This book earned its awards (and there are many). It takes you from feast to famine, through all the feelings, and portrays Esperanza's transformation from a pampered rich kid to a hard-working, wise, and loving teen. It includes some great scenes, some lovely imagery, interesting cultural information, heartbreaking lessons, and a lot more.

People who like young adult stories, history, family drama, personal growth stories, cultural stories, and more.

The good characters, Papa, Mama, Abuelita, Carmen, Isabel, and more.

The full circle elements, like the roses, phoenix, and birthday song.

The emotional intensity of the story.

I know that culture was different then (the book was set in the 1930s) but I was disappointed in Esperanza's father for not having provided better for her and her mother. He might not have understood how evil his brothers were, but ... it just seemed like he could have shirked custom and left them the land.

The beginning was slow but the story grew on me quickly.

Celebrate... it's women's equality day today. Something Esperanza didn't get to experience, but that I am thankful for.

All the feels I cried a lot though. Some days, I had to read something else before bed because of all the crying.

From Amazon: "Pam Muñoz Ryan is the author of the New York Times Best Seller, ECHO, a 2016 Newbery Honor Book, and winner of the Kirkus Prize. She has written over forty books for young people—picture books, early readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. She the author recipient of the NEA's Human and Civil Rights Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, the Willa Cather Award, the Pura Belpré medal, the PEN USA award, and many others. Her novels include Esperanza Rising, Riding Freedom, Becoming Naomi León, Paint the Wind, The Dreamer, and Echo. She was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, holds a bachelor's and master's degree from San Diego State University and lives in north San Diego county with her family."

It's a good story with a lot of great history, family and growing-up lessons.

It's heartbreaking at times and there's evil and violence.

I borrowed this book from my local library. I read it because Cubby featured it in her book club. I'm glad I did.

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Created Aug 26, 2021 at 6:31pm • Submit your own review...