Ready to begin reading Esperanza Rising? We've collected a few resources you may find helpful!

Las Mañanitas

Did you know that Las Mañanitas, the birthday song Esperanza dreams about at the beginning of Las Papayas, is a real song? Here's a link to a YouTube video if you want to hear the tune!

Or, if you're listening to the audiobook, the narrator will sing it to you!

Character Portraits

If you would like to show the physical changes of some of the characters, we've made a printable set of flaps to show the before and after. (We think these would be perfect for Esperanza and Mama, but you could print extra copies for other characters, as well.) Click this link to download a copy.

Yarn Crafts

Do you know how to make the blanket that Abuelita is teaching Esperanza how to crochet?

Well, we looked and looked for the exact pattern, but we haven't found it. So, if you know, let US know, and we'll link it here. In the meantime, here's a podcast you can listen to about crochet in Esperanza Rising.

Have you ever made a yarn doll like the one that Mama makes for the little girl on the train? You can probably make one just using the description in the book (p. 71 in our copy, Las Guayabas), but you might like to watch this video to see it done.

Maps

If you need a map of Mexico for your story mapping activity, here's one that we like.

And here's a map of southern California. 

Migrant Workers

Although Esperanza didn't move to California because of the Dust Bowl, most of the novel takes place in 1930, and other migrant groups are mentioned (Los Melones and other chapters). To learn more about the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, you might watch this video (be aware that it has some sensitive language in it, so we recommend an adult preview).

Here's a link to a page specifically about Esperanza Rising and the Dust Bowl. We didn't make the page, so we would recommend you preview the links for appropriateness for your audience.