From: Terrie Dorio <terrie-dorio>
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 15:36:40 -0800

Megan wrote:

"One aspect that I found particularly important in Esperanza was its exploration of labor issues both as they pertain to all exploited workers during the Depression, and also to the specfic traumas faced by Mexican and Mexican American workers, who worked under constant fear of deportation, even if U.S. citizens! I could understand Esperanza's struggle and resistance to getting involved with the worker's movement so vividly did the author make me realize that fear."

This is one of the highlights of Esperanza Rising for me. I appreciated the even-handed way Pam Munoz Ryan handled the idea of the labor strike so that young readers could understand why some workers would choose not to participate in a strike because of their fear or concern for their families' futures. And, why others had to do something, even with that fear always there.


Terrie Dorio Santa Monica Public Library Terrie-Dorio at santa-monica.org
Received on Fri 22 Feb 2002 05:36:40 PM CST