Esperanza Rising: Los Melones

​Esperanza Rising: Los Melones

By LEANDRA GARDNER

​Esperanza, Mama, Alfonso, Hortensia, and Miguel rode the train to the United States for four days and four nights. Esperanza’s neck hurt from sleeping on the benches. The next morning the train stopped. “Come Esperanza, we are almost in California!” Mama said. “California is part of the United States. We need our papers to get through the border.”

​They waited in line. Mama gave the officer their papers. He looked at the papers for a long time. Esperanza was worried. What if he sent her and Mama back to Mexico? Where would they go?

Audio Response

Why do Mama and Esperanza have to show the official their papers?

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​Finally, the officer stamped each page with the words “Mexican National.” They were free to enter the United States. “Where do we go now?” asked Esperanza. Alfonso said, “My brother Juan is waiting for us in the city of Los Angeles. We must take another train to go to Los Angeles.” “Another train?” said Esperanza. “I’m so tired of trains.”

​“Be brave, Esperanza,” said Mama. “It is a long journey to our new home. Remember what Abuelita said? You will feel high and low many times.” The next morning Alfonso, Hortensia, Miguel, Mama and Esperanza arrived at the train station in Los Angeles. Alfonso’s brother Juan was waiting for them with his old truck. Juan had his family there. Josefina was Juan’s wife. They had three children: Isabel, Lupe, and Pepe. Isabel was eight years old. Lupe and Pepe were twin babies.

Draw

Draw a picture of Juan and his family.

​Where are we going in that old truck, Mama?” asked Esperanza. “We are going to our new home,” said Mama. “It is a long way to the farm where we will work and live.” They all got into the old truck. Esperanza sat in the middle. The ride was bumpy. She felt sick and hungry. Is this what it feels like to be poor? she thought. Juan stopped at a field. “Look!” said Isabel. “The harvest is over! We can take all the cantaloupes that are left!” Esperanza wanted a real lunch. But all they could eat was cantaloupes. Juan stopped the truck so that they could pick the cantaloupes. Isabel waved at a girl who came over to the truck.

Open Ended

Why is Esperanza unhappy with her lunch?

​This is Marta,” said Isabel to Esperanza. “She is coming with us in the truck.” Marta looked like she was Miguel’s age. “Where are you from?” Marta asked Esperanza. Isabel said, “Esperanza is from a big ranch in Mexico. Her father was a rich man. She had lots of servants and beautiful dresses.” “What? A princess is coming to work on the farm?” said Marta in a mean voice. She pointed to Esperanza. “No one will be your servant here.”

Draw

Highlight what Marta said to Esperanza.

​Isabel said “Esperanza’s nice. Her ranch was burned and her father was killed.” Marta said “Well, my father was killed too. He was killed fighting the rich people in Mexico, like your father.” Esperanza was angry. “My father was a good man. He gave land to his servants.” “Maybe so,” said Marta. “But most rich people are not good people.” Esperanza watched Marta walk over to Miguel. They started to laugh and talk together. Esperanza was angry at Miguel. Why was he talking to such a mean girl? She did not like Marta at all.

Open Ended

Why does Esperanza dislike Marta?

Audio Response

Record a summary of the important events in this chapter.

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