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Esperanza Rising  By  cover art

Esperanza Rising

By: Pam Munoz Ryan
Narrated by: Trini Alvarado
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Publisher's summary

Esperanza Ortega possesses all the treasures a young girl could want: fancy dresses; a beautiful home filled with servants in the bountiful region of Aguascalientes, Mexico; and the promise of one day rising to Mama's position and presiding over all of El Rancho de las Rosas.

But a sudden tragedy shatters that dream, forcing Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor camp. There they confront the challenges of hard work, acceptance by their own people, and economic difficulties brought on by the Great Depression. When Mama falls ill from Valley Fever and a strike for better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must relinquish her hold on the past and learn to embrace a future ripe with the riches of family and community.

Pam Munoz Ryan eloquently portrays the Mexican workers' plight in this abundant and passionate novel that gives voice to those who have historically been denied one.

©2000 Pam Munoz Ryan (P)2001 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, An Imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"Rich in history and culture, this novel is all the more successful in the audio format." (AudioFile Magazine)

"Ryan writes movingly in clear, poetic language that children will sink into."(Booklist)

Featured Article: 12 Outstanding Audiobooks for Tweens


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What listeners say about Esperanza Rising

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Phenomenal writer

I've listen to 2 books by this author now, and have thoroughly enjoyed each!

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Amazing book

I cried listening to this book, it was like I was listening to my own grandmothers story!! Beautifully told
#tagsgiving
#sweepstakes

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Beautiful Story

My 4th/5th grade class just finished reading it. We loved it. A great story to use to teach symbolism, theme, plot, figurative language, and much more.

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wonderful!

This was a wonderful story. Everyone should hear this. Thank you for sharing your cultural past.

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Perfection

This was perfect. I love how the narrators performance gave life to this story. Wonderful

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African American / Mexican

I lived this book. It rang truths to so many ethnicities and .... my tears of love and hope while listening. The author did an amazing job. I can’t wait to read more of her books. It’s a dream to day meet her.

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quick easy read

story is good. read it in a day. started it because my daughter must read it for school. so glad i did.

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Great book

Loved it!! I could not stop reading. Such a great book for elementary kids to read and her description of Bakersfield, California was spot on.

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Awesome

I loved the way the narrarator told the story I felt like I was in the book itself and the way she spoke the language and sang the birthday song was amazing! I just loved the storyline I totally recommend this book!!!

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Road trip favorite for entire family

Where does Esperanza Rising rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

An enjoyable story that was well received by 9 year old twin girls, 11 year old girl and Mom and Dad on a recent road trip. It's hard to find stories we all like equally but Esperanza Rising hit the mark!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Esperanza Rising?

The train ride to California

Which character – as performed by Trini Alvarado – was your favorite?

Esperanza

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