Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising

by Pam Muňoz Ryan

* Published in 2000

* Winner of the Pura Belpre Award, honoring

Latino writers

* Smithsonian Best Books 2000

* 2001 ALA Top Ten Books for Young Adults

Muňoz Ryan, P. (2000). Esperanza rising. New York: Scholastic.

SYNOPSIS:

This book takes place in the 1930’s and is about Esperanza, who is the only daughter of a wealthy land-owing family in Mexico. Esperanza’s family consists of her father, mother, and grandmother. They live on a vineyard in a beautiful home, attended by servants and surrounded by many luxuries. Sadly, Esperanza’s father is killed by bandits, and Esperanza’s crooked uncles burn down Esperanza’s family home and take over the vineyard. Esperanza and her mother are forced to flee to the United States with their servants. However, they are no longer wealthy but have become one of the peasants. Unfortunately, Esperanza’s grandmother was injured in the fire and unable to run away with them. Esperanza's grandmother does, however, promise to join them in California after her injuries heal. Once in California, Esperanza has to endure much change and hardship as her mother and their former servants attempt to survive in farm-labor camps. The conditions are horrific, inhuman. Still the families stick together and persevere. Working and living in these conditions, Esperanza must overcome both her sense of loss and her lack of experience. She must redefine who she is and what she is to become. She must also redefine her relationships and create a new idea of what family is. When her mother becomes deathly ill, it is up to Esperanza to work hard enough to pay the medical bills and to help keep food on the table. She works hard not only to do these things but also to reunite her family. In the end, she manages, with the help of her friend Miguel, to reunite her family and gain the respect of those around her.

This book is a remarkable story of a character who must completely redefine herself. At the beginning of the novel, she is likable but also haughty and somewhat self-absorbed. The loss of her father as well as her family’s social and financial status devastates her. At first, Esperanza refuses to adapt and carries on with her old identity; however, she soon discovers that this identity does not fit her circumstances. She must change. Fortunately, she already possessed a powerful inner strength. She uses this strength to help her negotiate her new surroundings and help her form a new sense of self.

EVALUATION:

This book is an important book for adolescents to read on many levels. Formally, it has well-developed characters and well-developed settings. The novel's plot is entertaining and emotionally charged but not sensationalized. It also depicts a significant time period for Americans and does so in a way that brings historical texture and multicultural issues to life. The book focuses on Mexican traditions and culture; yet, it does contrast Mexican culture with other cultures that were common to labor camps in California during the 1930s. It also tackles gender and class issues, showing how different cultures have different perspectives and beliefs that define and regulate such issues. Finally, the book does a great job of presenting Esperanza's emotional development throughout the course of the story.

CLASSROOM APPLICATION:

This book would work well as read-aloud, in small-group discussions, or as an individual choice book. I think it would also serve well as a bridger book for The Grapes of Wrath.

APPROPRIATE AGE RANGE:

7th - 12th Grade

PERSONAL REACTIONS:

I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed this book. I found it emotionally challenging and emotionally satisfying. I wish I had read this book before reading The Grapes of Wrath when I was in the 10th grade. I think I would have been able to make more of a personal connection to Steinbeck's novel with the help of Esperanza Rising. This is another book I could not put down once I started reading.