Esperanza Rising Reading Comprehension Workbook

Esperanza Rising is the “riches to rags” story of Esperanza Ortega who was the daughter of wealthy ranchers living in 1930s Mexico until her family’s ranch was destroyed, her father killed, and her grandmother gravely injured and left to recover in a convent. Following these tragic events Esperanza and her mother (along with her family’s household servants) set off to the United States in search of work in Southern California where Esperanza grows more aware of the harsh realities of the ethnic, and class, tensions of the region and time. Esperanza’s mother falls ill and Esperanza is forced to work the fields and save every penny she can to pay her mother’s medical bills, and rescue her grandmother and bring her safely to the United States. Set against the backdrop of the depression era worker’s rights movement and immigration struggles Esperanza finds herself at odds with others working the fields, including a friend who, it appears, has stolen Esperanza’s savings and ran away. But, everything is not what it appears…

Ryan tells the story in a poetic, lyrical, form following the rhythm of the seasons. Esperanza Rising is a fantastic, and lauded, work of young adult historical fiction with themes of family, community, friendship, race/ethnic tension, labor rights, and (most importantly) hope.

Some of the awards Esperanza Rising has won, include:

• The 2001 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award
• The 2001 WILLA Literary Award for Children’s/Young Adult Fiction
• The 2001 Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children’s Literature
• The 2001 Judy Goddard/Libraries Ltd. Young Adult Book Award
• The 2002 Pura Belpré Award