Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan is about a young girl, named Esperanza Ortega, who goes to help on a farming settlement in southern California during the early 1900’s after the death of her father. On this journey, Esperanza learns responsibility, patience, determination, and above all, the plain fact that a rich lifestyle isn’t always the best. The Ortegas and their loved ones overcome difficult hardships, protestors stirring up trouble, and overwhelming sickness, always with a bright smile on their face.

The problems start when Esperanza’s father is killed by robbers, after which Tío Luis, Esperanza’s uncle and the local bank president, takes advantage of Ramona (Esperanza’s mom) and tells her that either she marries him, or their life on El Rancho de la Rosas will become very difficult. So Esperanza and her mother decide to escape in the middle of the night to California, accompanied by their former servants, Alfonso, his wife, Hortensia, and their son, Miguel. 

This light, exciting tale won the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award for Book for Older Children in 2001 and the Pura Belpré Award for Writing in 2002. After you read this, you’re going to wish Esperanza and her inspiring story were real!

Favorite Quote:

“The needle rocked awkwardly and at the end of her beginning rows, Isabel held up her work to show Esperanza. ‘Mine is all crooked!’

Esperanza smiled and reached over and gently pulled the yarn, unraveling the uneven stitches. Then she looked into Isabel’s trusting eyes and said, ‘Do not ever be afraid to start over.’ ’’