Novel Study: Esperanza Rising: Discussion Guide #1

After reading the first few chapters of Pam Muñoz Ryan’s novel Esperanza Rising, engage your students in a discussion with this two-page novel study guide! This discussion guide covers chapters 1–4 of Esperanza Rising, from “Aguascalientes, Mexico, 1924” to “Los Higos (Figs)”. These chapters include the first introduction of Esperanza and her father to the final moments when Esperanza and her mother are leaving El Rancho de las Rosas. Featuring comprehension, text analysis, and personal connection questions, this worksheet will challenge readers to make inferences, cite text evidence, analyze word choice, and dive into character analysis. Click “View answer key” to see sample student responses and context. And for more resources related to Esperanza Rising, be sure to check out the full set of novel study worksheets!