Esperanza Rising facts for kids
Original Scholastic book cover
|
|
| Author | Pam Muñoz Ryan |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Joe Cepeda |
| Cover artist | Pam Muñoz Ryan |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English/Spanish |
| Genre | Biography |
| Published | 2000 Scholastic |
| Media type | Print (paperback + hardcover) |
| Pages | 259 plus author's notes |
| ISBN | 0-439-12041-1 |
| OCLC | 43487323 |
| LC Class | PZ7.R9553 Es 2000 |
Esperanza Rising is a historical fiction novel for young adults. It was written by Mexican-American author Pam Muñoz Ryan. Scholastic Publishing released the book on March 27, 2000. The story is about a girl named Esperanza. She is the only child of rich Mexican parents. The book follows her life after her father is murdered. She then moves to California with her mother and their servants. This happens during the Great Depression, a time when many people faced hardship. Critics generally liked the book. They praised Muñoz Ryan's writing. Many felt it was a good book for classroom discussions.
Contents
The Story of Esperanza
Life in Mexico
The story begins in 1930 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Esperanza is a young girl living on her family's ranch, El Rancho de las Rosas. Her father, Sixto Ortega, is a wealthy landowner. She lives with her mother and grandmother, Abuelita. The day before Esperanza's 13th birthday, something terrible happens. Her father is murdered while traveling to town.
After her father's death, her uncle Tío Luis takes over their land. This was because it was not common for women to inherit property back then. Tío Luis offers to let Esperanza and her mother stay on the ranch. But there's a catch: Esperanza's mother must marry him. When she says no, he threatens them. Later, their ranch burns down in a fire. Tío Luis caused the fire.
Esperanza and her mother have to move into the servants' quarters. They live with their longtime servants and friends, Alfonso, Hortensia, and their son Miguel. Abuelita was hurt in the fire. She goes to a convent to get better. Esperanza feels sad and tells Miguel they are now on "different sides of the river." Tío Luis returns and offers marriage again. Esperanza's mother pretends to agree. But it's a trick. She, Alfonso, and Hortensia plan to escape to the United States. Abuelita cannot come because of her injuries. She promises to join them when she is well.
A New Life in America
Esperanza and her family travel to the United States. This country is also struggling with the Great Depression. Esperanza finds it hard to accept that she is now poor. She looks down on other poor people traveling with them. This makes her mother sad.
They arrive safely in the United States. They settle in a farm camp in Arvin, California. They live with Alfonso's brother Juan, his wife Josefina, and their children. These children are Isabel and twin babies, Lupe and Pepe. All the adults work. They pick and pack fruits and vegetables at the farm. Some work for nearby railroad companies. Esperanza is too young to get a job. Instead, she helps Isabel take care of the babies during the day.
Esperanza quickly realizes she doesn't know how to do simple chores. She can't wash clothes or sweep the floor. She asks Isabel to teach her how to take care of herself and the children. She slowly starts to get used to her new life. But she still dreams of Abuelita coming with money to rescue her from poverty.
Hardships and Hope
One day, a big dust storm hits the camp. Esperanza's mother gets very sick with Valley fever. She has to go to the hospital. Doctors are not sure if she will live. Esperanza needs money to support herself and pay her mother's medical bills. She takes a job on the farm, even though she is underage. She starts saving money. She realizes Tío Luis might be watching Abuelita. This means Abuelita probably can't get her money in Mexico. Esperanza saves money orders. She hopes to send them to Abuelita one day so she can come to the United States.
Life at the camp becomes tense. Many people from Oklahoma come looking for work. They are fleeing the Dust Bowl, a time of severe dust storms. These new workers accept lower pay. This causes some Mexican immigrants to lose their jobs. Miguel loses his job with the railroad company. There are rumors of a new camp for Oklahoma migrants. This camp would have better facilities, like indoor plumbing and a swimming pool.
Some workers want to protest for better conditions. They believe everyone should stop working together. But many families are scared of losing their only income. They worry they won't be able to feed their children. Esperanza keeps working. She crosses the picket lines because she needs money for her mother's hospital stay. After a large protest, the farm owners call immigration officials. Many protesters are rounded up. As part of the Mexican Repatriation program, many people were sent back to Mexico. Some of these people were even born in America.
Esperanza faces many unfair situations. Her mother is also very sick. She feels overwhelmed and has a breakdown. She complains about their terrible living conditions. Miguel tells her that things will get better if they wait and work hard. But Esperanza has lost hope. They argue. Esperanza says Miguel is "still a peasant." Miguel says she "still believes she is a queen." The next day, Miguel leaves to find work in Northern California.
Family Reunited
Esperanza's mother finally gets better and comes home. Esperanza is proud to show her mother the money orders she saved for Abuelita. But she finds the money is gone. Miguel took them when he left. Weeks pass. Then Miguel's family gets a note. It asks them to meet him at the train station and to bring Esperanza. Miguel used the money orders to travel to Mexico. He secretly brought Abuelita back. This was his way of showing "proof that things will get better."
The book ends on Esperanza's 14th birthday. Esperanza has finally learned to be thankful for what she has. Her family is together again. She has friends who love her. Most importantly, she has hope. The name Esperanza means "hope" in Spanish.
Background of the Story
Workers and Tensions
During the 1920s and 1930s, the time of the story, many people from Oklahoma came to California. They were often unfriendly toward Mexican workers. They felt the Mexican workers were taking their jobs. Mexican farm workers would accept much lower pay. This caused a lot of tension between different groups of workers in the fields.
Some workers felt their living conditions were very bad. So, they started to protest for better working conditions. However, other families refused to join the protests. They were afraid of being fired and losing their only way to earn money. In California during this time, about 86% of the people were white. Most of these people owned the land. But the 36,800 workers, many of whom were Mexican, did not own land.
See also
In Spanish: Esperanza Renace para niños
