Summary
On the eve of her thirteenth birthday, Esperanza’s father is murdered. Her cruel uncles, Tío Luis and Tío Marco want Mama to marry Tío Luis (who has inherited the land) or sell the house to him for much less than it is worth. Mama refuses. Soon after, the house burns down. Mama tells Tío Luis that she will marry him in order to stall him until they can escape from Mexico.
Mama and Esperanza, along with their former servants Alfonso, Hortensia and Miguel, leave for California in the middle of the night. They must leave Esperanza’s grandmother, Abuelita, behind because she hurt her ankle in the fire.
After a long trip to California, Esperanza is shocked to see where they will be living. They must share two small cabins at a workers’ camp with Alfonso’s brother’s family of five. Esperanza’s first duty is to watch baby Lupe and baby Pepe while their parents work, as well as to sweep the platform. Esperanza must learn to do many things she has never done before.
One day, there is a dust storm and Mama gets very sick with Valley Fever. Mama must go into the hospital. Esperanza begins doing adult work so she can pay Mama’s medical bills and save to bring Abuelita to California. In the meantime, a strike begins. Esperanza and the other women are in danger from the snakes and glass the strikers put in their baskets. Finally, Immigration comes and clears the strikers away.
Esperanza also learns about the discrimination Mexicans face in the United States. They must drive farther to go to a grocery store that does not discriminate against Mexicans. Isabel is not chosen to be Queen of the May, despite having the best grades in the class. Miguel must give up his job at the railroad to men from Oklahoma. Esperanza tells Miguel that he is still a peasant in America. The next day, Miguel is gone.
Mama eventually comes home from the hospital. When Esperanza goes to show Mama the money she has saved to bring Abuelita home with, she discovers Miguel has taken her money orders. Esperanza is angry with Miguel and not pleased when he sends a message for her to come with his parents to pick him up at the bus station. However, when Esperanza meets him, she sees that he has brought Abuelita to California. This is the turning point in the plot because Esperanza realizes that there is some reason to hope in this new land. Soon after, Esperanza and Miguel go to the foothills and she is able to hear the earth’s heartbeat again. On her fourteenth birthday Esperanza is grateful for everything she has, even though she has none of the material goods she had the year before. (Scholastic.com)
Why It's Appealing to Teens
This book is vibrant, filled with lots of suspense, and laughter as the reader reads about Esperanza's journey to America. It also has new Spanish words and sayings along the way that students will enjoy learning. But most importantly, almost any teen can relate to Esperanza's character because she is just like any other teen who goes through changes (whether it's moving to another city, or adjusting to a new school and people) and faces difficulties.
Academic Benefits of Reading This Book
Mexican/American Customs and traditions
Spanish language
Conditions during the time period of The Great Depression
Labor Unions
Latin Literature
Figurative language
Descriptive language
About the Author
Pam Muñoz Ryan has written over twenty-five books for young people. She draws on the rich cultural heritage of her family background, as well as important segments of American history, to create memorable books that are exciting to read, and that depict strong human values. Many of her books explore aspects of the Latino experience in America, or illuminate little-known but significant episodes in American history. All of her books are based on extensive research, and reflect her strong commitment to cultural and historical authenticity, as well as respect for her audience of young readers.
Born and raised in California's San Joaquin Valley, Pam Muñoz Ryan comes from a background that is an ethnic mix of Spanish, Mexican, Basque, Italian, and Oklahoman. Her grandparents on her mother's side came to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1930s. She is the oldest of three sisters and the oldest of twenty-three cousins on her mother's side, so many of her childhood memories revolve around big, noisy family gatherings with nearby cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. "When I was with one grandmother, I ate enchiladas and rice and beans," she says. "When I was with the other, I ate black-eyed peas, fried okra, and peach cobbler."
When she was in fifth grade, her family moved across town. She was the new kid at school who didn't fit in, and that's when she discovered the East Bakersfield branch library. "It became my refuge," says Pam. "I spent many long, hot valley summers riding my bike to the library. The library became my favorite hang-out because my family didn't have a swimming pool and the library was air-conditioned. That's how I got hooked on reading and books."
Pam received her bachelor's degree at San Diego State University. After college, she knew that she wanted to work in a profession that had something to do with books, and she thought that would be teaching. She became a bilingual teacher and an administrator, and then a full-time mom, raising her four children. Eventually she went back to school and received her master's degree in education, and it was then that a professor suggested she consider writing. That's when she finally knew what she really wanted to do.
Today Pam is a full-time writer and lives about thirty miles north of San Diego near the Pacific Ocean with her husband, her grown children who frequently come and go, and their two dogs.
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