
Esperanza Rising
is a beautiful story of a girl who is forced to move to California after her father is killed and her uncles take over the ranch where she spent her childhood.It is written by Pam Munoz Ryan and was published in 2000.I have read it and declare it as the best book I've read. The following is a description of the story written on the back of the book:
"Esperanza believed her life would be wonderful forever.She would always live on her family's ranch in Mexico.She would always have fancy dresses and a beautiful home filled with servants.Papa and Abuelita would always be with her.|
But a sudden tragedy shatters her world and forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California, where they settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers.Esperanza isn't ready for the hard labor,financial strugles brought by the Great Depression, and lack of acceptance she now faces.When Mama gets sick, and a strike for better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances-because Mama's life and her own depend on it."
Awards won:
Pura Belpre Award
Jane Addams Children's Book Award
Willa Cather Award
ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
New York Public 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Publishers Weekly Best book of the Year 2000
Reviews:
"Told in a lyrical,fairy tale-like style....Readers will be swept up."
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Publishers Weekly,starred review
"Easy to booktalk,useful in classroom discussions,and accessible as pleasure reading, this well-written novel belongs in all collections."
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School Library Journal,starred review