Esperanza Rising

 

Bibliography
Muñoz Ryan, Pam, 2000. ESPERANZA RISING. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 9780439120425.

Plot Summary
In 1924, Esperanza Ortega was living a peaceful, fortunate life on her family's ranch, El Rancho de las Rosas, in Aguascalientes, Mexico. She had never had to work or struggle, as her family's house had servants and her family had money from their ranch. She was given the best things in life, such as lively parties, beautiful dresses, and delicate dolls. Esperanza had never known tragedy until her father's unexpected death, turning her family's life upside down. Forced to run away from their home and her greedy uncles, Esperanza and her mother sneak away with their servants to California, to work in a migration camp for Mexican workers. Adjusting to a worker's life is new and difficult for Esperanza, but when faced with unavoidable situations in life, she manages to overcome the hardships to do what is necessary for her and her mother.  

Critical Analysis 
Pam Muñoz Ryan writes about 13 year old Esperanza Ortega, a young girl living in Mexico with her family (Mama, Papa, and Abuela) on their ranch. Their family is considered to be rich and fortunate at this time of the Great Depression; they host extravagant parties, dress in finer clothes, have household servants, and give lavish gifts. Esperanza lives a peacefully privileged life, unaware of the hardships in the world. All she knows is the pride her family holds for El Rancho de Las Rosas and her father's hard work. When her father is killed unexpectedly, her heartbroken family is left figuring out their next steps. Her uncles filled with greed, ready to take over the ranch, Esperanza and her mother sneak out of Mexico to cross the border into California. With the help of their loyal servants, they are able to join a segregated Mexican camp and work in the fields to make ends meet. Esperanza has a hard time adjusting to this life in the beginning. She is used to be doted on and being viewed as Mexican royalty, she is not used to having to having responsibilities and working. When her mother gets sick from the work in the fields, Esperanza takes her place, to help pay her hospital bills. Her young self is realizing her place in America, and it isn't at the top as it used to be, as she had never worked or spoke English. It is a hard reality check for a young age. Something Muñoz Ryan includes is Esperanza's confusion towards basic human rights not being met at the migration camp, such as equal job rights, communal restrooms outside for the whole camp, swimming at the pool one day before cleaning, etc. It fills her with anger to be viewed as beneath others. It doesn't make sense that single cabins are only assigned to men of the family, earn almost nonexistent wages for hard labor in the fields, the neighboring camp of Oklahomans receive a swimming pool, or Isabel (the daughter of the family they live with) cannot be crowned Queen of the May because she is Mexican, although she is bright and smart. As she matures, she recognizes everyone should be treated equal, no hierarchy. Confusion, anger, regret, and understanding are the main feelings of the story. Forced to mature quickly and grieve the once happy life she had in Mexico, Esperanza's character eventually understands the importance of faith, hope, and love, being all that matters, not the material things she once had. Muñoz Ryan provides readers with Mexican culture throughout the story with family traditions such as Esperanza's birthday song, family meals eaten together, Spanish words, and superstitions such a prick on the finger means bad luck. Overall, a strong story set in the Great Depression, told from the point of view of a strong, independent, Mexican girl. 

Review Excerpt(s)
- Pura Belpré Award
- Jane Addams Children's Book Award Winner
- ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults
- Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
- New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
- Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year
Starred review in BOOKLIST: "Ryan writes a moving story in clear, poetic language that children will sink into, and the book offers excellent opportunities for discussion and curriculum support."
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This well-written novel belongs in all collections."  

Connections
- For young readers who can relate to overcoming loss and major changes in life, learning that if they persevere, eveything will be okay.
- Fans of Pam Muñoz Ryan will appreciate this addition to her work, loving the strength Esperanza's character practices.
- Similar book recommendations:
Muñoz Ryan, Pam 2005. BECOMING NAOMI LEÓN. ISBN 9780439269971.
Anderson, Laurie Halse, 2002. FEVER 1793. ISBN 9780689848919.

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