YA Fanatic

Pam Munoz Ryan is a powerful writer. That's one thing I've learned after just listening to Echo and now reading Esperanza Riding. She really know's how to write characters and make you feel for them. 

Esperanza has grown up in Mexico and has loved it. But when tragedy hits her family hard her family is forced to travel to California in America to find work. But the conditions are terrible and she fears for her families safety. But she knows she must learn to work and help her family earn money to live. She must overcome the hatred of the people around her and find hope in living in a new country. 

I only read this for my children's literature class as its a little out of my norm for what I generally read. And I think that's why I loved it so much. Its a rather simple children's book but has so much heart. 

Its easy to see why it won an award and why its generally recommended for schools and parents.