"Esperanza Rising"

Summary of  Esperanza Rising
This story tells of the sorrow and adventures seen through the eyes of 13 year old Esperanza.  After losing her father, corrupt uncles seize the family farm and Esperanza and her mother flee with their servants to America.  In America, she is like any other Mexican and has difficulties accepting the changes.  When her mother gets ill, she discovers a strength and determination she never knew she had. Within the story is the history of Repatriation; the forced removal of hispanics during the Great Depression.

Ryan, P. M. (2000).  Esperanza Rising. Pittsburg, PA. Scholastic.

Personal Impressions
I found this book to be well-written, fast paced, and exciting. It angered me that the uncles were so corrupt and sinister, forcing this mother and daughter to flee during a time of mourning and leave behind the beloved grandmother. Her transformation of a "princess" into a hard worker who provides and cares for others contributes greatly to the story. The history of Repatriation is very real; I've heard stories from my husband's grandfather of how in West Texas the citizens of a town would find all the Hispanics and pay a one way bus ticket back to Mexico when jobs got scarce during the Great Depression. I understand their desperation to keep jobs for Americans, but unfortunately, some Hispanic American citizens were also mistakenly removed.

Reviews of Esperanza Rising
"This exciting, well-written historical novel is based on the true-life experiences of the author's grandmother, Esperanza Ortega. Thirteen-year-old Esperanza and her newly widowed mother are forced to leave their fairytale existence at beautiful Rancho de las Rosas in Mexico, to live and work in a migrant worker camp in the San Joaquin Valley during the Great Depression. Adjustments to her new life are difficult for Esperanza the harsh living conditions and hard labor are so different from her earlier life of privilege and wealth, especially after Mama becomes seriously ill with valley fever. But like the phoenix in her beloved grandma's story, Esperanza endures, "Rising again, with a new life ahead..." The author does a very good job of portraying the caring and solidarity, as well as the hardships, of Mexican-American labor camps of the era. An author's note is included. This book would be a great choice for a multicultural collection.""
Review by Gisela Jernigan of Children's Literature and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble on September 6, 2010.

"Gr 6-9-Inspired by her grandmother's immigration stories, Pamela Mu-oz 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."
Review by Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT of School Library Journal and Retrieved from Barnes & Noble on September 6, 2010.

Suggestions
1. Use this book as a springboard into exploring Hispanic culture. Include a unit study of the language, songs, food, and customs of Mexico.
2. Have students investigate repatriation and write a two page report on the history of this time in America with comments at the end of how they feel about it.  The following prompt questions will help them structure the paper. What is repatriation? Was it fair? Why do you think American citizens wanted the mexicans to leave?