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Esperanza Rising

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 21,525 ratings · 2,433 reviews

A reissue of Pam Munoz Ryan's bestselling backlist with a distinctive new author treatment.

Esperanza thought she'd always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico--she'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm wo...more

Paperback, 288 pages

Published May 1st 2002 by Blue Sky Press (first published October 1st 2000)

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Apr 23, 2007 Courtney rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, childrens, young-adult, booktalk-this, multicultural-fiction

Though Esperanza comes from a privileged background, she and her mother are forced to flee Mexico after her father dies. She must work as a farm laborer (despite her upbringing and education) in southern California during the Great Depression.

The characterization is lovely; they are well rounded with realistic concerns and struggles. This novel illuminates the unique plight of Mexican-American laborers during the Great Depression, including forced deportation, labor strikes, competition from th...more

8 likes · like · see review

Apr 11, 2008 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

An inspiring story of struggle, hardship, and hope, Esperanza Rising gave me and my children much to discuss. This is a great work of historical fiction for children based on the life of the author's grandmother.

Esperanza, the daughter of a wealthy landowner, and her mother must leave their home in Mexico and start over as farm workers in California after the death of her father. Set in the early 1930's, this book gives you a feel for the struggles of the Great Depression as well as California H...more

8 likes · like · see review

Feb 14, 2008 Whitney Price added it

Shelves: multi-cultural-book

English 425 Submitter’s name _Whitney Price____
Book Bank Book Bank subject: __Group 3_Book_

Reference information:
Title Esperanza Rising
Author Pam Munoz Ryan
Publisher Scholastic Press Year 2000
# of pages 253 Genre Fiction
Reading level Interest level 13-15
Potential hot lava:
racism

General response/reaction:
My first response to this book was that I wanted it to be longer. I wanted to read more about the relationships Ezperanza makes and to see if anything evolves between her and Miguel. I really e...more

10 likes · like · see review

May 04, 2007 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: j-books, historical-fiction

Thirteen year old Esperanza lives a fairy tale existence in Mexico with her mother, father and grandmother. She has beautiful dresses, dolls, and servants and she lives in a beautiful home. Tragedy strikes Esperanza’s family though when her beloved father is killed. She and her mother are forced to escape to California from her uncles who wish to take over their land. Esperanza finds herself in a rude awakening as she faces harsh living conditions, hard labor and financial troubles from the Grea...more

6 likes · like · see review

Apr 10, 2008 Kelsey rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: 10-13

This book was wonderful! I started reading it a while ago, but stopped because I thought it was too sad. (I was at the part about the papayas) I just picked it up again and couldn't put it down! This was, by far, one of the best books I've ever read!

6 likes · like · see review

May 13, 2008 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

I just finished this book with my class today...couldn't read that last sentence because I cried...the kids cried too. That hasn't happened to me before with a read aloud...great story.

7 likes · like · see review

Nov 14, 2008 Nlayson1 rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book told me a lot about the Mexican Revolution and how struggles kept continuing after the Mexican Revolution.

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 11, 2008 Megan Tsosie rated it 4 of 5 stars

That starting over is not always bad, bad things may happen but we somehow manage to survive.

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 28, 2008 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars

quick, easy, and great read. i really love enjoy learning about other cultures, fiction or non.

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 22, 2008 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

best book ever!!!!!!!! it wuz so sad!!!!!!! i like cried like 10 times!!!!!!!!!!

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 13, 2008 Mikayla added it

I love this book too! The moral of it is really good! It s definately a have-to-read!

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 03, 2008 Mark Plaugher added it

Shelves: multicultural-ya-lit

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Reference information:
Title: “Esperanza Rising”
Author: Pam Munoz Ryan
Publisher: Scholastic Press Year: 2000
# of pages: 253 Genre: Multicultural YA Fiction
Reading level Interest level: Ages 9 and up
Potential hot lava: Nothing out of the ordinary

General response/reaction:
What I really liked from this book was that it was based on family and moral issues. When something bad happens, family sticks by your side and has your back. I didn’t like the fact that in order for Esperanza’s mother to marry...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 29, 2008 Fificita rated it 5 of 5 stars

%warning spoiler% awsome. this book is probabably one of the best books ive read. its amazing. this book is also well writen, for example the author in some parts he uses italics when the characters are talking in spanish, he also uses a sign that i cant find in the computer, but you have a sign that tells you that a scene has changed. this book is about a girl whos name is esperanza. this girl at first is very happy because she has all her family beside her and friends. but sudenlly her dad was...more %warning spoiler% awsome. this book is probabably one of the best books ive read. its amazing. this book is also well writen, for example the author in some parts he uses italics when the characters are talking in spanish, he also uses a sign that i cant find in the computer, but you have a sign that tells you that a scene has changed. this book is about a girl whos name is esperanza. this girl at first is very happy because she has all her family beside her and friends. but sudenlly her dad was killed. after that she was less happy, but then things start to get worse...she has an uncle that is very bad, and makes esperanzas and her mums live impossible. first he said that esperanzas mum had to marry him or if not she will not be happy. she said no, but then uncle luis put the house on fire, so they lost everything,so esperanzas mum had to say yes to marry him...but they had a plan, they were going to escape to the united states with alfonso and hortensia who were their servantas before they lost everyhting. finally they escaped but without abuelita who was esperanzas grandmother and lived with them. they went to the united states at midnight and they had a long journey. when they arrived there they lived in a small small house it hardly had space to sleep on. here they were isabel,and the babies living with her also her mum, hortencia alfonso and other people aswel. one day while isabel was at school there was a dust storm. in this esperanzas mum got very sick and she had to go to the hospital...will she get better...well yes she actually did, although things began to get better esperanza still suffered because abuelita wasnt there with mum and her. but sudenlly miguel who was hortensias son bought abuelita, without tio luis knowing. after this things got much better and they lived happily ever after in the united stataes although they were now peasants they lived happy. and for esperanza it was very dificult to live like that after living very well, but she went over it and raised again. "rising again, with a new life ahead of us" this is a quote from the book. overall this book is amazing. (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 27, 2008 Winna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

Esperanza Rising is a YA book I mooched from Anna Kay. It was a Scholastic hardcover edition with beautiful cover and excerpt pages (I love the cover!).

The story revolves around a girl named Esperanza, whose father was suddenly murdered and she lost everything in a fire. She and her mother had to work in Oklahoma, with her grandmother separated, still in Mexico. This book told her story about growing up, how she felt when she lost everything dear to her, and she was still spoiled sometimes for t...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 06, 2012 Nihal Dayal rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is more than amazing! It has a little sadness in it, but it just shows that life is full of sadness, but always things can work out. Esperanza believes she will always be rich n her ranch in Mexico, but after her Papa dies, she is forced to move to California to earn little money and do ranch work (being a servant instead of having them. This book teaches so many lessons, it's just unbelievable! I am so glad we got to read this book in school after reading the two boring books "A Long...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 25, 2009 Josie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-lit

Esperanza Rising
By Pam Munoz Ryan
Published by Scholastic
2000
Historical Fiction

Esperanza Rising is a well written, insightful look into the struggles Mexican farm laborers faced during the Great Depression. This book is important for children to read in that it illuminates aspects of history that they may not be previously aware of. It is not just useful for teaching purposes, however. Munoz has an emotional and engaging style of writing that will captivate the reader's mind and heart.
The story c...more Esperanza Rising
By Pam Munoz Ryan
Published by Scholastic
2000
Historical Fiction

Esperanza Rising is a well written, insightful look into the struggles Mexican farm laborers faced during the Great Depression. This book is important for children to read in that it illuminates aspects of history that they may not be previously aware of. It is not just useful for teaching purposes, however. Munoz has an emotional and engaging style of writing that will captivate the reader's mind and heart.
The story centers around Esperanza, a wealthy girl of twelve, who lives on a farm in Mexico, but has never had to work a day in her life. All of this changes when her father is killed and Esperanza and her mother must escape to the United States for safety. In a Cinderella like story, Esperanza is now poor and struggling with her new surroundings and life as a farm laborer. When her Mother becomes seriously ill, Esperanza is forced to become the breadwinner. The story is one of survival, but also of personal growth and acceptance.
Munoz does an excellent job of portraying the setting of her novel. The chapter titles are named after the fruits and vegetables that are currently being harvested. The importance of the land and harvest to Esperanza's life is nicely tied in to each chapter. The chapter titles only begin to set the stage for Esperanza's life of wealth in Mexico, to her struggle to fit in as a campesino worker in California. Munoz does an excellent job of incorporating important aspects of the time and place into her novel: the treatment of Mexican-Americans, the farm conditions, the threats of strikes and the everyday life of the farm laborers. A particularly illuminating story line is that of Miguel, who cannot find work as a mechanic, even though he is highly qualified, since he is from Mexico. Jobs were instead given to the Okies who will work for less money. Another emotional and telling instance as to the treatment of Mexicans immigrants is that Isabel is not chosen as the Queen of the May simply because of her nationality. It is heartbreaking that her Mother and Esperanza both realize she will not be chosen, while Isabel still hopes and prays every day.
Munoz has taken a moment in history that may often be overlooked and brings it to children in an emotional and understandable way. Children can relate to Esperanza and her difficulty to fit in in America. When entering middle school, everything may be foreign and new to a child. A period of adjustment and learning may take place before children begin to flourish. Like Esperanza, however, they will learn the lay of the land, grow and rise above. Esperanza learns more than how to sweep or wash clothes, she learns the importance of strength, hope, family, and never giving up.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 18, 2009 Lindsey rated it 5 of 5 stars

In Esperanza Rising, Esperanza is a priviliged girl who lives in Mexico on her Father's ranch. On the eve of her 13th birthday her father was killed by vaqueros. Her uncles now had control of her families property and would only allow her and her mother to stay if her Mother married one of them. She refused, so they take the train to California with some of their servants. Esperanza had to learn how to work and take care of her family and others. She no longer was waited on hand and foot. When h...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 01, 2009 Lynne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: latino-latina-children-s-lit

Esperanza Rising is a wonderful story of the Mexican Americans’ struggle and determination to make a better life for themselves and their families. Based on a true story, Esperanza Rising gives life to events and conditions for migrant farm workers in the 1930s. Pam Munoz Ryan’s novel can easily be used in the classroom today to provide knowledge, offer varying perspectives and give rise to critical inquiry.

In the story, young Esperanza is forced to experience two perspectives as she once lived...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 30, 2013 Deborah Takahashi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: tween-historical-fiction

Esperanza (Hope in Spanish) is not the average 'tween. Not only is she wealthy, she have ever known what it is like to have to earn her luxuries. Her father, a prosperous rancher, not only loves his daughter, but is a kind and generous man. Esperanza also has two step-uncles, whom she is not fond of, but the day of her twelfth birthday brings tragedy instead of joy. When Esperanza's father does not return home that night, her fate was sealed the morning when a wagon brings the body of her father...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Julia Miller rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: elementary, middle-school, historical-fiction, multicultural, novels, post-2000

Esperanza is a young Mexican girl who has to leave behind a comfortable life to go to America. She goes from being spoiled near-nobility to becoming a farm worker in California. Some elements of the farmworker's rights struggle are touched on, along with the complexities of Chicano culture, and the suffering that many immigrant farm workers face even today. This riches-to-rags story has elements of Pam Munoz Ryan's grandmother's life woven into it, and helps expand understanding that Mexican far...more

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Mar 04, 2013 Jessica Vanhemel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: multicultural

The only illustration for this book is the front cover of the book, the girl on the cover looks so serene and peaceful. It made me want to pick up the book and read it, I wanted to know what made this little girl fly.

This is the story of Esperanza, she grows up as the only child of a wealthy land owner in Mexico, they live on a ranch and she is accustomed to servants helping her with her every whim. She lives with her mother and father and grandmother, her parents are well liked by the communit...more The only illustration for this book is the front cover of the book, the girl on the cover looks so serene and peaceful. It made me want to pick up the book and read it, I wanted to know what made this little girl fly.

This is the story of Esperanza, she grows up as the only child of a wealthy land owner in Mexico, they live on a ranch and she is accustomed to servants helping her with her every whim. She lives with her mother and father and grandmother, her parents are well liked by the community and respected. There is an incident with radicals and the father is killed, and since the book is set in 1930, woman cannot inherit land. Esperanza's mother has no control over the land anymore and the uncles (which no one likes) come in and try to force Ramona (mother) to marry one of them. After a fire which destroys the house and land, Esperanza, her mother, and a family that has been loyal servants to the family, Miguel (the son), Hortensia, and Alfonso help the Esperanza and her mother Ramona escape. The grandmother, Abuelita, most stay behind because she is injured. With no money they travel by train to the United States, they travel as second class citizens which embarrasses Esperanza. This is her first glance at what it means to be a servant, she is not happy with the circumstances. They arrive in Los Angeles, and travel to a farm where they will become migrant workers. Alfonso, Hortensia, Ramona, Esperanza, and Isabel (Hortensia's niece from next door on the farm) all live together in a small cabin. Mama must now work for money on the farm and Esperanza must now help look after the babies and clean up the camp to help out, something that she is not accustomed to. After a months Mama becomes sick and must be hospitalized and for awhile it doesn't look like she is going to survive. Esperanza must now take the place of her mother as a worker, she is 12 years old and working all day long. She saves as much money as possible to send for her grandmother. While she is working on the farm during the different seasons, the is discontent by the workers, they want better treatment and wages, there are talks of strikes. Those that cause problems for the government are rounded up and sent back to Mexico. At one point Esperanza and Miguel have a fight and he leaves the camp in search of a better job as a mechanic, when he leaves he takes all of the money that Esperanza has saved. All the while Mama has been in the hospital after 5 months she is released and allowed to come home, not long after Miguel returns with a surprise Abuelita, he went back to Mexico to bring her to her daughter and granddaughter. The story ends after Esperanza celebrates her 13th birthday.

This story takes a spoiled girl and transforms her into a hard working supporter of her family in a years time. The transformation is a great story and for awhile all the sadness and challenges that she faces you just get a sense that she is holding out for the hope that something better is going to happen.

This is definitely a story for older readers, I would probably go with end of the year fourth graders or fifth graders. There is some content that would not be appropriate for younger readers, the book deals with immigration, racial tensions, death, and other serious topics. This could be a good introduction to a unit on immigration and migrant workers. (less)

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Mar 01, 2013 Geulian rated it 4 of 5 stars

The book Esperanza Rising is a book of reality, if you don't think it's reality, atleast I do. Esperanza is a 12 year old girl who lives with her father mother and her abuelita, she also lives with their peasants. Her family is a wealthy family that has a rose garden and a field of grapes. Most people think the wealthy are unkind, but Esperanza's father is the most kind, he gave parts of his land to all his peasants. Esperanza was very joyful where she lived, she even dreams about getting marri...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Cyndi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-and-young-adults

Esperanza is a young girl, the only child of a wealthy rancher and his wife. She has servants, the best education, clothing, and whatever she wants. After her father is killed under suspicious circumstances, her mother is being forced into a marriage by the power and wealth hungry brother so they flee to America. Life is turned upside down for Esperanza. Now she is a peasant, and her education has not prepared her for working in the fields, discrimination, not understanding English or the tide o...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Jacob Palans rated it 4 of 5 stars

Esperanza Rising is a book written by Pam Munoz. I was glad to read this book because of all the different adventures that it takes you on, whether they be sad or happy. Esperanza Rising follows the character Esperanza Ortega as she goes from being a rich young girl in Mexico to a poor Immigrant in California. In the book esperanza's family faces a huge tragedy when her father is murdered then her two uncles Tio Luis and Tio Marco try to take their (Esperanza's) family ranch. When they refuse th...more

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Jan 26, 2013 Beverly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: 11-14 year olds

Recommended to Beverly by: ALA Best Books for Young Adults/ala.org

Esperanza Rising is a classic. Part historical fiction and part coming-of-age, it is compelling from the first page to the last. Thirteen year old Esperanza lived a very privileged and sheltered life on an estate in 1930's Mexico until her father's murder. She and her mother are forced to flee the country to escape Esperanza's evil uncles. They come to the U.S., get jobs working on a farm and live in a Mexican farm labor camp. Coming to the US in the middle of the Great Depression when thousands...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Gabby Jones rated it 5 of 5 stars

Esperanza is a young girl who lives a wealthy life with fancy dresses and a beautiful home accompanied with servants on her family's ranch in Mexico. One night, a sudden tragedy has struck when Esperanza's father dies and her house burns down. Now, Esperanza makes a wise decision whether to stay in Mexico with her mother married to her uncle, Tío Lois, or to flee to California and settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. While Esperanza is not used to any hard labor, she and her family strugg...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Kelsey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 13-25

Esperanza has a good life in Mexico. A good family that comes from wealth, an education, and friends. What more could anyone ask for? This is all taken from her when her uncles set fire to home and her father dies. One of her uncles gives Esperanza's mother the option to marry him because the people in Mexico like her. Knowing the two uncles are corrupt, both Esperanza and her mother flee to America where they begin to work in the fields. Esperanza is kicked from her pedestal and must learn hard...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Libby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: coming-of-age, children-s-fiction, historical-fiction

Esperanza enjoys an indulged life on her family’s ranch in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Surrounded by wealth and loving family, she has little understanding of the servants and ranch hands around her. An unexpected tragedy robs Esperanza of her comfort and forces her and her Mama to flee to California. There they settle in a camp for migrant farm workers and are forced to endure the hard physical labor and financial struggles of their new position.

In a new land and a new life, Esperanza finds nothing...more

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Nov 20, 2012 Maria Salinas rated it 4 of 5 stars

Main Characters: Esperanza, mother
Setting: Mexico, California
POV: Narrator
Grade Level: k-2
Reading level: 5th
Genre: multicultural/ realistic fiction
Award: Jane Adams, Pura Belpre

Esperanza Rising is the story of a girl named Esperanza. She lives very well off in Aguascalientes Mexico. She dreams of always having nice dresses, and having everything she needs. Her father is a wealthy land owner and is able to provide for the family. Unfortunately he passes away and forces Esperanza’s mother and...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Irene Perez rated it 4 of 5 stars

Esperanza Rising
Grade/interest level: 6th -8th grade
Guided reading level: V
Genre: Historical Fiction

Main Characters: Esperanza, Miguel, Ramona, Sixto, Abuelita, and Isabel
Setting: Aguascalientes, Mexico, and then a Mexican farm in California.
POV: narrator

Pura Belpre Award Author Award winner, 2002

This novel introduces a thirteen-year old Mexican girl named Esperanza. Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their rich and comfortable life in Aguascalientes, Mexico when Sixto, Esperanza’s f...more

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About Pam Muñoz Ryan

A former teacher, she lives in Leucadia, California with her family.

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Quotes from Esperanza Rising

“We are like the phoenix," said Abuelita. "Rising again, with a new life ahead of us.” — 24 people liked it

“Our Land is alive, Esperanza...This whole valley breathes and lives...He picked up a handful of earth and studied it. Did you know that when you lie down on the land, you can feel it breathe? That you can feel its heart beating.” — 17 people liked it

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