ready for the hard labor, financial struggles, or lack of acceptance she now faces. 

When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances--Mama's life, and her own, depend on it

My Thoughts About This Book:

This a great kids book that deals with the hot topic of racism fascinatingly. This a great book to teach with. You could talk about how racism is wrong and how it has affected people. Or you could use it as a discussion about how illegal immigrants can be detrimental as well as helpful to the country. This book has a broad range of elements that teachers and parents can use to teach critical lessons. 

This is such an inspiring story of struggle, hope, and hardship. This book gave me such a good perspective as an adult. This is a fantastic book of fiction for anyone. This book is a book that is based on a real-life woman, the grandmother of the author Pam Muñoz Ryan. 

The book follows little Esperanza, who is the daughter of a wealthy landowner. Her mother is being forced to leave Mexico, and start life over in California. Working on a farm, after the death of the father. Their life savings are gone, being forced to change their entire lifestyle. In a country that doesn't accept them. 

Set in the 1930's, this book is set in the Great Depression. This book tells the tale of the struggles these people faced. It is packed full of child-appropriate history and social issues. While it dives deep into powerful topics that invoke so much emotion, it does accurately describe them in a way a child will understand. It reads quickly. 

Another interesting part of this book is it would be great to introduce a child to a foreign language.  The book is filled with Spanish words and phrases. It is also an excellent introduction into culture and traditions as well. 

Filled with topics of economics, labor, race, rights, family, prejudice, work, pride, kindness, and a search for a purpose this book will enrich your child's bookshelves. It will spark deep, meaningful conversations. 

About The Author:

Pam Muñoz Ryan is the author of the New York Times Best Seller, ECHO, a 2016 Newbery Honor Book, and winner of the Kirkus Prize. She has written over forty books for young people—picture books, early readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. 

She the author recipient of the NEA's Human and Civil Rights Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, the Willa Cather Award, the Pura Belpré Medal, the PEN USA award, and many others.

 Her novels include Esperanza Rising, Riding Freedom, Becoming Naomi León, Paint the Wind, The Dreamer, and Echo. She was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, holds a bachelor's and master's degree from San Diego State University and lives in north San Diego County with her family.