Esperanza Rising: Esperanza Renace (Paperback)

by Pam Munoz Ryan (Author) "Nuestra tierra esta viva, Esperanza -dijo Papa, mientras la llevaba de la pequena mano por las suaves colinas del vinedo..." (more)
Key Phrases: fiebre del valle, las hileras, los huelguistas, Estados Unidos, Reina de Mayo, Cuando Esperanza (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Esperanza Ortega possesses all the treasures a young girl could want: fancy dresses; a beautiful home filled with servants in Aguascalientes, Mexico; and the promise of one day rising to Mama's position and presiding over all of Rancho de las Rosas.

But a sudden tragedy shatters that dream, forcing Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor camp.

There, Esperanza must relinquish her hold on the past as she confronts the challenges of hard labor, acceptance by her own people, and economic difficulties brought on by the Great Depression, and ultitmately discovers the riches of family and community.

Pam Munoz Ryan eloquently portrays the Mexican workers' plight in this abundant and passionate novel that gives voice to those who have historically been denied one.

"When I was a child, I always assumed my grandmother grew up in poverty because the stories she told were primarily about raising her children in farm labor camps in California in the 1930s. It wasn't until I was a young woman that she told me about her childhood in Mexico. I was so moved by her riches-to-rags fairytale that I felt compelled to share her story." -- Pam Munoz Ryan.

Esperanza Ortega tiene todos los tesoros que una chica pueda desear: hermosos vestidos, una linda casa llena de sirvientes en Aguascalientes, Mexico, y la promesa de que un dia llegara a presidir el Rancho de las Rosas como su mama. Pero una tragedia inesperada destruye ese sueno, obligando a Esperanza y a su madre a escapar a California donde tendran que trabajar en una finca junto a otros mexicanos. Alli, Esperanza tendra que olvidar su pasado y enfrentarse a las nuevas realidades de su vida: trabajo duro, aceptacion y dificultades economicas. Esperanza descubrira que la verdadera riqueza esta en la familia y la comunidad. Pam Munoz Ryan nos presenta un retrato elocuente sobre la vida de los mexicanos en California en esta apasionada novela que le da voz a aquellos qu

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic en Espanol (August 2002)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 0439398851
• ISBN-13: 978-0439398855
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,875 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Libros en español > Infantil y juvenil > Historia e Historia Ficticia
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  #13 in	Books > Libros en español > Infantil y juvenil > 9 a 12 años

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ryan Delivers Hope With Esperanza Rising, November 14, 2002

A Kid's Review

Esperanza Rising is the story of a girl of the same name, who has to change her entire life. But, this book is really about overcoming personal difficulties, enduring hard times, and surviving no matter what.
The story is something I can relate to because it is like my life. If you are not familiar with Hispanic culture you may not be interested in this book, though the attitudes and some spoken Spanish, like the birthday song, might intrigue you. Although Ryan didn't do a particularly good job of conveying the Hispanic culture, her writing and storytelling will make the reader want to continue reading.
Esperanza, her mother, and grandmother live together. Family circumstances cause Esparanza's family to move to America where her

mother has to work in the fields of California as a laborer. Because Esperanza is used to wealth, she is very unhappy being poor in America. How she overcomes her poverty is the story.
The character Esperanza is based on Esperanza Ortega, Ryan's grandmother, her real life experience living on a hacienda in Mexico and later coming to America. Through Esperanza, Ryan shows how her own family made it through a tough time and survived - showing if you work hard enough and are not afraid to start again, you can resolve any problem big or small. Is it a coincidence that in Spanish, "esperanza" means "hope"?
If you choose not to read this book you are missing an opportunity. It will mean a lot to you and maybe teach you something. Take my word. You have to read this book.
Pam Munoz Ryan also wrote Riding Freedom, her most famous book to date, which won the Willa Literary Award, the I.R.A. Teacher's Choice Award, Parenting Magazine's Reading Magic Award, the 1999-2000 California Young Reader Medal, was a 1999-2000 Texas Bluebonnet Award Finalist, and a Pan West Award Finalist.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amrita speaks, December 15, 2006

A Kid's Review

I think esperanza rising is a great book.It teaches you how to stay calm in times of depression.I also think that people should read this book because it has a wonderful script and teaches you to be kind to others who are mean to you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Esperanza Rising, December 27, 2008

By	Amanda Place "English Teacher 1" (Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

FYI: This book, *Esperanza Rising: Esperanza RENACE*, is in SPANISH! For the ENGLISH version be sure to order simply *Esperanza RISING*.

Esperanza Rising is a wonderful coming-of-age novel set in the Great Depression, first in Mexico, then in Southern California. Esperanza is a young Mexican girl from a well-to-family, accustomed to being spoiled and always getting her way. When the family is forced to split up and flee the country for the States, will Esperanza have what it takes to help her family cross the border illegally, farm in the hot California sun and take care of the young children? You must read to find out!
P.S. This novel is great for teaching grade school students about the Depression and immigration.