Esperanza Rising
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Book Summary:
Esperanza is raised as a privileged only
daughter on a ranch in Mexico, when her father is killed by an envious uncle
who wants to marry her mother and take possession of her father’s land. Leaving Abuelita safely at the Convent and with
the help of faithful servants Hortensia and her son Miguel, they escape to the
United States; finding work at a farm labor camp during the Great Depression
era. Esperanza’s mother becomes ill, but
the former servants, now friends, help them assimilate into the world of work, family
and community interdependence-- vital for survival. Miguel secretly takes Esperanza’s hard-earned
savings, but uses them to bring Abuelita to the US—reuniting them with her
daughter and granddaughter. Esperanza learns
independence and the true meaning of her name, “hope—hope for the future.
APA Reference: Ryan, P. (2000, Dec.). Esperanza rising.
Scholastic Press.
My Impressions:
This story was very easy to
visualize as it is realistic with Muñoz-Ryan’s precise descriptions; how
Esperanza listened to the earth as her father taught her, how she didn’t know
how to sweep the floor when she first started work at the camp, or taking care
of the baby and making meals—she burned the beans attempting to prepare supper. The chapters were uniquely organized by the
name of the plant harvested at the time of the year in which the story took
place, giving them significance for that portion of Esperanza’s memories. Also of interest is the fact that Muñoz-Ryan
developed this story after the true tale her grandmother passed along of her
immigration to the United States. Muñoz-Ryan does a magnificent job with this gentle read, while exposing
some very sensitive issues.
Professional Review:
Stevenson gives a thorough review of the book
with additional insight into her struggles.
She also notes, “Based on Ryan's grandmother's experiences,
this is an unusual story that steers clear of some romantic pitfalls,” and adds
that there is no “condescension towards Esperanza's campesino fellow workers.”
She learns to “shed her prejudices” and what she has “gained by coming North.” Epseranza Rising is recommended for
grades 5-8.
Library Uses:
This could be used as an historical fiction selection
for history or social studies middle-school groups. The references to the historical situation
during the 1930’s in both Mexico and the United States could be discussed, as
well as immigration, prejudice, the privileged status, labor and economy issues;
how they were dealt with 80 years ago compared to how these situations are
dealt with today.
No comments:
Post a Comment