Esperanza Rising

Ryan, P. M. (2002). Esperanza Rising. New York, NY: Scholastic.

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

Awards:

• Pura Belpre Award

A Long Way From Chicago

Peck, R. (1998). A Long Way From Chicago. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Plot: Joey and his sister Mary Alice visit their Grandma in a small town in Illinois for a week every summer from 1929 to 1935, and hilarity ensues every time. Grandma Dowdel is like no other grandmother you know. She is feisty, and takes no nonsense from anyone, plus she is kind of mischievous. Every summer something amazing happens, like Joey and Alice see their first dead body, which is odd because they live in Chicago in the time of Al Capone! Grandma Dowdel also wittingly got Joey a ride on an airplane when only Blue Ribbon winners at the fair were supposed to get them and she came in second place. What other shennanigans will she and kids get into?

Genre: Historical fiction, humor

Suggested reading level: Grades 5-8

Subjects/themes: The Great Depression, small towns, family, history, growing up.

Awards:

• Newbery Honor Book
• National Book Award Finalist
• ALA Notable Book

Sequel to this book:

• A Year Down Yonder

Other Books by Richard Peck:

• Ghosts I Have Been
• The Teacher's Funeral
• On the Wings of Heroes
• The River Between Us

Annotation:  Have you ever had a family member who is big, tough as nails and can wield a rifle like nothing? Was it your grandma? Well Joey and Mary Alice's Grandma Dowdel is like that and sneaky too. They visit her in her small Illinois town for a week every summer from 1929 to 1935, and every time funny events take place that you will not want to miss, so read this book!