Esperanza Rising

were already talking about preparing for potatoes. The camp routine repeated itself like the regi- mented rows in the fields. Ve ...

“Irene and Melina are coming over after dinner to crochet,” said Esperanza. She thought that would cheer Mama. “You sit with the ...

“He has come to the camp before and people trust him,” said Irene. “And there are not many doctors who will come out here.” Alfo ...

time, the body can overcome the infection. Some people will have no symptoms at all. Some will feel like they have the flu for a ...

The doctor’s face looked tired. He ran his hand through his short blond hair. “There are some medicines she can take, but even t ...

LAS PAPASPOTATOES E speranza almost never left Mama’s side. She sponged her with cool water and fed her tea- spoons of broth thr ...

One morning, Mama said weakly, “Esper- anza...” Esperanza ran to her and took her hand. “Abuelita’s blanket...” she whispered. E ...

They both needed her. But what was Esperanza to do? She picked up Mama’s limp hand and kissed it. Then she handed the strip of z ...

and when her hair fell into her lap, she picked it up and wove it into the blanket. She cried when she thought of the wishes tha ...

The fields frosted over and Mama began to have trouble breathing. The doctor came again, with worse news. “She should be in the ...

made from the truck’s headlamps, feeling as if she were in a trance. “Hortensia, what did the doctor mean when he said that Mama ...

But maybe we can find someone going to Aguas- calientes who can carry a letter.” “I have to do something,” said Esperanza, hold- ...

come home from the fields. She paced in the area where the trucks unloaded, and wrapped the wool tighter against the early winte ...

He was quiet and Esperanza could tell he was thinking. “But what could you do? And who would take care of the babies?” “I could ...

She nodded. “Can you tell me one more thing, Miguel?” “Claro.Certainly.” “What are potato eyes?” < Esperanza huddled with Jos ...

ahead, the truck rumbled slowly on the dirt roads. They passed miles of naked grapevines, stripped oftheir harvest and bereft of ...

With all the clothing they were wearing, he barely looked at their faces. Josefina had told Esperanza that if she was a good wor ...

“To the fields. They plant the eye pieces and then the potatoes grow.” Esperanza picked up a knife. Now she knew where potatoes ...

have their papers with them, the immigration of- ficials send them back to Mexico. We have heard that they have sent people whos ...

cannot stay with us. We can’t risk being asked to leave the camp or losing our jobs because of our niece.” Heads nodded in sympa ...