Esperanza Rising: Las Ciruelas

​Esperanza Rising: Plums

By LEANDRA GARDNER

Multiple Choice

Which picture shows the name of this chapter?

Dust (noun): a powder made of pieces of earth or sand

Breathe (verb): to move air into and out of your lungs

Coughing (verb): to force air through your throat with a short, loud noise often because you are sick

Shed (noun): a small building that is used for storing things

Dropdown

"A ​

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storm is coming!"

"They must be in the ​

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. I hope they find a safe place."

"Alfonso and Miguel are outside in the fields. Can they ​

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?"

Esperanza was worried because Mama would not stop ​

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.

​It was Monday. Isabel was going to school and Esperanza was staying home. “I am afraid to watch Lupe and Pepe all by myself,” said Esperanza. “You can do it,” said Isabel. “Be brave, Esperanza. I will be back tonight.” It was hard to feed the babies, change diapers, cook lunch, put them to sleep, and do laundry all in one day. Esperanza burned the beans and forgot to wash the dishes. But when Isabel came home, she was proud of Esperanza’s hard work.

Multiple Choice

Which picture shows where Isabel went?

Draw

Highlight what Esperanza's responsibilities were.

Audio Response

What happened to the beans Esperanza cooked?

Open Audio Recorder

​The next day, Esperanza was watching the babies outside. It was too hot to be in the cabin. A woman walked up to her, her hair blowing in the hot wind. “Hello,” said the woman. “My name is Melina. This is my baby daughter.”
“I am Esperanza,” said Esperanza. “I take care of Josefina’s babies.”
Melina nodded. “Did you hear the news? Other camps are having a strike. We are not. We don’t want to lose our jobs.”
Suddenly, behind Melina, Esperanza saw a big, brown cloud that touched the ground.

​“What is that?” she screamed. The hot wind blew louder. “Dios mio!” screamed Melina. “A dust storm is coming! Quick! Get the babies inside!” Inside Alfonso’s cabin, they listened to the wind throwing dirt at the windows. “What will happen to my Mama and Hortensia and Josefina?” said Esperanza. “They must be in the sheds. The dust will get in. I hope they find a safe place,” said Melina.

Audio Response

Why is Esperanza worried about Mama, Josefina, and Hortensia?

Open Audio Recorder

​“Alfonso and Miguel are in the fields. Can they breathe?” said Esperanza. “I don’t know,” said Melina. “The only thing we can do is wait here, and be brave.” After an hour, the dust storm stopped. It took Mama and the others a long time to get back from the grape shed. It took the men even longer to come from the fields. Everyone was covered in dry dirt. They looked like they were made of sand. Esperanza was worried because Mama would not stop coughing.

Draw

Highlight how long the dust storm lasted.

(HINT: look for a time word.)

​“What happened with the strike?” asked Esperanza.
“The dust storm stopped the strike.” said Alfonso. “Still, many workers have no work. The dust storm killed the cotton plants.”
“We are lucky,” said Miguel. “The grapes are still alive. We still have work tomorrow.”

Multiple Choice

The strike ended because of the dust storm.

The dust storm also killed what kind of crops?

​Mama did not sleep much that night. She was coughing too much. The next day, she had a headache and she would not eat. A doctor came to look at Mama. “She has Valley Fever,” he said. “Some people get sick like this when they breathe in dust. It is an infection.”
“How bad is it?” asked Hortensia.
“She cannot work for a long time,” said the doctor. “It might take six months for her to get better.”

Multiple Choice

Which picture shows the infection Mama has?

​“Six months?” said Esperanza. “But she will not die, right?”
“I am sorry,” said the doctor. “I don’t know. But I will give you medicine. You must take care of her.” Alfonso put his hands on Esperanza’s shoulders. Esperanza felt lost. She had no Papa. Abuelita was too far away. She could not lose Mama too!
“Be brave, Esperanza,” said Alfonso. “We will all help.”

Audio Response

Make a prediction about what will happen next in the story.

Open Audio Recorder