Plot: On the eve of her 13th birthday Esperanza's father is killed by bandits, and her mother makes the difficult decision to take Esperanza to California with their trusted friends and servants. They leave after their home in Mexico is burnt down by her father's brothers because her mother wouldn't marry one of them. It is difficult for Esperanza to get used to her new environment and living in a shack while her mother and the others pick vegetables and fruit, since she is used to being waited on and wearing the finest dresses. She overcomes many difficult obstacles, and proves herself to be a strong individual.
Genre: Historical fiction
Suggested reading level: Grades 5-8
Subjects/themes: Mexico, loss, family, prejudice, immigration, civil rights.
Other Books by Pam Munoz Ryan:
- The Dreamer
- Becoming Naomi Leon
- Paint the Wind
- Pura Belpre Award
No comments:
Post a Comment