By Pam Munoz Ryan
ISBN: 9780439576178
Bibliography:
Ryan, Pam Muñoz. 2000. Esperanza Rising. New York: Scholastic Press.
Plot:
Twelve-year old Esperanza Ortega’s life changes dramatically when she goes from riches to rags after her father is murdered and her powerful and greedy uncles snatch up her father’s ranch. In order to escape from the oppressive uncle that wishes to marry her mother and send Esperanza away to boarding school, Esperanza and her mother, along with their servants, flee to America to become migrant workers in hopes of finding a better life.
Analysis:
This thought-provoking story takes place during the Great Depression and masterfully sheds light on issues that plagued Mexican-American migrant workers in the past and highlights issues that still affect immigrants today. Some of these issues include: racism, cultural differences, and the exploitation of Mexican migrant workers. Ryan thoughtfully conveys the importance of family in the Mexican culture by showing how families in the migrant camps depended on each member of the family to help contribute to the family unit in some way whether it was by helping to care for siblings, help with chores, or work in the fields. Ryan masterfully depicts the transformation of Esperanza from a spoiled rich kid into a hard-working responsible young woman who takes care of her mother when duty calls.
After the uncles had burned down the house, Abuelita says, “Do you remember the story of the phoenix, the lovely bird that is reborn from its own ashes? We are like the phoenix. Rising again with a new life ahead of us.” This quote is very meaningful because it is representative of all immigrants that come to the United States hoping for a new life.
In the author’s note Ryan mentions that this story is based on her grandmother, Esperanza. In the story, she describes characters faced with the difficult decision of striking to try to get higher wages, which could mean the loss of work or continuing to work under poor conditions and being shunned by striking members of the group. Her grandmother says, “We were all so poor. We all knew the feeling of wanting to work and feed our families. That was why it was so hard for so many of us to strike.” She also explains that they focused only on survival and put all of their hopes and dreams into their children’s and grandchildren’s futures.
Review Excerpts:
Booklist: “Set during the Great Depression, the story weaves cultural, economic, and political unrest into Esperanza's poignant tale of growing up: she witnesses strikes, government sweeps, and deep injustice while finding strength and love in her family and romance with a childhood friend. The symbolism is heavy-handed, as when Esperanza ominously pricks her finger on a rose thorn just before her father is killed. But Ryan writes movingly in clear, poetic language that children will sink into, and the book offers excellent opportunities for discussion and curriculum support.”
Horn Book: “In this poignant look at the realities of immigration, thirteen-year-old Esperanza, daughter of an affluent Mexican rancher, is forced to trade fancy dolls and dresses for hard work and ill-fitting hand-me-downs after her beloved father dies. Laboring in the United States, picking grapes on someone else's land for pennies an hour, Esperanza is transformed into someone who can take care of herself and others.”
Connections:
*Other books by Pam Munoz Ryan
Becoming Naomi Leon ISBN: 9780439269971
The Dreamer ISBN: 9780439269704
Paint the Wind ISBN: 9780545101769
Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride ISBN: 9780590960755
Riding Freedom ISBN: 9780439087964
*Check out Pam Munoz Ryan's Website:
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