Esperanza thought she'd always live with her family on their ranch in Mexico--she'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home, & servants.But a sudden tragedyforces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers.Esperanza isn't ready for the hard labor, financial struggles, or lack of acceptance she now faces.Whentheir new life is threatened, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances--Mama's life and her own depend on it.

Pam Munoz Ryan is the recipient of the NEA's Human and Civil Rights Award and the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award for multicultural literature. She has written more than thirty books which have garnered, among countless accolades, the Pura Belpre Medal, the Jane Addams Award, and the Schneider Family Award. Pam lives near San Diego. You can visit her at www.pammunozryan.com.