Module 5 - Esperanza Rising

 Courtesy of wikipedia.com

Book Summary:   
This story is about a young girl who had everything one could wish for.  When her father dies, her life is turned upside down.  She and her mother have to flee to escape her uncles.  They have to leave her grandmother with nuns while they escape. Esperanza goes from living the rich life to living the life of a peasant.  She has to learn how to work and fend for herself.  Eventually they are able to bring her grandmother to live with them. She learns that some of the poorest people in life are in reality very rich simply because they have family and friends and are loved.

APA Reference:

Ryan, P. M. (2000). Esperanza rising. New York, NY: Scholastic.

My Impressions: 

This book did a good job of showing distinctions in class.  I also like how it started out with Esperanza being on top of the world and had to learn to live in a completely different lifestyle.  It shows how we should value what we have.  I really liked this book.

Professional Reviews:

Gr. 5-9- Thirteen-year-old Esperanza and her newly widowed mother are forced to leave their beautiful Rancho de las Rosas in Mexico to live and work in a migrant camp in the San Joaquin Valley during the Great Depression. This Pura Belpré Author Medal winner will give readers an unusual perspective on the difficulties of life in the 1930s.

Professional Review Reference:
Gonzalez, L. (2003). Esperanza rising. Book Links, 18(3), 38. Retrieved from www.ala.org/booklinks 

Library Uses:  This would be a good book to use when discussing different cultures.  It could also be used to show differences in economic classes.