Genre:
Historical Fiction
Interest Level:
Ages 11 and up
Reading Level:
Lexile 750, Grade 4 and up
Book Theme:
Moving to a new culture, family survival, migrant life
Books with Similar Themes:
Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata, Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse
Bibliographic Information:
Ryan, P. M. (2000). Esperanza rising. New York: Scholastic Press.
Plot:
Young Esperanza Ortega lives a privileged life in Mexico with her mother and father. When her father is killed, her uncle the mayor tells her mother she must marry him. If she refuses him can make terrible things happen to the family. Esperanza and her mother decide to flee to the United States to work in Southern California. Life is very different there. The living conditions are cramped and the adults must work all day. Esperanza, who never even learned how to sweep the floor, must start pitching in as well and helping to take care of the smaller children and do chores. But after a sand storm her mother becomes gravely ill and it is feared that she will die. Esperanza is terrified that she will lose her mother too and become an orphan. Will her mother be able to pull through, or will Esperanza lost both parents?
Review:
Esperanza Rising is a compelling story that tells the tale of a young girl determined to survive and keep her family intact in the face of difficult times. Esperanza deals with a number of tween issues including fitting in in a new place, something she finds very difficult at first. She also has a very close relationship to her mother, reflecting the importance of family that is often seen in tween literature. Esperanza also develops independence when she has to help take care of her mother and of the children around her. Esperanza rising is great story for tweens who are part of migrant families or who want to learn more about what it's like to be in a migrant family. Esperanza is a great role model to tweens because she is strong, determined, and brave in the face of adversity.
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