"Esperanza Rising" - Pam Munoz Ryan

A surprisingly uplifting book made more so by the fact it's based on the author's grandmother's life.

Esperanza is a rich (and at times spoiled) girl in Mexico during the 1920's. When her father dies, she and her mother immigrate to California and become farm workers; the only tangible evidence of her past life is her birthday doll. The resulting experiences of living conditions, friendships, prejudice, strikers, and the Depression all affect Esperanza into growing beyond her expectations.

(I had to ask...) "esperanza" translates to "hope" in English so the title means "[Hope] Rising" which is exactly what I felt. I was pleased to note that Esperanza was not spoiled to the point of "I can't stand this girl!" but just enough to have hope she could change. Her situation is rough but not so dire as to give up hope for making something good out of it.

I liked how each chapter was named after a crop!

Read Also:

Patty Reed's Doll: the story of the Donner Party by Rachel K. Laurgaard is another young girl's experiences losing most everything as her family travels to California. Again, the doll plays an integral role representing a more innocent time.

Lynne Reid Banks' Maura's Angel tells the story of Maura growing up during the Troubles in Ireland where Catholic and Protestant literally shoot it out. In this book, the angel takes the place of a doll.

To throw in a classic, A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett (author of The Secret Garden) follows Sarah who loses everything in a country far from her home. Her doll, Emily, is from her past life but remains with her representing hope of things getting better again.

"Following Grandfather" -Rosemary Wells

This was a sweet tale of a grandfather teaching his granddaughter about life. It gives the grandfather's background and coming to New York.

The touching part is when the grandfather dies and the granddaughter must continue on. She sees her grandfather in other old men, relives some memories, but at the end, finds the one "treasure" which gives her peace: a rare seashell he told her about.

Read Also:

House of Dolls by Francesca Lia Block is not a light read although it is a children's book. But it is a good book dealing with depression, feelings of abandonment and death.

I was very impressed with the movie "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" for how it deals with hope, faith, joy, and death. Very mature, yet very sensitive, it's sweet viewing.