“ESPERANZA RISING”

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

Readability Exile: 750L
Target Audience: Sixth Grade-Adult
Setting: 1924 Aguascalientes Mexico
Theme: Plans gone awry
Characters: Esperanza Ortega Munoz Hernandez Elgart, family and friends both old and new.

Summary: Esperanza Rising is the story of plans gone awry. As the daughter of a wealthy Mexican rancher, Esperanza looks forward to a future as straightforward as the rows of grapes in her father's vineyards. But that future soon disappears and Esperanza finds herself immigrating to a strange new country where she has no idea what lies around the bend. Her fellow immigrants come to the United States with big dreams and plans to work hard, and despite the many difficulties that Esperanza encounters, she comes to feel that making a new life in the United States is a dream worth having.

While Esperanza Rising does not contain any illustrations, the words paint a very vivid picture that allow you feel as though you are there witnessing the whole thing. From lying with Papa in the vineyard, to lying hidden under fruit in their carriage, to lying with Miguel on the mountain plateau, and everything in between, the ability to visualize and feel what is taking place is compelling.

While in Mexico, there are a diverse number of characters in the story. They are all Mexican, but there are men and women both young and old. There are rich and poor, and workers and servants who all play key roles in the story line. Upon arriving in America, they all encounter racism, hatred, and stereotypical comments and portrayals.

I would highly suggest using this story in the classroom as a means to open discussions on a myriad of topics such as persevering against all odds, hoping against all hope, racism, hard work, and the benefits of being able to remain true to whom you are while adapting to new or difficult circumstances.

I would have my students read this book and choose a character that resembles themselves, a family member, or friend and write a brief essay about that person. Having them expound on how they would feel and deal with that situation if they were facing similar conditions. If certain students have not experienced something like this or did not know anyone who had, they could choose to write from a fictional or empathetic viewpoint. They could look for and write about the many heroes in the story or conversely, the villain’s. There are many of both!

Esperanza Rising definitely meets the standards of high quality literature set forth by Norton (2011).