I am Esperanza I am smart and resilient I wonder if my anger will go away I hear the clicking and clacking of the train I see the towns rush by I want Papa to be alive and this nightmare to end I am smart and resilient I pretend I am still living at El Rancho de las Rosas I feel for the first time other people’s pain, but I still feel mine more I touch the cold hard potatoes, with hands cracked and stiff I worry about the strike, don’t they know I need this job I cry for Mama, please make her well I am smart and resilient I understand I will always have my memories of El Rancho de las Rosas and Papa. I will make new memories with Mama and Abuelita I say, “Do not ever be afraid to start over.” I dream of learning English, a tiny home of my own I try never to be held back by fear, the unknown or those who would keep me down I am smart and resilient

Collage Explanation of Pictures Quilt- The zigzag pattern represents the ups and downs Esperanza faced during her journey. Rancho de las Rosas- The beloved ranch that Esperanza loved and the home she believed she would never leave and the privileged life she would always live. Rose- The rose represents Papa and the idea that life goes on and memories sustain us all. Quinceañeras- Represents Esperanza’s previous life. The happy times before Papa died and her family had to move to the United States. Esperanza- This is Esperanza as a young girl carefree, and gay. Esperanza- This is Esperanza after working in the fields, worrying about Mama Fields- The fields that produced the fruits and vegetable that Esperanza processed and packed. Migrant Workers- Strikers- This picture represents the plight of the migrant workers and Esperanza fear that without her job she would not be able to take care of Mama, pay the doctor bills, feed her family and ultimately bring Abuelita to California Yarn Doll-This represents the change in Esperanza from the beginning of the book to the end. On their way to California Mama made a doll like this for a little girl on the train. Esperanza was annoyed and did not understand how her mother could be so kind to a poor, dirty girl she hardly knew. At the end of the story Esperanza makes yarn dolls for Isabel. It demonstrates that although Esperanza still misses her previous life, she has developed an understanding that things in life change and each of us must get past the difficulties and find new happiness and dreams.

Bibliography BB-pink-wave-blanket.jpg bridge2003/Roses/myrose.jpg /aimeelongino_ com/Listings/79_0.jpg young%20mexican%20girl.JPG tango.travelwithsears.com/ images/quince5.jpg projects/fresa/fresa5.JPG assets/aa/chavez/aa_c... toys/yarndoll.jpg chicanas.com/ images/tennayuca.gif oc/photo/96c2189.jpg