Esperanza Rising Las Cebollas

​Esperanza Rising: Las Cebollas

By LEANDRA GARDNER

​camp: a place with temporary accommodations of huts, tents, or other structures, typically used by soldiers, refugees, prisoners, or travelers.

cabin(s): .

a small shelter or house, made of wood and situated in a wild or remote area

platform: a raised level surface on which people or things can stand

Drag and Drop

"We're here," said Isabel, as the truck stopped in the ​

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The camp was a group of small houses called ​

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Esperanza's next job was to sweep the ​

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Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

camp

cabins

platform

​“We’re here,” said Isabel as the truck stopped in the camp. The camp was a group of small houses called cabins. The cabins were white. They were all stuck together in long lines. Each cabin had one small window and two wooden steps going up to the door. “This is your new home, Esperanza,” said Isabel.

​These cabins are smaller than our servants’ houses, thought Esperanza. Marta jumped out of the truck. She ran to talk with some girls. Esperanza could hear them speaking in English. She could not understand. Juan and Alfonso got out of the truck. Hortensia and Josefina picked up the babies, Lupe and Pepe. Isabel ran into a cabin. Mama and Esperanza went inside, too. “Mama, is this our cabin?” Esperanza asked. “There are only two rooms!”

Open Ended

How do you think Esperanza feels about their new home?

Open Ended

If each cabin has only two rooms, what do you think the two rooms are?

​“Esperanza,” said Mama, “This cabin is for you and me, and Alfonso, Hortensia, and Isabel!” Mama sat down and opened her bag. She began to sing. Esperanza was angry. Why was Mama happy? “But Mama, there is no room for everyone! We are living like horses here! How can you be happy?”

Audio Response

Why is Esperanza angry?

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​“Esperanza, sit down,” said Mama. Mama was not smiling. Esperanza sat down on the bed. “In Mexico, I had one choice,” said Mama. “I could marry Tio Luis and send you far away. Here in California, I am with you. Now, I have two choices. I can be happy or be sad. I choose to be happy.”

Draw

Highlight the two choices Mama has in California.

​Esperanza felt sorry for being angry. “What do you choose, Esperanza? To be happy or be sad?” Esperanza knew what Mama wanted her to choose. “Happy,” she said quietly. Mama kissed her on her hair. “We are lucky, Esperanza,” she said. “We are together.”

Audio Response

Mama says they are lucky to be together. Do you agree that they are lucky? Why?

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​“You are tired, Esperanza,” said Mama. “Lie down and go to sleep.” Mama left the room. Esperanza lay down on the bed. The bed was old and dusty. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep. “Choose to be happy,” she said. “How can I be happy when I have such a hard life?”

​Esperanza woke up on the dusty bed that she shared with Mama. She was in the back room of the cabin. Isabel was sleeping in another bed in the same room. Mama was already up. Esperanza could smell coffee and chorizo. She went into the front room where Hortensia and Mama were cooking breakfast. The front room had a sink, a stove, a table, and a bed for Alfonso and Hortensia. Miguel had a bed in the next cabin with Juan’s family.

Multiple Select

Which picture(s) show what they had for breakfast?

Draw

Map the cabin and label the beds.

​“Good morning!” said Mama. “Come and eat. We are going to work hard today. I am going to put grapes in boxes all day.” “What will I do?” said Esperanza. “You are not old enough to work with me,” said Mama. “You will stay here and watch the twin babies, Lupe and Pepe. Isabel will help you.” “But I want to work with you, Mama!” said Esperanza. “Mija, my daughter, if you watch the babies, then their mother Josefina can work. That will bring in more money.”

Audio Response

Why does Esperanza have to stay at the cabin while Mama works?

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​Mama, Hortensia, and Josefina left for work. Esperanza and Isabel picked up the babies. “I will show you how to change the diapers,” said Isabel. “Now you can wash them.” Esperanza took the dirty diapers and went outside. She put them in a pan of soapy water. Then she took them out. They were still dirty. “Esperanza! Have you never washed any clothes?” Isabel said. “No,” said Esperanza, turning red. “You must learn to do the laundry,” said Isabel. “Next week when I go to school, you will be alone.”

​Esperanza’s next job was to sweep the platform. The platform was a large wooden floor in the middle of camp. All the workers used it for meetings and dances. Esperanza picked up the broom and tried to sweep onion peels. Marta walked by with her friends.

“Ha! Look! It’s the princess trying to sweep!” All the girls laughed. Esperanza dropped the broom and ran into the cabin.

“I don’t know how to do any work!” she cried.

Miguel came into the room. “Do not feel bad, Anza,” he said. “I will show you how.”

Esperanza watched Miguel sweep. Then she took the broom and tried again.

“That’s better,” said Miguel. “Keep trying and you will learn how to work.”

“Thank you, Miguel,” said Esperanza.

Audio Response

What does Marta do?

What does Miguel do?

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