I knew very little about Mexican American history, and even less about Mexican history, before reading Pam Muñoz Ryan’s amazing middle grade historical fiction novel ESPERANZA RISING (Scholastic Gold selection). Through Esperanza’s eyes, I now have a glimpse of what it might have been like to be a wealthy young girl growing up on her parents’ vineyard in Mexico, only to be uprooted by tragedy and forced to immigrate to the US and work in a Mexican farm labor camp. Set during the Great Depression, the story explores the assumptions and prejudices of the main character as well as the wider culture. I loved Muñoz Ryan’s poetic motifs throughout the book. And it’s especially poignant that the story is inspired by her grandmother’s life experience.
Whenever a book resonates with me, I look up the author for any writing advice. Pam Muñoz Ryan did not disappoint. I often think of her process, which is rewriting manuscripts around 30 times! Whenever I’m flagging, I think,”Remember, Pam!” I also remember the comforting words she tells her writing students – it [the manuscript] is something to be fixed. Whew… Thanks, Pam!