Summary of Esperanza Rising (Scholastic Gold)

Esperanza Rising is a Scholastic Gold book about Esperanza Ortega, a Mexican girl whose life is changed drastically when her father is killed. After the tragedy, Esperanza and her mother must flee their wealthy lifestyle in Mexico and immigrate to California to start life anew. Throughout her journey, Esperanza endures many hardships and must learn to find strength, courage, and hope in spite of the many injustices she faces. The book follows Esperanza as she matures and learns to embrace her heritage in the face of discrimination and suffering. Finally, Esperanza finds joy and security in the embrace of her family and community. Esperanza Rising is an inspiring story about the power of family, the courage of young people, and the strength to persevere, even in the face of adversity.