Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    Esperanza Rising, by Pam Muñoz Ryan | Book Review

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze3 Mins Read Ages 9-12 Award Winners Best Kids Stories Books with Girl Characters Novels for Kids and Teens
    Esperanza Rising | Book Review
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Book Review of Esperanza Rising
    The Children’s Book Review

    Esperanza Rising: Book Cover

    Esperanza Rising

    Written by Pam Muñoz Ryan

    Ages 9+ | 262 Pages

    Publisher: Scholastic Press (2000) | ISBN-13: 9780439120425

    What to Expect: Historical Fiction, Multi-Cultural, Refugees, The Great Depression, and Riches to Rags

    The notion of hope is truly significant, and the Spanish language captures this essence with the beautiful word Esperanza. Pam Muñoz Ryan’s literary masterpiece, Esperanza Rising, reflects this very idea, as it recounts the journey of a young girl who has to bear hardships and tribulations. Ryan draws inspiration from her abuelita’s memories, and her novel is a heartwarming tale of tragedy, danger, and significant change.

    From a luxurious Mexican ranch to a camp for Mexican farm laborers in California, Esperanza’s journey is quite remarkable—she goes from riches to rags and must adjust to her new life. Fancy dresses and servants are switched for hard work to make ends meet. Her experiences teach us valuable lessons about gratitude, kindness, and starting over. Through it all, she learns that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in the love and support of her family.

    Esperanza is the epitome of a symbol of strength and inspiration, who, despite facing adverse circumstances, remains unbroken. Ryan’s expressive writing style showcases Esperanza’s transformation, which is not only empowering but also inspirational. A historical fiction set during the Great Depression, Esperanza’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

    Esperanza Rising is a beautifully written and inspiring story, leaving readers with a sense of hope and reminding us that, no matter what hardships come our way, hope and perseverance can carry us through even the darkest of times.

    Buy the Book
    amazon
    bookshop.org
    barnes and noble

    About the Author

    Pam Muñoz Ryan is the author of the New York Times Best Seller, ECHO, a 2016 Newbery Honor Book, and winner of the Kirkus Prize. She has written over forty books for young people—picture books, early readers, and middle grade and young adult novels. She is the author recipient of the NEA’s Human and Civil Rights Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, the Willa Cather Award, the Pura Belpré medal, the PEN USA award, and many others.

    Her novels include Esperanza Rising, Riding Freedom, Becoming Naomi León, Paint the Wind, The Dreamer, and Echo. She was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from San Diego State University, and lives in north San Diego County with her family.

    Pam Munoz Ryan: Author Headshot

    What to Read Next if You Love Esperanza Rising

    • A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
    • Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai
    • The Dreamer, by Pam Muñoz Ryan
    • Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech

    Bianca Schulze reviewed Esperanza Rising . Discover more books like Esperanza Rising by reading our reviews and articles tagged with historical fiction and multi-cultural.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Seven Middle Grade Books for African American History Month
    2. One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia | Book Review
    3. The Dreamer, by Pam Muñoz Ryan | Book Review
    4. The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, by Victoria Williamson | Book Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Great Depression Hispanic Heritage Historical Fiction Middle Grade Books Multicultural Pam Munoz Ryan Refugees Scholastic Press
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleEl Deafo, by Cece Bell | Book Review
    Next Article Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen | Book Review
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • Timmy the Gifted Bunny, by Daniel Stabler | Dedicated Review
    • Squid in Pants, By Kaz Windness | Book Review
    • The Rejection Collection: Allie Millington’s Journey to Publishing ‘When You Find a Hope’
    • Armando and the Amazing Animal Race | Dedicated Review
    • Armando and the Amazing Animal Race | Awareness Tour
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.