Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

“We are like the phoenix,” said Abuelita. “Rising again, with a new life ahead of us.”

My four kids and I loved this book. Ryan has created a beautiful story using her ancestors and history as her guides. A coming of age story about a Mexican girl who learns and grows through tragedy, injustice, love, family, and work. As readers, we cried and laughed.

My great grandparents owned a farm in California during the Great Depression and Ryan’s novel reminded me of their stories and their landscape. Esperanza’s story is tragically unique and deeply relatable.