There is a place for everything. Toothbrush in vanity cabinet, laundry down the chute, clothes in the closet, dishes in the cupboard – and books in piles everywhere!
“Esperanza Rising” sat patiently on a pile next to my side of the bed. “Christmas Jars” was in a basket of Christmas books, which I always intend to read during December but never get to until January. It is all for the better. I seem to enjoy them more in the quiet, post holiday calm. A few select books sit on a stool, waiting for future book discussions, while a staggering stack of histories precariously balance on a wobbly, wooden chair, estate and garage sale “finds” that begged to be brought home on various excursions.
My reading habits tend to be a bit eclectic, wandering from poetry to cookbooks, short stories to expansive tomes, and there is always time for children and young adult books, which is where one of my most recent “reads” took me.
“Esperanza Rising” is a middle grade book by Pam Muñoz Ryan. The book was a gift my son-in-law thought I might enjoy. He knows me well. I did, even if it took me a year to finally open it up and read it.
Esperanza in the daughter of a wealthy Mexican landowner in the 1930s. She lives being catered to by servants, adored by her father, coddled by her loving grandmother, and loved by her Mama. She is an only child whose privileged life quickly changes when her father is murdered. His stepbrothers, powerful men in the region, leverage their influence and power to take over the estate. When Esperanza’s mother refuses to marry one of the uncles, they awaken to find the house on fire in the middle of the night.
With the help of Esperanza’s grandmother’s sisters in a nearby convent, Esperanza and her mother, Ramona, flee the estate. They are hidden in a wagon by servants, whose lives are also threatened by the uncles. They embark upon the long, treacherous migration to California. Along the way, Esperanza learns to find the goodness in those less fortunate in life than she has been. She learns kindness and humility as well as acceptance of others.
When these migrants finally arrive, they are taken in by relatives of their previous servants – the very servants that save them on the journey to California. Life is hard for Esperanza, sleeping in crowded quarters, their shelter not much more than a horse stall. Her privileged life is replaced by hard work, taking care of the babies and younger children while the men and women work in the fields. Miguel, her friend from Mexico, is the son of the man who transports them to California. He teaches her how to do one of the jobs she is assigned to – sweeping with a broom! She learns how to change a diaper and how to clean it, how to cook beans and how to survive.
When a dust storm whips through the work camp, Esperanza’s mother takes ill with valley fever (dust fever) and is hospitalized for a very long time. Esperanza takes over work her mother did and works hard to earn money to bring her grandmother to California.
“Esperanza Rising” is a story, based on the author’s own grandmother’s migration in the ’30s, from Mexico to California. It is the story of the unrest in Mexico and the migrant experience during the Great Depression, as well as the story of crop production, following the seasons in southern California.
The back pages of my copy provided insight into the author’s own grandmother’s migration. It also gave some recipes of food mentioned in the book (don’t you love the inclusion of recipes in a novel?) Also provided were the steps in making a yarn doll. Yarn dolls and afghan making play an important role in this book. Esperanza’s grandmother, Abuelita, teaches her how to crochet, instructing her to go up and down valleys in her stitches, incorporating strands of her hair that have fallen into the blanket. When they leave under the cloak of darkness, Ambieta gives the unfinished blanket to Esperanza. Mama works on the blanket at times in the story, soothing Esperanza, teaching her, and then Esperanza picks up the blanket when Mama is in the hospital near death.
While on the train (part of the journey to California), Mama takes pieces of yarn and makes a yarn doll for an impoverished little girl they meet.
Here is one of my first attempts at making a yarn doll. Rather pitiful, I admit. I’ll attempt a few more as I reflect on this exceptional children’s book and attack one of my biblio-piles.
(PS – I’ll do a post soon on some of the other books I’ve been engaged in.)
Your book review had me riveted to the story of Esperanza! What a nice gift from your son-in-law!
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Thank you, Janet. It was a nice gift, indeed. You might enjoy reading it sometime – and making a yarn doll for your Charlotte.
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Penny, I had to smile about you reading Christmas books in January. Being a mystery fan, I’m still reading The Big Book of Christmas Mysteries, edited by Otto Penzler. Thank you for the book review. I’ll add Esperanza Rising to my very long list of “Want to Read” books.
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So nice to hear that this brought you a smile – and that you are steal reading your Christmas mysteries, Sue, I’m not the only one still reading Christmas. 🙂 You are very welcome. I think you might enjoy this book – talk about women making strides in their lives. This little book has some excellent examples.
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Another blog to enjoy from my favorite blogger. I share your love of fiction for young adults.
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Thank you, Janice. There are some excellent young adult books. This one reminded me of the Lois Lenski regional books I read so many years ago from the school library.
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Love your yarn doll, Penny! 😀
I’ve seen this book many times at the bookstore and online places. Your review makes me want to read it. I love a good middle grade book. I especially love when adults recommend them. Books written for children are for all to enjoy–not just kids.
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Thank you. I am practicing making them better. 🙂 I agree – YA books are for all to enjoy. You might enjoy this one, L. Marie. I loved how the author used crocheting as part of the story.
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I should have known Esperanza since it has been on all the library shelves I have tended, but I did not. Thank you for your eloquent telling of the tale it will now be on my Reader Advisory. I look forward to more reviews from your book basket.
.
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I appreciate your kind words, Vickie. Thank you so much. Sometimes books just take their time before letting us read them. Esperanza has been waiting for me to open the covers for over a year. I don’t know if you ever read Lois Lenski’s regional series of books (Strawberry Girl, Cotton in my Sack to name a few). This reminded me of her books.
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Wonderful post! I love ER. It is such a good book.
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Thanks, Nan. I agree. It is a good book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
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That sounds like a really good book, Penny. I love the vibrant cover too. Migrants had to be so tough, and you must have inherited that resilience too.
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Oh, dear Juliet, thank you. I hope I am. This is very good book, indeed. Another one you might enjoy.
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