A review by moonyreadsbystarlight
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

This was a really good read. I was surprised at how much depth there was, considering that it was a young readers book (I would put it at 3rd-5th grade). It tackled really serious issues without being overwhelming and balanced showing and telling when it came to the big issues very well. This is set in the 1930's as the main character, Esperanza, and her family has to move from a place of wealth in Mexico to work in the United States. It tackles issues of classism and racism, including the issue of mass deportations of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans at the time.