Book Summary -
Esperanza is the daughter of a wealthy landowner in Mexico. After he is killed, however, since women cannot own property, the land is left to her father's stepbrothers while her mother only keeps the house. Esperanza's uncle Luis proposes marriage to her mother. Her mother does consider this, but after the house is burnt and Tio Luis again proposes marriage, Esperanza, her mother, and three of their servants run away to the United States. Esperanza's life used to be one of privilege, but not anymore. She doesn't completely fit in with the other field workers because of her background, but she is no longer privileged. The book ends with Miguel, the son of their old servants using the money Esperanza has saved up to bring Esperanza's grandmother to the United States. Her life isn't what it used to be, but she is now happy.
APA Reference -
Ryan, P.M. (2000). Esperanza rising. New York: Scholastic.
My Impressions -
I was excited to read this book, because this is a world of which I really had no knowledge. I didn't really know about the Mexican immigrants that came to the U.S during the 1930s and what their lives were like. I certainly didn't know that women could not really own property in Mexico at this time. I did like this book. It reminded me a bit of the book Bless Me, Ultima in the way the Spanish words were included in the writing. I do love the title as esperanza means hope in Spanish. This gives a hint at the ending. I admit I wasn't swept away by it, but it was a pretty good glimpse into a previously unknown world.
Professional Review -
Gr 6-9 --Inspired by her grandmother's immigration stories, Pamela Munoz Ryan (Scholastic 2000) offers valuable glimpses of the lives of Mexican-American farm workers during the Depression. When her father dies, 13-year-old Esperanza and her mother are forced to abandon their privileged lives and move to California. At first the proud girl is appalled that they must share a cramped row house and work at menial jobs, but when her mother becomes gravely ill, she learns the value of generous friends and her own inner resources. This coming-of-age story also looks at the economic and social issues of that era, and the author's note adds valuable factual information. Trini Alvarado's narration is adroit and melodic as she handles text that skillfully intersperses Spanish phrases and songs. Pairing this story with Zilpha Keatley Snyder's Cat Running (Delacorte, 1994) will give listeners broader insights into the difficulties of the 1930's. This recording is a solid choice for all elementary and middle school audiobook collections, and a necessity for libraries serving Spanish-speaking populations
Library Uses -
This book would be a good featured book in the library over the Cinco de Mayo holiday, or during a spotlight time of book by minority authors.
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