Esperanza Rising

Written by Pam Manoz Ryan. Ryan was born and raised in California.  One of her earliest literary memories was of looking through her grandmother's encyclopedia set to find pages with color prints. Her interest in illustrated literature stayed with her throughout her life.  She has written over 30 children's books, complete with illustrations.  This book drew on the experiences of her first real job where she was a preschool coordinator at a relocation camp for displaced Vietnamese families after the Vietnam War. Click here for more information.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Theme: Cultural diversity and adaptation
Ages: 10+

Summary: Esperanza Rising follows the story of Esperanza and her Mama.  They are forced to move from their comfortable lives in Mexico into California during the Great Depression.  Esperanza is made to learn how to do hard work in the fields and has to learn to live with an entire camp of displaced Mexican workers.

Link to Picture

 This is a story that I would do in a book club or literature circle in my classroom.  I would assign readings and then group discussion and assignments to go along with different readings. We would have whole group instruction and discussion followed by small group work.   Students would also have individual work to do, reading, writing, and completing journal responses.

Reflection:  This is such a wonderful story.  The setting and story in a historic context gives more meaning and understanding to a culture and time period that children might not other wise feel a relation or interest to.