Esperanza Rising By: Pam Munoz Ryan

   Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan is about thirteen-year-old Esperanza Ortega who is very rich and owns a vineyard, El Rancho de las Rosas, in Mexico. Even though money is a big part of their, lives they have made them generous to all. On Esperanza’s thirteenth birthday tragedy comes into her family. She and her mother have to illegally immigrate to California and work on farms and in the fields. This life is much different from their luxury in El Rancho de la Rosas. Esperanza has never swept a porch, done laundry, peel potatoes, and live in such poverty. 

Workers are threatening to strike for better payment and housing because they didn’t have fair working conditions as Mexican immigrants. If they did strike Esperanza and Mama would lose all their work and money which is the only thing that could keep them alive. 

Mama is sick with Valley fever. Strikers are pounding on the front doors. Esperanza has almost lost everything. 

Inspired by a true story, Pam Munoz Ryan writes a true masterpiece. I loved this book and everything about it. Ryan’s words flow strong with hope and love. A few Spanish words tied into it make it beautiful. Their life wasn’t fair, therefore they had no fairy tale ending. Esperanza learns how to change her attitude because she can’t change what’s around her. That is what makes this book so life-changing. I highly recommend this to anyone eight years old and older. 

“I am poor, but I am rich. I have my children, I have a garden with roses, and I have my faith and the memories of those who have gone before me. What more is there?”