Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan Miranda Durr

Summary This book is a riches to rags tale about a young girl named Esperanza Ortega, who lives a wonderful life on her father's ranch. Esperanza Possesses all the treasures a young girl could want: fancy dresses and a beautiful home filled with servants. Her home is in the bountiful region of Aguascalientes Mexico and the promise of one day rising to Mama’s position and lead over all of Rancho de las Rosas will be granted to her. Then suddenly, Esperanza’s father is murdered after a fire occurs. After which, their land is taken from them and they both have to uproot to California. When they get there, Esperanza faces hardships and difficulties brought by the Great Depression. Esperanza can't accept the fact that she is poor and just when she thinks that her life couldn't possibly get any worse, Mama becomes ill from Valley Fever and a strike for better working conditions threatens to relocate their life. Esperanza must work hard to keep herself and her mother alive. In the end, she learns to release her hold on the past and embraces a future with the riches of family and community.

Conflict & Resolution Conflict Esperanza must learn to live a new life as a poor migrant in California after her father is murdered. Resolution Esperanza learns to live a migrant life and manages to; succeed, grow, and learn to cope with her fathers death and let go of the past that she held on to so dearly.

Characters Esperaza Mama Hortensia Miguel Isabel

Setting The setting of Esperanza rising is a Ranch, Ranchos da la Rosas in Aguscalaines, Mexico. / California during the Great Depression 1n 1930

Theme The rich person is richer when he becomes poor, than the poor person when he becomes rich a Mexican proverb. Throughout much of this story Esperanza wonders how poor people can be happy with such simple things. She cannot understand the people on the train who are fine as long as they have their families and their faith. Despite set backs, people can still excel faith

Devices Used Foreshadowing Flashback Symbolism Metaphors

Genre Young Adult Fiction

Author Pam Munoz Ryan, the author of Esperanza Rising, is a wife, mother, sister, and a writer. She was born in Bakersfield, CA, and was raised in California's Sam Joaquin Valley with her two sisters. Of her sisters, she was the oldest. Her heritage includes family from Spain, Mexico, Italy, and also, Oklahoma, USA During long, hot valley summers, she spent most of her time in the library., she became addicted to reading books. When she graduated college, the job she wanted to do would have something with books. First she taught, then became an administrator. After some encouragement from a friend, she started on her first book, although she had already married Jim Ryan and become a mother of four children. After that book, she realized her passion, for writing. She has written over twenty twenty-five books for young people. Esperanza Rising one of her most famous books, has won many awards.

My Opinion On The Book My opinion on Esperanza Rising is that it was a sublime story about a child in one year had grown to become a young woman who had the responsibilities of an adult. This story takes you though extraordinary trials hand in hand with everyday challenges. Working as an adult migrant worker She still manages to succeed, grow, and learn. This is an inspiration to us all. Esperanza Rising has so many aspects most anyone could find something in that book that makes a connection to your own life. I recommend this book for any on who enjoys rags to riches tale.