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A review by jenbsbooks
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
4.5
I really liked this. I appreciated the extras in the print editions (I went primarily with audio but had the Kindle and physical copy as well) and those little items pushed it over a 4* for me (4.5). While the audio was wonderfully done, I can't stop and makes notes/highlights as easily as when reading, and some stopping/thinking about things, may have upped my appreciation even more.
3rd person/past tense - easy reading, but still enjoyable as an adult.
I'd already had this on my list (found a physical copy, picked up for the LFL, saw the high ratings), but then it was mentioned in The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (which I just re-read). I decided to go ahead and move it to the same month (as I'd already read Ghost, another book mentioned). This had been brought up in my book club too ... and I'm sure it will come up again too, as we discuss [book:The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise|39280558].
My son went to Mexico for two years, and loves the people. Through his relationships I think I've gained a more personal connection as well, to sympathize with just a story more. Here, it was placed in the depression era, although I have to wonder how different things are today.
Another recent read was [book:Uprising|444414], where there were teens talking about striking, and improving their conditions. While that didn't play quite as large a role here, it was still fairly central to the story and what was happening. That was an aspect I hadn't anticipated although I do see it mentioned in the blurb on the back of the book.
While I appreciated the Q&A with the author, and the recipe and doll making instructions, I would have liked discussion questions. I found some online - https://library.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Book-Buzz-Esperanza-Rising-Readers-Guide.pdf I really like a list of questions ... it's like having my own personal book club, just a little push to make me think of things I might not have on my own. To delve a little deeper than just a quick read for enjoyment only.
I liked learning more of the history (the treatment of the workers ... people willing to work for so little because they had no choice. The dust storms. The inequality and racial injustice). I saved a few quotes, points to ponder.
The narrator was very good. I'm not a Spanish speaker, but the accents and Spanish sections (not many) sounded authentic. There was a song (very short) ... SUNG by the narrator, and I was SO glad for that, as a plain patter-speak would not have had the same feel at all!
3rd person/past tense - easy reading, but still enjoyable as an adult.
I'd already had this on my list (found a physical copy, picked up for the LFL, saw the high ratings), but then it was mentioned in The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise (which I just re-read). I decided to go ahead and move it to the same month (as I'd already read Ghost, another book mentioned). This had been brought up in my book club too ... and I'm sure it will come up again too, as we discuss [book:The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise|39280558].
My son went to Mexico for two years, and loves the people. Through his relationships I think I've gained a more personal connection as well, to sympathize with just a story more. Here, it was placed in the depression era, although I have to wonder how different things are today.
Another recent read was [book:Uprising|444414], where there were teens talking about striking, and improving their conditions. While that didn't play quite as large a role here, it was still fairly central to the story and what was happening. That was an aspect I hadn't anticipated although I do see it mentioned in the blurb on the back of the book.
While I appreciated the Q&A with the author, and the recipe and doll making instructions, I would have liked discussion questions. I found some online - https://library.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Book-Buzz-Esperanza-Rising-Readers-Guide.pdf I really like a list of questions ... it's like having my own personal book club, just a little push to make me think of things I might not have on my own. To delve a little deeper than just a quick read for enjoyment only.
I liked learning more of the history (the treatment of the workers ... people willing to work for so little because they had no choice. The dust storms. The inequality and racial injustice). I saved a few quotes, points to ponder.
The narrator was very good. I'm not a Spanish speaker, but the accents and Spanish sections (not many) sounded authentic. There was a song (very short) ... SUNG by the narrator, and I was SO glad for that, as a plain patter-speak would not have had the same feel at all!