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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I knew nothing about the involuntary migration of Mexican people from the US during the Great Depression before reading this book. Ryan reports that at least 450,000 people were forced to leave the US, some actually native-born citizens of the US who had never even been to Mexico. Many were arrested simply because they appeared to be Mexican. Ryan writes a beautiful and heartfelt story shedding important light on this heartbreaking part of our country's history. **Great as a read aloud!
Probably closer to 3.5 stars. It was so sweet and cute. A little simple, but it isn't trying to be anything else. I think I expected a little more from the workers' union sub-plot? I guess not every book has to speak out against capitalism (but it'd be a lot cooler if they did)
Read this with my 5th grader for school and it was phenomenal. Perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month. Well written and emotional throughout. We both loved it!
Everyone always talks about this book, and I assumed it would be your usual middle grade "diverse" historical fiction, which is to say something that panders to "non-diverse" readers. While I resent, even in a middle grade novel, the italicizing and insta-translating that goes on with the Spanish, and I find it especially illogical that everyone's names have accents where they belong except Mama and Papa, I did find this to be off the beaten track with immigration narratives, since it's more of a migrant one. There is a lot of interesting stuff barely touched upon as far as striking and scabbing when it comes to being in a precarious legal situation, and the repatriation thing was more or less new to me, and it's scary to think we may be heading that way again.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Taking place in 1930s Mexico, Esperanza lives the life of a princess at her family’s ranch and it all seems so perfect. But it takes a tragic end when her father is killed during a business trip, her home is burned down and she and her mother are now in the hands of her crooked uncle. Instead of marrying him, the two decide to escape to California and become farm workers while Esperanza must learn to accept her changed life and hope for a better one.
For a children’s novel, it’s truly a harsh but emotional story about life. Imagine a Cinderella story that goes from riches to back in rags. Esperanza’s story is pretty sad most of the time but does have its touching moments. A heartbreaker that bring hope for a girl who wants to find it again. A (100%/Outstanding)
For a children’s novel, it’s truly a harsh but emotional story about life. Imagine a Cinderella story that goes from riches to back in rags. Esperanza’s story is pretty sad most of the time but does have its touching moments. A heartbreaker that bring hope for a girl who wants to find it again. A (100%/Outstanding)
Read this with a 5th grade class and really enjoyed it. Very well written and emotional book with a lot of lessons to be learned.
Lyrically beautiful story of an immigrant girl in the 1920s. Her father's death leads to her leaving a life of luxury for hard labor in California fruit fields.
The novel is beautiful and realistic. Great children's book.
The novel is beautiful and realistic. Great children's book.