Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, 2000

Brief annotation:

Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.

Themes include immigration, family, minorities and responsibility.

This story is a good look at the conditions for minorities and immigrants during the Great Depression. It could be paired with current events topics of immigration.

- Pura Belpre Award, 2002