In the 1930s, Esperanza is the daughter of a well-to-do landowner in Mexico, where her family has servants and vineyards, and she has never wanted for anything. Then her beloved Papa is killed, and his brother Tio Luis proposes marriage to her mother. With their world turned upside down, what will Esperanza do?

The beginning of this book was so terribly sad that I almost stopped reading entirely. One tragedy after another rocks the family, until Esperanza and her mother immigrate to the U.S. I was helped along by the author's note, which mentions that some of the story is partially based on her own grandmother's experiences. And though Esperanza's life becomes hard as she's poor and works in migrant camps, it is ultimately one of hope and the power of family and friends to come together. ( )

Reading Level: 9-14
Awards:2001 Jane Addams Children's Book Award -- Books for Older Children (Winner)
2001 WILLA Literary Award -- Young Adult (Winner)
2002 Pura Belpre Award -- Author (Winner)
2000 Americas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature -- Grades 4-8 (Honor Book)

Independent Reading Level: Grades 4-7
Awards: Pura Belpre Award (2002), Jane Addams Children's Book Awards for Books for Older Children (2001)

"Esperanza Rising" introduces major changes in life to students as Esperanza goes from a wealthy family in Mexico to the daughter of a migrant worker in American after the death of her father. Experience her introduction to America and changes as she grows older. ( )

This book is good for intermediate level. This book is about a young girl named Esperanza who lived on a vineyard in Mexico. Through the trials of losing her father and immigrating to the U.S. to work. She faces challenges and realizes that she doesn't need materialistic things that she valued so much before working. She comes to realize that being with her family is the most important. This book would be good in the classroom to use for awareness of the Latino culture. ( )