Hello readers!
The identity novel is a really important part of YA literature, as it explores growth and issues that many teens are dealing with in some form or another. For my selection, I chose Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. Her website is found here and is full of all kinds of interesting things, including resources and discussion guides for her books.
The basis of Esperanza Rising is starting over from the ground up. Esperanza starts the story as a wealthy girl in Mexico during the 1920s. Her father is killed and she and her mother make an escape to California, where they work as laborers in the fields. At first, Esperanza is upset. The life in California is different than anything she's ever known and she hates it. But as the story continues, she starts to grow and come into her own, proving that even if you lose everything, you can still find yourself.
In our group discussion, we all latched onto the themes found in the story. There is smoke and fire (from Esperanza's home being burned), crochet and family (her grandmother teaches her to crochet and it becomes a lifeline while Esperanza is in California), and the fact that you can always recreate yourself. The biggest key we found to the story is the idea of cycles and circles. The book is structured after the agricultural growing season, and by the end, it has come a full season, much like Esperanza's life.
Esperanza Rising is a great book for upper elementary and middle school students, although I think everyone can gain something from it. I highly recommend it.
~Meaghan
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