Book: Esperanza Renace (Esperanza Rising) (Scholastic Gold) | L23
Genre: Young adult, historical fiction
Length: 272 pages (paperback), 164 pages (Kindle edition, this is the page number quoted on Natively)
Is there an ebook available?: yes
Is there an audiobook available?: yes
Variety of Spanish: Latin American Spanish (author born in USA of Mexican heritage)
Summary - Spanish
Esperanza pensaba que siempre viviría con su familia en su rancho en México, y que siempre tendía hermosos vestidos y una linda casa llena de sirvientes. Pero una tragedia inesperada las obliga a ella y a su madre a escapar a California en la época de la Gran Depresión, y a asentarse en un campamento para trabajadores agrícolas mexicanos. Esperanza no está preparada para el trabajo duro, las penurias económicas o la falta de aceptación que ahora sufre; pero cuando su nueva vida se ve amenazada, deberá buscar la manera de sobreponerse a las dificultades: su vida y la de su madre dependen de ello.
Summary - English
Esperanza thought she’d always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico–she’d always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, and servants. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. Esperanza isn’t ready for the hard labor, financial struggles, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When their new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances–Mama’s life, and her own, depend on it.
Content warnings if known
From StoryGraph
Graphic
Death of parent, Racism, Deportation
Moderate
Fire/Fire injury, Chronic illness, Xenophobia
Minor
Animal cruelty, Murder, Excrement
Why are you nominating this book:
Trying to find interesting young adult content that’s not too challenging to read, and is either written originally in Spanish or is set in Spanish speaking society, I came across this book recommended for Spanish Learners on the Rosetta Stone website. I can’t actually work out if it was originally published in Spanish or English. Tentatively labelled a Mexican “Grapes of Wrath”. Looks like it could be an interesting and approachable read.