Tanesa-Jane

= = Tanesa, I had sent week 3 via email but am adding it here also to go with your week 3, plus my week 4.

Adult: Jane Brackett Student: Tanesa Boldrey Book Title: Esperanza Rising Pages Read: 81-144
 * Week 3 **

Esperanza makes it safely to the United States and she is surprised at how much differently things are now. Her daddy was killed, they lost all their money, have fled to a strange land, and are now “the poor”, working hard and living in conditions much worse than she ever had before. While Miguel’s cousin Isabel goes to school, Esperanza takes care of the babies. She really grows as a person, from being the child to becoming the caretaker.

The character reminds me of someone I know. This person showed up with everything she owned packed in the car. She didn’t even have a high school diploma but through hard work, she excelled and moved up in her company and was quite successful.

Esperanza has a kindness that I admire.

Yes, I would like to be friends with her. She seems to be a kind, caring person.

Partner chat: I still think she and Miguel will become boyfriend – girlfriend. I think Esperanza will continue to know hard times but will succeed in the end.

Jane Brackett = = = Week 3 Adult: Jane Brakett = Student: Tanesa Boldrey Book Title: Esperanza Rising Pages Read: 81-144

Esperanza and her Mama are getting closer to the United States. They met a lady that sells chickens for a living. She was so sweet and mom just acted as if she was always poor like, but she for a fact didn’t act rich. It bothered Esperanza that, that is how her Mama was acting. But Mama told Esperanza that she was one of them now. When they go to the United States they all met Alfonso, Hortensia, and Miguel’s family. They would all sleep in different cabins though. And Esperanza would have to do everything on her own she didn’t have servants anymore. Esperanza learned how to baby-sit and clean cloths. She wasn’t used to it at first because she never did anything before she always had someone doing it for her. She doesn’t really remind me of myself at, I usually do what I need done on my own.

Esperanza has a great personality. And I would like to be more like her. She can keep her patience, which I would like to do. There is a day I can then there is a day I can’t.

I would love to be friends with Esperanza; she is taking on a lot with everything going on. She went from being princess to poor all in one day. And she lost her dad, there is so much her and I have in common. I think she would be one in a million and wouldn’t leave you when you need her the most.

I agree with you, I think Miguel and her with start dating. But on the other hand I’m not sure, cause she told him at the beginning of the book that they live on different sides of the river which meant that they couldn’t date because of the rich and the poor. But now they are the same in so many ways… I feel the same way you do about the end, it all has to end well and get better for her.
 * Partner chat: **

Adult: Jane Brackett Student: Tanesa Boldrey Book Title: Esperanza Rising Pages Read: 145-262
 * Week 4**

Esperanza's mother came down with Valley Fever after breathing in some dust from a dust storm. She stayed at home for a while but then had to be hospitalized. The doctor didn't know if she would recover from it or not. With Mama not working, Esperanza had no money coming in and decided she needed to find a job. Since it was winter, there was only enough work in the fields for the men and Esperanza wasn't old enough to work in the sheds, but if she proved to be a good worker, the bosses would not care that she was too young. She got a job in the sheds cutting potato eyes, did good at that, and later was hired to tie up grapevines in the fields. She saved as much as she could each week so she could buy money orders to save for using to get her grandmother to the United States with them. Esperanza and Miguel had an argument and the next day, he was gone. Mama finally got released from the hospital after five months. Esperanza was so happy to have her home. She told Mama about the money orders she had saved up but when she went to get them to show her, they were gone. She thought Miguel had to be the one that took them. One day at work, Alfonso and Hortensia picked her up at work to leave early because they had received a message from Miguel. He said he was coming in on the bus from Los Angeles and to bring Esperanza with them. When he arrived, Esperanza was very surprised to see that he had gone back to Mexico and brought Abuelita, Esperanza's grandmother, with him.

Did you enjoy the book? Why or why not? I hate questions like this because I either like a book because it interests me orI don't like it because it's boring or too scary. Yes, I liked this book because it was interesting.

Who else should read this book? Why? I think anyone in grades 6-10 would enjoy this book, probably girls more than boys, Why? Because I think they would enjoy it.

How does the main character change in the story? Esperanza goes from being a rich girl with everything, including both parents, to having no money, a shack for a house, her father dead, and her mother very sick. She does a lot of growing up in this book.

What lesson about life do you think the author was trying to express? Not to be afraid of starting over, and hard work pays off.

What questions would you like answered after reading this book? I would like to know how Mama makes it, if she stays relatively healthy, and if Miguel and Esperanza end up together.

How would you change the ending of the book? I wouldn't.


 * Partner Chat**

Tanesa, can you believe this school year is almost over? It seems to have flown by. Are you excited about graduation? Are you nervous about going to high school? Have you heard all the horror stories about being put on the water fountain and others like that? Don't worry - it's really not that much different than junior high. Can't wait to meet you Tuesday. It should be fun. Did Mrs. Shull tell you that I talk a lot? Be prepared...you'll probably be wishing I'd shut up! lol I have really enjoyed this and will see you soon!

Jane Brackett