Esperanza Rising

I read this book back when I was a freshman in High School, and really identified with Esperanza Ortega because like her I moved to a different country when I was 12 years old and had to adapt. Love the symbolism on this beautiful and captivating novel, and the fact Ryan uses Spanish proverb makes the reader more aware of the Mexican culture and traditions. The story of Esperanza is a fictionalized version of how the authors abuelita(grandma) came to the United States makes the story more enjoyable. I really enjoy it.

Reader reviewed by Grace S.

Esperanza Rising is about a girl around the age of 13 who has ever thing taken awy from her by one tiny prroblem...her dad died. This story is about finding hope when thier is none. When you read this book you will feel touched and sarrowful while Esperanza goes on this over whellming adventure to save her's and her mother's life.

 My favorite part in this book is when when she is learning how to stay at home and take care of 2 babies! If you want to know why she had to do that then i guess you will just have to read it and find out for your self.

I reomend this book to kids-adults any age. this heart warming story with thrill,wonder,amazment, and worry will show you the ture meaning of hope. 

Reader reviewed by Jenna`

Esperanza Rising is an awesome book, it is not very long and tells the story of guess who? Esperanza!! This is the tale of a young girl, about maybe 10 or 11, I don't remember very well, that her family that was very rich. Then one day, her Father was killed, and the bad guys come for their house, they have to escape with her poor grief-stricken mother, to live with their Aunt and Uncle in a very small cabin in the woods, Esperanza will have to learn patience and tolerance to live! Read It!!!!!

Reader reviewed by Juicey_Juice

I liked this book. I didn't think that I would like it, because, our class had to pick from a specific list of books and the first one i picked was boring and couldn't understand what they were saying. And this was the only one left. It was a page turner on some parts and others I was able to put it down if I had to do something else. But, it was definitely different than what I expected, and I recommend this book, especially if you are into learning about immigration or you want to know all about it.

Reader reviewed by Hana

This is the tale of Cinderella... but only at the start. Esperanza is the only daughter of a kind, rich Mexican landowner. One day her father doesn't come home and is later found murdered. She must flee with her mother to escape her evil uncles who burned down their home and fields to America, illegally. They go with close servant friends, but they are now equal. The rich girl is now poor, and must learn to work in migrant camps. Survival is hard, but Esperanza Rose.

This book is a great read, even a great re-read. It is hard not to reflect on it at the end and is very thought-provoking. Anyone who doesn't read this is truly missing out!

Reader reviewed by D@ @!m3$t3R

Esperanza is the daughter of a wealthy ranch owner in Mexico during a time of unrest. The evening before her birthday, Esperanzas life changes forever when she learns that her father has been murdered. Her mother makes the decision to move to the United States, rather than marry one of her husbands step-brothers, and they sneak out of the country. Esperanza is shocked at the conditions they now have to live inbefore she had a large, sprawling house, and now she shares a horse stall with 4 people. Eventually she learns the ways of the camp, and learns that for every valley, there is a mountain. The writing is clear and precise, and much of the Spanish is translatedeither right in the sentence, or inferred with the next. Each chapter is headed by a different food, which makes sense as they dont tell time by months at these camps, they tell by which crop. Esperanzas development was a little hard to follow, but her emotions are real, and the changes she makes are not unrealistic. I nearly cried at the beginning. The author includes a note at the end.

Reader reviewed by librariane

Esperanza is the daughter of a wealthy ranch owner in Mexico during a time of unrestmany despise people like her Papa. The evening before her birthday, Esperanzas life changes forever when she learns that her father has been murdered. Her mother makes the decision to move to the United States, rather than marry one of her husbands step-brothers, and they sneak out of the country. Esperanza is shocked at the conditions they now have to live inbefore she had a large, sprawling house, and now she shares a horse stall with 4 people. Eventually she learns the ways of the camp, and learns that for every valley, there is a mountain. The writing is clear and precise, and much of the Spanish is translatedeither right in the sentence, or inferred with the next. Each chapter is headed by a different food, which makes sense as they dont tell time by months at these camps, they tell by which crop. Esperanzas development was a little hard to follow, but her emotions are real, and the changes she makes are not unrealistic. I nearly cried at the ending (happy crying!). The author includes a note at the end.

Reader reviewed by J. Chow

When i was told to read this book for a school assignment I expected a boring, strange, colorless plot and characters. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how inspiring the story of Esperanza and her family was. Their courage and perseverance in America can easily be related to by other foreign immigrants.

Reader reviewed by Kurtis

This book is very detailed. It tells a tale of a girl who lives in Mexico and her father gets killed.
She is forced to move to California where she is no longer waited on and complains often. I would recamend this book to you and for your enjoyment. The only downside to this book is that it is a little long

Reader reviewed by Bookworm9

Esperanza is the priveledged daughter of a rich Mexican rancher-- that is, until her father's sudden death and the unscrupulous proposals of her malicious step-uncle force her and her mother to flee to California with three of their former servants. There, they assume new lives as migrant fruit pickers, and Esperanza must assume new dreams and values.

While the premise of this story is intriguing (and based on the story of the author's grandmother), the book itself was predictable and rather dull. Esperanza is a stereotypical brat who transforms into a caring girl, with little insight given into the transformation. As a reader, I never found myself liking her or even understanding her. The historical situation is interesting, but I felt like it was a watered down version. This was like a Hispanic, "children-ized" version of "The Grapes of Wrath"-- it has a good message, but unlike "TGoW," it's not executed well.