Esperanza Rising

work, so you see that many people’s lives and jobs depend upon you. And I am sure you want the best for Esperanza, do you not?” ...

like a lady.” Then he turned his horse, dug his spurs into the animal, and rode away. Esperanza began to weep. She grabbed Mama’ ...

vants’ quarters next. There will be no income be- cause there are no grapes. You would have to de- pend on the charity of others ...

“But my friends and my school. We can’t just leave! And Papa, what would he think?” “What should we do, Esperanza? Do you think ...

in the convent. They can discreetly get you dupli- cates.” “No one could know about this, Señora,” said Alfonso. “We would all h ...

of the phoenix, the lovely young bird that is re- born from its own ashes?” Esperanza nodded. Abuelita had read it to her many t ...

white habits, gently lifted Abuelita into the back.They pulled a blanket under her chin and Esperanza went to her and held her h ...

“I promise. And you promise to take care of Mama for me.” Next it was Mama’s turn. Esperanza could not watch. She buried her hea ...

our finances and our future. And that trunk of clothes for the poor? Esperanza, it is for us.” < Señor Rodríguez was the only ...

the interest of the servants and Esperanza, I will marry you, in due time. But you must begin re- planting and rebuilding immedi ...

“Yes, of course,” he said, not even glancing at her. Esperanza smiled at him anyway, because she knew she would never spend a ni ...

enough moonlight so that they could see the out- lines of the twisted and charred trunks, the burnt- out vines rolling in parall ...

steps, looking back. She hated leaving, but how could she stay? With each stride, Papa’s land became smaller and smaller. She hu ...

LAS GUAYABASGUAVAS T hey emerged from the fig orchard and contin- ued through a pear grove. When they came into a clearing, they ...

Esperanza had known about the plan, but now she hesitated when she saw the small space. “Please, can I sit with Alfonso and Migu ...

Miguel, and Señor Rodríguez dumping crate after crate of guavas onto the floor above them, the almost-ripe fruit rolling and tum ...

“Do you remember,” said Hortensia, taking her hand, “when you were only five years old and we hid from the thieves? You were so ...

steal from the rich and give to the poor. But they didn’t always give to the poor and they sometimes killed innocent people.” “W ...

“Until a pin poked me and I moved my leg and made a noise.” “I was so frightened they would find us,” said Hortensia. “But Migue ...

blue silk dress and could still see Miguel standing at the station, wearing a bow tie and practically shining, as if Hortensia h ...