Along with its Best Books citation, Publishers Weekly gave Esperanza Rising a starred review, citing its "lyrical, fairy-tale-like style". It praised the way "Ryan poetically conveys Esperanza's ties to the land by crafting her story to the rhythms of the seasons" and the fact that "Ryan fluidly juxtaposes world events... with one family's will to survive".[2] Kirkus Reviews disliked the "epic tone, characters that develop little and predictably, and... romantic patina". However, it also found that the "style is engaging, her characters appealing", ultimately saying that the story "bears telling to a wider audience".[3]
Children's Literature praised Esperanza Rising and suggested that it "would be a great choice for a multicultural collection".[4] Esperanza Rising coincides with other works of its kind to portraying themes of the United States' simultaneous discrimination against and economic reliance on immigrants.[5] According to literary scholar Dr. Rachelle Kuehl, historical fiction like Esparanza Rising serves to connect readers with the past and present, facilitating a co-construction of current and historical Mexican-American experiences.[6] She notes that the novel allows students to confront the realities of discrimination due to skin tone and immigration status,[7] and she praises the book for its cultural authenticity.[8]
The book has been incorporated into school curriculum in literature, social studies, and Spanish.[9] When the book was used with English as a Second Language students in an Earphone English group at Berkeley High School, they found that Esperanza Rising doesn't just appeal to students who, like Esperanza, have emigrated from Mexico, but "also to those who have moved here after losing their fathers to violence in the former Yugoslavia".[10]
Awards
- The 2001 Jane Addams Children's Book Award
- The 2001 WILLA Literary Award for Children's/Young Adult Fiction
- The 2001 Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature
- The 2001 Judy Goddard/Libraries Ltd. Young Adult Book Award
- The 2002 Pura Belpré Award
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