Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Share your thoughts about our pick for February on this thread!

I was delighted by Trini Alvarado's narration of the audio version. Having already read the book in the past, I opted to borrow the audiobook and the story was enhanced by her singing. What a treat!

Individually and as a community of poor struggling to survive, love is a powerful source of strength and meaning and Esperanza transitions from being a pampered self-absorbed rich girl to a hard working generous young woman aware of self and others. Thankfully, the wealthy grandmother left behind does not arrive in the end with wealth intact for a fairy tale ending. I like that Esperanza's compassion extends to impoverished Okies, despite the rumored favorable treatment they receive because they are white even as she and all like her are hindered and harmed by discrimination. It is an ongoing ugly truth and struggle, still.

I was engaged in the story but disappointed in lack of character development. Characters were either good or bad or in the Esperanza's case, from spoiled loving daughter to hard working, compassionate, loving daughter. Although the anti-Mexican (and anti non-white American) racism was portrayed, the emphasis was on the American Dream - those who work hard will win out.

This is a tale of friendship and resilience. Although I can't say I was able to fully root for her. The writing did nothing compel me enough. But I liked reading about their lives in Mexico; the food they ate and the little traditions like serenading under the window of the birthday girl. I got a lot out of reading about the lives of the working immigrants; the jobs they did and the way their living quarters were segregated into races. The political sections were also eye-opening.

I just started this and kind of understand that some of my friends have called Esperanza Rising a trifle too fairy tale like in set up and scope. Now I do love fairy tales, but in most fairy tales, both the main protagonists and the antagonists are either stereotypically good or bad and even if a person changes for either the positive or the negative at the end, he or she still remains stereotypical (and this also has so far been my impression with regard to Esperanza Rising, that like a Cinderella type of fairy tale, everything and everyone seems to be rather cardboard and not all that nuanced, with either villains or heroes, with either positive or negative individuals). Hoping that will change, but from the comments above, will also not be holding my breath all that much.

Esperanza Rising

(view spoiler)[Now while I have indeed enjoyed the historic information and detailed descriptions of both Esperanza's first (her original) life in Mexico (as a member of the ruling, of the powerful classes, as a rich and yes rather spoiled and cherished daughter of a prominent and socially, financially connected gentleman fruit rancher used to generally getting her own way and having servants at her beck and call) and later (after her father's tragic death and Esperanza and her mother's quite sudden fall from riches to rags), Esperanza's immigration with her mother (along with her mother's housekeeper and family) to the United States of America and her life (Esperanza's often considerably more difficult and painful existence) as a migrant farm labourer, I cannot really say that I have found Pam Muñoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising all that personally and emotionally satisfying and pleasurable a reading experience.

For one, there is not nearly enough character development presented even with regard to the main characters, even for Esperanza, her mother and indeed their former housekeeper Hortensia and in particular her son (and Esperanza's probable love interest) Miguel, and for two, in many ways Esperanza Rising presents a too obviously and stereotypically fairytale like division of good versus evil (with especially Esperanza's Mexican paternal uncles reminding me rather over-strongly of classic cardboard like villains). And yes, while this latter might work and even be rather expected in a fairy tale, in traditional folklore, in Esperanza Rising (which is after all supposed to be a novel of historic fiction and is also according to the author's note at the back loosely based on Pam Muñoz Ryan's own family history) the fact that so often things are either black or while, that while Esperanza's attitudes do somewhat change on the surface by the end of the novel, she still does not really ever internally develop and change all that much or rather not enough for me, this has definitely made me enjoy Esperanza Rising not nearly as much as I had fondly hoped (for while I did and do appreciate much of the historical information etc. I have been presented with, the lack of character development in Esperanza Rising and the sometimes rather liberal use of either/or folklore like stereotyping really does rather rub me the wrong proverbial way). Two and a half stars, but rounded up to three stars, as Esperanza Rising is not in any manner majorly problematic or inappropriate, just not narrationally developed enough for my personal reading requirements and tastes! (hide spoiler)]

I made it just under the wire for February! I enjoyed the story. I thought Esperanza's journey was interesting and liked the context of the Great Depression seen from a different point-of-view. I thought Esperanza's character went through a lot of development, but I agree that some of the other characters were neglected. But that didn't bother me as the story was told from Esperanza's POV and it would obviously focus on her more. She was only 13 and this immature mindset would lead to others being seen as villains or angels. I also enjoyed the circular nature employed in the tale. Esperanza teaches lessons at the end that she learns at the beginning from Abuelita. She loses and finds her ability to "hear" the earth. That was lovely. And the decision to tell time by the fruits being harvested was great and very true to the life of a farm worker.

I know it's late but I just finished this book. I loved seeing her from a bratty getting what she wants the girl to be a girl who has to work hard to keep her family together and to get money. She was confused at first but now she knows that things got real. I didn't like how the ending was all of a sudden happy I think that it felt strange in a book but otherwise it was good.

Jaylyn wrote: "I know its late but I just finished this book. I loved seeing her from a bratty get what you want the girl to be a girl who has to work hard to keep her family together and to get money. She was co..."

Never too late! We keep these posts up front for 6 months, and even when archived you can always comment :)

I started this in Feburary and I finally finished it yesterday. I personally enjoyed it. My favorite part of it was how even though it took place almost a hundred years ago it made this important part of history very accessible and interesting for kids to read. I would definitely recommend it.