Retelling: The book opened with the main character, Esperanza, eagerly anticipating her upcoming birthday. She lived on a plantation in Mexico with dresses and servants. Her childhood friend, Miguel, was the son of her Mother's servant and even though they loved one another, she knew they would never be together because of class differences. That changed when she was forced to move to the United States under the care of her former servants. Her father was killed and her uncle threatened to destroy everything if her mother did not marry him to further his political career. With hard work and determination, she grew to overcome her own prejudices, and keep her family together. She learned to find riches in friendships rather than wealth. ( )

Middle grade historical fiction based loosely on the immigration story of the grandmother of the author, Pam Muñoz Ryan.

After an unfortunate disaster in the family, well-off teenager Esperanza leaves her home in Mexico to become a migrant worker in California in the early 1930s, during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl.

Issues of worker's rights, unions, racism and classism are all discussed.
A beautiful story of perseverance and traditions is lovingly told. ( )

Independent Reading Level: 5th grade
Awards/Honors: Pura Belpre award for writing 2002 ( )

Independent Reading Level: 9-12 years old
Awards & Honors: Nebraska Golden Sower Award (Nominee — 2003)
Texas Bluebonnet Award (Nominee — 2003)
Soaring Eagle Book Award (Nominee — 2006)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2003)
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2003)
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (Nominee — 2004)
LA Times Book Prize (Finalist — Young Adult Literature — 2000)
Great Stone Face Book Award (Nominee — 2002)
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2003)
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2003)
Cardinal Cup (Noteworthy — 2001)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2002-2003)
South Dakota Children's Book Awards (Nominee — 2003)
Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2004)
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Nominee — 2005)
Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature (Medalist — 2001)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Teen — 2003)
California Young Reader Medal (Nominee — 2003)
Jane Addams Children's Book Award (Winner — 2001)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Middle School — 2003)
FOCAL Award (2008)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2003)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2003)
Azia Books Diversity Award (Listed)
Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Nominee — 2004)
Américas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature (Honorable Mention — 2000)
South Carolina Book Awards (Nominee — Junior Book Award — 2003)
Pura Belpré Award (Winner — 2002)

Independent Reading Level: Grades 3-5
Awards: Pura Belpré Award for Writing and Jane Addams Children's Book Awards for Book for Older Children