Esperanza Rising

   Esperanza Rising is a novel by Pam Munoz Ryan.  Esperanza is a girl who lives in Mexico. She is 12-years old and is about to turn 13 when her Papa dies. They are devastated, but even more devastated when Tio Luis already wants to marry Mama for money and famousness. A short while later, after Mama refuses to marry, their house burns down. Mama, after tricking Tio Luis and gaining a wagon, with Esperanza, Hortansia, Miguel, and Alfonso, but they have to leave Abulita because of a leg injury, who promises to come later.. They get onto a train to San Diego, California, to go live with Alfonso's relatives.  They are forced to work on a farm, and Esperanza meets a girl, who is Alfonso's niece, names Isabel.  At first, Esperanza doesn't know what to do, but with the help of Isabel and Miguel, she learns how to sweep, wash clothes, change a diaper, and take care of a baby. A week later, Isabel has to go to school, leaving Esperanza in charge of Pepe and Lupe, who are babies.. She accidently feed them raw plums, which makes them sick, but she feeds them rice water and they feel better. Later a massive dust storm breaks out, and while Mama is out in the shed with barely any protection, Esperanza is at home with Isabel and Iriane.  Mama returns home with a sickness which is later found out as valley fever, which you get from dust spores in your lungs. When Mama has to leave to go to a county hospital, Esperanza is devastated. She decides to take over Mama's job in the shed to earn money to get to California. While she is doing that, the strikes are making their move which includes snakes and glass in the asparagus. In the end, Mama is finally released from the hospital, but is weak still. In the end, Miguel comes with a surprise, Abulita! Mama is so happy.  A few days before Esperanza turns 14, she takes Miguel to feel the "

grounds heartbeat."