Esperanza Rising



Esperanza Rising
By: Pam Munoz Ryan
Genre: Historical Fiction
Ages:

 This story takes place during the American Great Depression. Esperanza is 12 years old and lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Her father is a ranch owner and a farmer. Her family is very wealthy and known. The night before her birthday everyone worries because her father and his friend do not return home. Then her father's two stepbrothers arrive and bring them the news of her fathers death. He was killed by bandits. Her fathers death causes her and her mother to loose the land to the bank because women are not allowed to own land. Her fathers stepbrother offers to marry her mother but her mother refuses. A few days later the house burns to the ground and they are left with nothing. The stepbrother says more harm will come if her mother does not marry him. Her mother says she will consider but decides to flee for America. Esperanza and her mother have to leave her abuelita behind because she is too old to travel. When they arrive in America it is a huge change for them and they are forced to work for nearly nothing. Their whole lives changed within days. Esperanza's mother becomes very ill because of the dust storms and Esperanza is left alone while her mother is hospitalized. Esperanza has to work hard to make enough money to send for Abuela and pay her mother's medical bills. This is very hard to do because Mexican workers were paid nearly nothing at all. Esperanza's friend, Miguel steals all of her money and she is very upset. It turns out he stole it to run away in order to return back to Mexico to bring abuela to America. Her mother gets better and her abuela is with her. She is finally content. In the end, Esperanza learns it is ok to live without being rich and to not be afraid of starting over.


Theme:
Money is not everything. As long as you have family and are healthy you can be happy.


About the author:
Pam Munoz Ryan has written over 30 books for young readers. Her work has ranged from picture books to young adult novels. She graduate from San Diego University and current lives in Northern San Diego with her family. She received the Pura Belpre Medal for Esperanza Rising.


Pre-reading activities:
KWL chart of lives of Mexican workers during the American Revolution.


Post-reading activities:
Students will write about a time they were afraid of change. Was the change positive or negative? Did the change leave a lasting impression on their life?

Source used:
http://www.pammunozryan.com/