Esperanza Rising: Las Almendras

​Esperanza Rising: Las Almendras

By LEANDRA GARDNER

Strike

​That night, everyone came home tired from working. They had dinner in one cabin. Esperanza was learning how to cook. She helped cook beans, tortillas, and rice with onions and peppers. After dinner, Alfonso said to Mama, “Señora, Miguel and I have a surprise for you.” “A surprise?” said Mama. “For you and Esperanza,” said Miguel. “Come outside.” At the back of the cabin, Esperanza saw the surprise. It was a new rose garden!

Audio Response

What did Esperanza help cook for dinner?

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​“Where did the roses come from?” she asked Miguel. “From your Papa’s garden,” said Miguel. “Some of the roses were still alive. My papa and I put them in our bags. Then we planted them here.” “Muchas gracias, thank you,” said Mama to Alfonso and Miguel. “See, Esperanza? I told you that Papa’s heart would find us, wherever we go.”

Draw

Draw a picture of the surprise Miguel and Alfonso had for Esperanza and Mama.

​The next day was Saturday. Nobody was going to work today. “Tonight we will have a fiesta with the other workers,” said Hortensia. “There will be music and dancing. We must all take baths and wash our hair.” Esperanza was still dirty from her journey to America. She stood next to the tub of water and put her arms up. Hortensia always helped her take off her clothes. “What are you doing?” asked Isabel. Esperanza turned red. She remembered when Marta said, “No one will be your servant here.” She put her arms down. She was glad Marta was not here to laugh at her.

Draw

Highlight why Esperanza is embarrassed.

​After their bath, Isabel’s mother, Josefina, said “Esperanza and Isabel, will you help me? I will make flan de almendra for the fiesta. You can take the shells off of the almonds.”


That night at the fiesta, the wooden platform was lit up for dancing. Women were selling food on tables covered with bright tablecloths. Other tables were set up for bingo. Many Mexican people came from other camps to be at the fiesta. Some of them played music.

Multiple Select

How are they celebrating the fiesta?

Select all answers that apply.

​Esperanza saw Marta. She was standing in a truck. A crowd of people was watching her. Marta shouted, “The owners of these farms give us homes that are too small. They only give us a little money. It is not fair. They should give us a better life for our hard work!”

“What can we do?” said a man. “We are poor. We have no power.”

“We can strike!” said Marta. “We can all stop working. The owners need us. We can tell them to give us better homes and more money. Then we can agree to work again."

Draw

Highlight the three steps to a strike.

​“Listen!” Marta said. “If the strike is going to work, we must all stop working. Then the owners will give us better homes and more money.” “What if they don’t?” said Alfonso. “What if the owners just take away our jobs? They can get American workers. Then we will have to go back to Mexico!”

Audio Response

What will happen if the strike does not work?

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​Marta did not listen. “I have to travel to different camps with only tents and no toilets. We do not get enough money. You must help us by going on strike with us!”

Alfonso said, “I do not want to lose my job!” He chased Marta and her friends away.

That night, Mama lay down next to Esperanza on the bed they shared.

“Tomorrow is Sunday,” said Mama. “We will go to church.”

“I will light a candle for Papa,” said Esperanza. “I will pray for Abuelita to get well.  And that I can learn to work better.”

“I am proud of you,” said Mama, kissing Esperanza.  “Buenas noches, good night.”

Audio Response

What will Esperanza do at church?

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