Search - Esperanza Rising

This is a beautifully told story of a young girl and her family who are forced to emigrate to the United States and take migrant farm work in order to escape an unacceptable fate back home in Mexico. Esperanza must grow up quickly as her pampered childhood is replaced by one in which she must take on adult responsibilities in order for her family to survive. Serious, yet full of youthful optimism, this is a great book for readers in grades 3 through 6.

This was a beautifully written book. It made me cry more than once! And you definitely don't need to be in the recommended age group to enjoy it.

This is a true story. Esperanza is the authors grandmother. About 1930 in Mexico, Esperanza is the only child of a rich ranch owner and his wife. Her father is murdered by bandits. Mexican law says that only men can own property.So her fathers two evil stepbrothers inherit the ranch. Esperanza and her mom inherit the house and vineyards.One of the evil stepbrothers wants to marry mom, and send Esperanza to boarding school. Mom says no, so her house and the vineyards are burnt down. Mom agrees to marry the evil stepbrother. However, she and Esperanza and some of the servants head fast for the United States. All of them end up working on a migrant farm, in California's Central Valley. Mom becomes ill and has to go to the hospital. Esperanza who has never worked in her life and must work hard to have a better life for her kids. One of my friends who migrated here to The United States from Mexico, says that the struggle for citizenship is all too real. A riveting book. Great read.

Any book that makes me cry by the end of the second chapter has got to be good. This is a beautifully written story exposing parts of US History that few of us recognize (ie the Mexican Repatriation of the 1930s). Highly recommend.