Reading Level: 9-14
Awards:2001 Jane Addams Children's Book Award -- Books for Older Children (Winner)
2001 WILLA Literary Award -- Young Adult (Winner)
2002 Pura Belpre Award -- Author (Winner)
2000 Americas Award for Children & Young Adult Literature -- Grades 4-8 (Honor Book)

Independent Reading Level: Grades 4-7
Awards: Pura Belpre Award (2002), Jane Addams Children's Book Awards for Books for Older Children (2001)

"Esperanza Rising" introduces major changes in life to students as Esperanza goes from a wealthy family in Mexico to the daughter of a migrant worker in American after the death of her father. Experience her introduction to America and changes as she grows older. ( )

This book is good for intermediate level. This book is about a young girl named Esperanza who lived on a vineyard in Mexico. Through the trials of losing her father and immigrating to the U.S. to work. She faces challenges and realizes that she doesn't need materialistic things that she valued so much before working. She comes to realize that being with her family is the most important. This book would be good in the classroom to use for awareness of the Latino culture. ( )

This book is appropriate for 4th-5th grade. This book is about a girl who lives a content life with her family. Then a tragedy strikes and her father passes away. She then moves with her mom during the great depression and has to help her mom get by and support them. I really enjoyed this book. I would use this book as a lit circle book or group book so that students can collaborate. ( )