Esperanza Rising

This book is one of my all time favorites, I recommend it to anyone ages 7-70! It is outstanding!

Even though I found this from my son's school book order form, I loved this story! I can't wait to share it with more children, especially family members who should hear about the history of our Central Valley in CA and how our grandparents lived as farm workers in order to make our lives easier. It was like hearing a story from my own Grammy. Please, Ms. Munoz, write more!

This book was amazing. Not only does it poignantly tell the story of a rich, spoiled girl losing everything and having to come to terms with a new life in a strange land, but you get such an eye-opening look at the lives of the people who came to work in the fields of Southern California and the surrounding areas during the early 1900s (dust bowl and Depression years). The characters are realistically portrayed and the time period is brought to life in this story. I was touched by this tale--Esperanza is an inspiration that we can all "rise above" whatever life brings us.

This was a wonderfuly story and the narrator made it even more enjoyable. I would highly recommend this little book.

Esperanza's privileged childhood in no way prepares her for the brutal reality of the migrant farm worker she abruptly becomes. The unforgettable events that propel Esperanza out of her life of ease and thrust her onto the lowest rung of Depression-era California agricultural work are swift, tragic, and irreversible.

Esperanza's initial attempts to adjust to her new life are inept and unsuccessful, complicated by her anger and arrogance, as she yearns for all she has lost. Slowly, she redefines herself, as she begins to recognize her enduring beliefs and values in unexpected forms in her new circumstances. Her courage and resilience fortify her, and love ultimately lifts her above the perplexing conditions and painful tragedies she must overcome. The fact that "Esperanza" is based on a true story adds considerable emotional depth to this intriguing slice of historical fiction.

The story is enhanced by the truly masterful narration of Trini Alvarado. Ms. Alvarado does not read this book, she performs it, revealing the cultural nuances and inhabiting each character in turn, most especially Esperanza.

Good story and sends the right message.

Exciting and entertaining.

This is a great book for young girls.

This book was very true to real life, very real. I loved how it showed the young girl's feelings and emotions completely. The story itself was interesting, and it gave the reader an opportunity to experience life during the 1930's for a specific group of people in very hard times. I loved getting to learn more about the Depression era from the point of view of an immigrant. The fact that they came from wealth and were taken to poverty just adds so much more to the story line. It happened to many people. You can really feel the ups and downs of the characters as they go through their trials, because the author's writing abilities are fantastic. I think this is a great listen for young people studying this time period, or for adults just wanting a good book to listen to. I enjoyed the narrator, she did an excellent job.

I really like the character of Esperanza. I also enjoyed how the story of her life went through ups and downs.

Esperanza Ortega is my favorite character because she had it all and then had nothing.

My favorite scene was in the beginning when they were at the Rancho de las Rosas in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

From riches to rags.

I am now tempted to read other books by Pam Munoz.

The best!

Haven't finished reading it yet.

No

No, i'm reading it with students.

This is a great book

I listened to this with my wife during a car journey. The readers accent was extremely distracting and when I finally finished the audiobook I felt I had wasted several hours when I could have listened to something else.