Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan combines the American Dream, social inequities, and resilience into a powerful novel students truly connect with. Abueilta’s advice to Esperanza in the first chapter, “Do not be afraid to start over,” sets the tone for the novel. Steeped in the setting of the Great Depression, Esperanza Rising offers a different vantage point for real experiences during this time period.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Interest Level
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan Overview
From the book flap:
Esperanza thought she’d always live a privileged life on her family’s ranch in Mexico. She’d always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home filled with servants, and Mama, Papa, and Abuelita to care for her. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor camp. Esperanza isn’t ready for the hard work, financial struggles brought on by the Great Depression, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When Mama gets sick and a strike for better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances–because Mama’s life, and her own, depend on it.
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan Main Themes
Universal, relatable themes emerge throughout Esperanza Rising:
- The Search for the American Dream
- Resilience and Perseverance
- Family, Loyalty, and “Home”
- Social Injustice
Student Impact
Esperanza Rising intrigues students and naturally encourages critical thinking. The novel immerses students into a world far removed from the vast majority of their experiences (though some students may have personal experience with Esperanza’s journey either from their own life or from friends or family members).
Through Esperanza’s trials and triumphs, students learn the value of resilience, the importance of their roots, and the power of hope. This book also serves as a springboard for discussing historical events, social injustice, and promotes critical thinking.
Pam Muñoz Ryan’s writing brings an emotional depth to the characters, making them relatable, and you’ll see students naturally gravitate toward them.
Through Esperanza’s journey, students can engage in meaningful conversations about adversity, justice, hope, and how to tackle difficult changes in our lives.
Build Rigor
By itself, Esperanza Rising is an amazing novel to teach or read aloud. If you want to take your students’ understanding to the next level, pair Esperanza Rising with these nonfiction close reading articles. These articles are specifically tailored to complement major themes and concepts from the novel. In these close reads, students:
- Annotate
- Cite text-evidence
- Develop inferences
- Make text-to-text connections
- Develop vocabulary
- Build writing skills
These articles help bridge the gap between fiction and nonfiction for these four Esperanza Rising related topics:
- What is Perseverance?
- What is the American Dream?
- What Makes a Home?
- What is Social Class?
Grab your copy here: Esperanza Rising Novel Study Supplement
I Want to Hear From You
Why do you love teaching Eseranza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan? What do your students like about the novel? What surprises your students most? Share your experiences in the comments below!
