Esperanza Rising: Las Uvas last chapter

​Esperanza Rising: Grapes

By LEANDRA GARDNER

Multiple Choice

Which picture shows the title of this chapter?

Audio Response

At the end of the last chapter, Esperanza realized that the money she was saving to pay for Abuelita to come to the United States is missing.

What do you think will happen next? Make a prediction.

Open Audio Recorder

​
Soon the whole family heard the news that Esperanza’s money was gone. “I didn’t know you were saving money,” said Josefina. “Did anyone else know?” “Miguel was the only person who knew I had money,” said Esperanza.
Nobody wanted to believe that Miguel would steal money. But it was the only answer that made sense. Alfonso promised that he would pay back the money that his son stole. Esperanza was angry with Miguel. How dare he go into her suitcase and take something that was not his? She had earned that money with her hard work.

​A few weeks later, it was a hot day and Mama was resting at home. She was not strong enough to work yet. Esperanza was working with Josefina and Hortensia to put peaches in boxes. Then Esperanza saw Alfonso walking toward them. Why was he not working?

Multiple Choice

What crop are they now working with to make money?

​“I just got a letter from Miguel,” said Alfonso. “In the letter he says we need to meet him at the bus station today at 3 o’clock. He said to bring Esperanza. He did not say why.” “I hope it is because he will apologize for stealing the money,” said Hortensia. They all got into the truck to drive to the bus station and wait for Miguel’s bus.

​A big silver bus stopped and the doors opened. People got out. Then Esperanza saw Miguel standing in the doorway of the bus. He looked tired from a long trip. But when he saw his parents, he ran to hug them. Miguel smiled at Esperanza. “Remember I told you things will get better? I have something to show you.” Esperanza tried to be angry, but she was glad that he was back safe.
​“Did you bring back what you have stolen?” she said.

Multiple Choice

How is Esperanza feeling as she sees Miguel?

Audio Response

What do you think Miguel has brought with him, since he no longer has Esperanza's money?

Make a prediction.

Open Audio Recorder

“No, but I brought you something better,” Miguel said. Then he turned to help a small older woman get off the bus.
For a second, Esperanza saw a ghost of Abuelita, with one arm reaching out to her and the other arm holding a cane.
”Esperanza,” said the ghost. It was not a ghost. It was Abuelita! Esperanza couldn’t speak. She hugged Abuelita and cried.

Drag and Drop

Esperanza thought ​

Placeholder

stole her ​

Placeholder

, but he used it to bring back ​

Placeholder

.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Miguel

money

Abuelita

​On the way home, Miguel talked about the journey to Aguascalientes to get Abuelita. “I had to get Abuelita at night,” he said. “Tio Luis and Tio Marco were watching her.” At the camp, it was time to surprise Mama. She was sleeping on a chair by the garden with Papa’s roses. Abuelita touched her hand.

Draw

Highlight the names of the people who were watching Abuelita.

​“Ramona,” she said. Mama opened her eyes and saw Abuelita. Her eyes got wide. Abuelita smiled. “Yes, it is me. I have come.”
They hugged and cried. That night, Abuelita and Esperanza finished the crochet blanket. It was huge now.
“Do you remember what I said, Esperanza?” said Abuelita. “You will feel high and low many times before I see you again. Now we are together again.”

​“It has been almost a year since we left Mexico,” said Esperanza. “I feel so much older.”
“Which means a special day is coming soon!” said Miguel.

Audio Response

What special day is coming soon?

Open Audio Recorder

​A few days before her birthday, Esperanza woke up Miguel in the early morning. They walked to the top of a hill to watch the sun rise. The small light of the sun was like the small amount of hope that Esperanza now felt in her life.

​She remembered a day long ago when she was only six, when Papa taught her how to hear the earth’s heartbeat. She lay down on the ground.
“Come, Miguel, and listen to the earth,” she said. “Papa taught me how.” Miguel lay down next to her and tried to listen. “Will I hear it soon?” he asked. “Aguantate tantito y la fruta caerá en tu mano. Wait a little while and the fruit will fall into your hand,” said Esperanza. “Just like Papa used to say.”

​They lay down on the grass. Esperanza closed her eyes and thought of the future. In the future, she saw herself going to school and learning English. She saw herself working for enough money to buy a house someday. She saw a young woman and a young man sitting together on the same side of a river. Esperanza reached over for Miguel’s hand and they both listened to the earth.

Draw

Highlight 1-3 things that Esperanza wants for her future.

​On her birthday, Esperanza woke up to the voices of Miguel, Alfonso and Juan. They were singing Las Mananitas.
Esperanza blew kisses and everyone sat down together for a birthday breakfast. “This is not like your birthdays in Mexico,” said Mama. “We do not have a big house or fancy dresses or presents. But we have Abuelita and a wonderful new family.”

Multiple Choice

Who is part of their 'new' family?

• Juan and Josefina

• Alfonso, Hortensia, and Miguel

• Isabel

• Lupe and Pepe

• All of the above

​After breakfast, Abuelita said “Look, Isabel. I will teach you how to crochet.” Isabel tried to copy Abuelita. “Esperanza!” she said. “I tried, but I got it all wrong!”
Esperanza smiled at Isabel. Esperanza remembered a year ago in Mexico when she said the same thing to Abuelita. Now it was her turn to teach Isabel what she learned.
She reached over and took apart the crocheting that Isabel had made. “You can try again,” said Esperanza. “Do not ever be afraid to start over.”

Audio Response

How has Esperanza learned to start over in the past year? Explain.

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Audio Response

Would you recommend this story to a friend? Why?

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