Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Esperanza Ortega is the young daughter of a wealthy ranch owner in Aquascalientes, Mexico in the 1920s. Even though the Mexican Revolution is over, there is still a lot of tension between the classes in Mexico. Esperanza’s father was killed by bandits. Life quickly turned from bad to worse after the father’s death. Esperanza, her mother, and their close servant’s family packed up in the night and fled for America to work the fields in California. The story talks about the hardships migrant worker families faced. Esperanza went from a very privileged girl in Mexico to a poor and desperate one in America. The end of the book ends with a thread of hope when Esperanza’s grandmother is brought to California to be with them.

Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Read Aloud: Ages 9 and up

This book is a well written story. The author does a beautiful job of describing the realities of Esperanza’s life and transformation from privileged wealthy girl to poor and desolate. We see the transformation in Esperanza’s heart as well as the selfishness fades along with the wealth. The themes are a bit intense. The father was murdered, but the author does not give details or any sort of description of how he died. Life in the migrant camps was also very difficult, and the author does not shield the readers from their reality. However, I feel comfortable with my own kids reading this novel as long as I am able to be ready to discuss.

Esperanza’s family is Catholic, and this is very interwoven in the story. It appears in the way the family prays to Our Lady Guadalupe asking her for guidance and protection. It also is mentioned several times that the Rosary is being said and candles are being lit. There is mention of superstitions and premonitions as well. This could be good conversation starters between Protestantism and Catholicism.

Content Considerations:
Many references to Catholic practices such as saying the Rosary, masses, praying to Our Lady Guadalupe, shrines, praying to shrines
“Mama looked up as if consulting the angels.”
“Papa’s heart will find us wherever we go” -many of the ways people comforted Esperanza were Biblically inaccurate
Grandmother had a premonition that something was wrong.
There is a lot of disputes regarding culture-Mexicans being less than white people. There were many examples given during the time in the migrant camp
Immigration comes and removes many Mexican families while they strike and sent them back to Mexico.

This review is written by Good Book Mom contributor, Tricia. To learn more about Tricia, click HERE.

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