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Pam Muñoz Ryan is a renown teacher and author of children's literature. Her most notable books are "Esperanza Rising," "ECHO," and "Riding Freedom." Some outstanding awards her works have received include the 2016 Newbery Medal, the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the 2003 Sibert Medal Honor.

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After the sudden death of her father and a big house fire, Esperanza Ortega and her family are forced to move California to escape her power-hungry uncle and start a new life. With the help of the Alfonso, Hortensia, and Miguel, the two families arrive at a immigrant camp to try to make a living. Despite Esperanza's initial hesitation, her mother's illness forces and motivates her to work hard, learn valuable skills, and adapt to a new lifestyle. She also learns to forgive others and decides to save Marta, the local bully and troublemaker, from deportation. Miguel decides to help Esperanza by returning to Mexico and brining her grandmother home. In the end, she learn to be strong through adversity and continues to apply her father's life lessons even after he is gone.

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1. Perspiration: sweating due to hot conditions

2. Loomed: to appear and have an ominous presence

3. Taunting: making fun of someone or something

4. Pressed: the use of an iron to remove wrinkles

5. Limp: unable or to have difficulty moving

6. Tendril: curly strand of a grape vine

7. Arbors: walkthrough arches covered in plants

8. Nagged: to bother persistently

9. Forlorn: sad and alone

10. Fragrance: a good smell

11. Mesmerized: to feel captivated by something or someone

12. Confiding: trusting someone with personal information

13. Valise: a bag used as luggage or to carry personal items

14. Frail: weak

15. Jalopy: a run-down vehicle

16. Spasm: a repeated, uncontrollable reaction

17. Listless: unenergetic

18. Bereft: missing something

19. Strewn: spread out

20. Bleating: sound made by a goat

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1. Are there any characters in the story who change, or do they stay the same? Why or why not?

A: Two characters mainly change in the story. The first and most notable is Esperanza. Towards the beginning of the story, she takes her family and lifestyle for granted. However, because of the difficulties she lives through, she becomes stronger by trying to overcome them. Esperanza learns to work hard, appreciate simple things, and be grateful for the little that she has. Her mom, Ramona, also changes throughout the story. Although she tries to appear strong and resilient for her daughter, she eventually experiences moments where she feels a little embarrassed about her new life, such as when she realizes she no longer braids her hair like she used to. Additionally, she becomes depressed due to feelings of loss and suffering, which worsens her physical condition.

2. Would you read something else by this author? Why or why not?

A: I would like to read something else by this author because I want to learn about the experiences of other cultures. Coming from a Mexican household, I was already familiar with some of the struggles immigrant families already experience. However, I would like to explore other books Muñoz Ryan has written about immigrants from a different background to identify similarities and differences from my own.

3. Choose one character from the book and explain how you are different from that character.

A: I am different than Marta because I usually try to avoid conflict. In the story, Marta tried to start a revolution wherever she went. She did not respect people who did not share her opinion on the worker's strike and encouraged division if it was for her cause. On the other hand, I always try to keep people from fighting and do whatever it takes to avoid having a heated conversation with someone else.

4. How might the story have been different if it had taken place during another time period? Explain.

A: The story might have been different if it had happened in the early to mid 2010s. During this time, people in America were more sympathetic to immigrants and recognized their importance and contributions to society. Esperanza's fear of being taken back to Mexico, however, would grow, as record-high deportations took place under the presidency of that time.

5. If you could trade places with one of the characters in the story, who would it be? Why?

A: If I could trade places with one of the characters, it would be with Abuelita. Despite loosing the same things Esperanza and Ramona did, she never lost her focus of remaining positive and believing there was a brighter future ahead of her family. She also had the opportunity to pass on valuable life lessons unto her granddaughter, which is something I want to do with my own grandchildren someday.

6. If you were the main character in this book, would you have acted differently? Why or why not?

A: If I had been the main character in this story, I would have somewhat acted differently. Unlike Esperanza, I have already experienced some hardships throughout my life and have never lived an affluent lifestyle. I would not struggle to consider other individuals in poverty as my peers or treat them any differently.

7. Were there any characters you did not like? Why?

A: One character I didn't like was Marta. Although I can understand why she protested against unfair wages and living conditions, she promoted the use of violence to get what she wanted. Additionally, she was rude to everyone, even when they offered her help. In one occasion, she threatened Esperanza and Miguel after they provided her and her mother with a ride to their camp.

8. Did you enjoy this story? Would you recommend it to someone else? Why or why not?

A: I really enjoyed this story because it tackles the reality and hardships immigrant families experience in a way both children and adults can understand. I would recommend it to someone else because it allows readers to immerse themselves in an situation that differs from their own and look at the world through the eyes of a character who may be easy to relate with.

9. What is the theme or message of this book? What were some events that helped you figure it out?

A: The theme and the author's message was resilience through adversity. Some events that helped me figure out the message include Esperanza's willingness to work to pay her mother's hospital bills, learning to sweep and take care of Pepe and Lupe, and her reunion with her grandmother.

10. What was your favorite part of the story? Explain.

A: The best part of the story was the ending because it used parallels from the beginning of the story to show character growth and development. I liked how on Esperanza's new birthday, she experienced the same event in a different reality, while maintaining her happiness. I also liked how Esperanza reconciles herself with different people towards the end of the story. She understood and accepted her mom's decision to immigrate, she forgave Marta for treating her wrong, and she embraced Miguel as an equal and (potentially) a romantic partner.

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1. BookPagez: https://bookpagez.com/resource/esperanza-rising-lesson-plans/

2. Obsessed with Learning: https://obsessedwithlearning.com/5-activities-for-teaching-esperanza-rising/

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Despite it being my second time reading this book, only now was I able to truly appreciate it fully. The different themes of this story not only resonate with immigrants and their families, but with the average reader as well. I liked how readers can identify themselves with the characters in the story and, just like Esperanza, learn to be thankful with what they have been given. I also liked how the author used season-specific fruits and crops to separate the chapters, symbolize emotions, and provide a timeline for the events. Overall, "Esperanza Rising" made me reflect on my family's own immigrant journey and how blessed we are to be where we are today.