Alice B. reviewed on 1/27/2012 + 3591 more book reviews

This is a true story. Esperanza is the authors grandmother. About 1930 in Mexico, Esperanza is the only child of a rich ranch owner and his wife. Her father is murdered by bandits. Mexican law says that only men can own property.So her fathers two evil stepbrothers inherit the ranch. Esperanza and her mom inherit the house and vineyards.One of the evil stepbrothers wants to marry mom, and send Esperanza to boarding school. Mom says no, so her house and the vineyards are burnt down. Mom agrees to marry the evil stepbrother. However, she and Esperanza and some of the servants head fast for the United States. All of them end up working on a migrant farm, in California's Central Valley. Mom becomes ill and has to go to the hospital. Esperanza who has never worked in her life and must work hard to have a better life for her kids. One of my friends who migrated here to The United States from Mexico, says that the struggle for citizenship is all too real. A riveting book. Great read.

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