Esperanza Rising By Pam Ryan

Citation: Ryan, P. (2000). Esperanza Rising. New York: Scholastic Press.

Lexile Score: 750L

Summary:

                This book is about a privileged, rich girl who grew up in Mexico. For many years she lived happily with her family until tragedy after tragedy struck her. In a matter of a few weeks, Esperanza went from living the perfect life to moving to a different country and losing everything she loves. Eventually over time and through a rough journey Esperanza learns how to live with her new life.

Evaluation:

                I feel that this book is definitely of high quality. The book is filled with many conflicts in life that Esperanza must overcome, which helps other pre-teens reading this book realize that everyone has problems in their life, but they must find the strength, and hope within themselves to overcome their own struggles.

                This story not only brings hope alive, but it also has a great deal of heroes and self identity. In the book story Esperanza lets go of what was and in the process learned more about herself she would have never knew. She in a sense becomes the hero to her own self that she needed and finally realized who she is in the end.

Literary Elements:

Theme: Hope

Character: Mexicans in various ages

Setting: Mexico and California; a luxurious house with servants to a 1 bedroom cardboard shack to be shared with 5 other people.

Mini Lesson:

                For this book I would definitely teach about children stepping out of their own comfort zone and trying something new. I would explain to the children that when they do something they normally don’t do they get something new out of the experience and learn more about themselves in the process.            

Age:  3^rd grade +