Munoz Ryan author study discussion

We see Esperanza learning to take on more responsibility. She is forced when Mama gets sick to go out to the fields and to work in the shed. We see her continue to grow and become more understanding of others. We even see her starting to see that the workers who are striking have true needs as well.
What changes have you seen in Esperanza during this part of the book? Do you think she will be able to get her whole family back together, Mama out of the hospital and Abuelita to them in California? Do you believe she will again feel the heartbeat of the earth like she did with Papa at the beginning of the story?

I feel for Esperanza right now because she has to work to support her family but she can still understand the needs of the picketers. I am proud of the girl that Esperanza is becoming. She has stepped up and is doing what needs to be done to take care of her family. My heart breaks for her everytime she buys a money order. I know how desperate she is to get Abuelita to California. She needs her, and Ramona desperately needs her mother, too.
I hope she can feel the heartbeat of the earth, because if she can, I think she will feel like California is home. I also hope she feels the heartbeat of the earth so she can stay connected to her papa.
At this point, I feel so sad for Esperanza. She has lost so much, and has been forced to adjust to her knew life so quickly. Her dad passed away, she has had to carry her own weight, her Abuelita is still in Mexico, her mother is in the hospital, Marta is being unkind. She has a lot on her plate for being a young girl, but she is really taking it all in stride.

My heart breaks for Esperanza. What a strong and courageous young girl. The other children make fun of her laugh at her elegant life she used to live but she continues to hold her head high. When Mama became sick she was forced to work in the fields and showed empathy for those that were striking. She did not agree with what they were doing but in the end they were all trying to do what was best for them and their families. However, I was bothered how she continued to treat Miguel after everything he did and still continues to do for her. I do think mama will eventually get out of the hospital. I cannot imagine Esperanza losing her mama and papa. I think of how Esperanza could become an orphan within a matter of a short time. My wondering is how Abuelita will be able to make it to them. How will she be strong enough to make the trip and without anyone helping her? Will she be able to get all the money that they deserve and that they have worked so hard for away from her uncles? Yes, I believe that she will feel the heartbeat of the earth again. I do not think it will happen soon- but I believe she will find peace with her new life and be grateful for her new blessings.

This is a very hard few chapters. She is stuck between her two worlds. The world of her being a princess to her new world of being a hard labor and having to actually work and have a lot of pressure put on her. Taking care of infants is a very new skill for her and she is embarrassed over and over for mistakes she makes. She is a very kind person to be able to forgive those who go out of their way to make her miserable. It almost feels like fate is behind her, since it seems nothing good comes to her. She learns so much from her new situation that she would have never learned in her past. I am hoping that her mama gets well for I feel her spirit could be broken if she doesn't.

Although Esperanza still has her moments of entitlement, she has certainly come a long way. Since her mother fell ill, she hasn't used her time to wallow in her sorrows. She stepped up and became the breadwinner for her family. She put aside her pride and went to work, not too good to do any job offered.

My heart broke for her losing her father, mother, and grandmother in under a year. I was thankful that her father treated his workers with generosity while he was alive and that those workers are now willing to be caregivers for Esperanza in the absence of family. What would she have done if it wasn't for Miguel's family?

I hope that by the end of the book her mother will be healthy and they somehow find a way to get their grandmother to the US. I also hope that she feels the heartbeat of the Earth, because that would mean that all is well again.

Esperanza is maturing both physically and mentally. She is experiencing alot emotionally with her mom being very ill and her maternal grandmother still in Mexico. She aches to see her grandmother and is so afraid that her mom won't get better. She helps take care of the babies and her mother and goes to work in place of her mom. She knows she must do good work to continue to get more work. She is fortunate to have Miguel, Isabel and Hortentia in her life and help her. They are all positive influences on her right now. She rises above and steps up to the plate remembering all that her grandmother and mom taught her. She was learning so much about life and everything in such a short amount of time. the story will progress and I am sure that the author has plans for Abuelita to return to her family. As for their home and money in Mexico...I believe that is to never again be touched. I think Abuelita will keep her money somehow, but I do not trust the uncles. I believe that Esperanza will hear the heartbeat of the Earth again, because she is beginning to become a true worker of the Earth. She will never forget the time with Papa and the heartbeat of the Earth. That was a powerful message the author was sending in the beginning.

I almost started crying during this section of the book. The feeling of desperation has set in in full. Esperanza is doing things and learning on the job. It was almost like a slap in the face when she had to do her own bath in the camp. It is hard to believe she has never given herself a bath before. On the job training with the babies... Taking over working so she can pay for her mom's doctor bills and trying to save money so she can get her Abuelita with them in hopes of it helping her mom get better. That is almost more pressure than any child should ever endure. She is lucky to have the help and support from Miguel's family. I also feel she and Miguel are getting closer. I was happy to see that Esperanza started working on the blanket that Abuelita sent with her.

Just more and more heartbreak for Esperanza. She is learning so many new things and has had to overcome being humiliated when she does not know how to do certain things. She is maturing more and more everyday and has been put into a position where she has many responsibilities. She has had to do things on her own since mama is so sick. Thank goodness she has people there that can and are willing to help her. I like the closeness of her and Miguel. I wonder what will become of the two of them? She is definitely realizing that it is up to her to help her mama and to help get her grandmother there. I am anxious to keep reading to see what ends up happening.

Esperanza has realized that she needs to work to help support her family especially since Mama got so sick. She is still struggling with how much her life has changed which is very understandable. I was sad when she said she would cry in silence before she would go to sleep. She has been through so much from losing her father and home, leaving her Abuelita and now having her Mama get sick. That must be so hard for her to not to be able to see her Mama in the hospital as often as she wants to. The part where she did her Mama's hair in the hospital was a beautiful moment. I am hoping that Esperanza's mom will get better soon, and Abuelita is able to make it to the US. I think that she will be able to feel the heartbeat of the earth again and feel that connection to her Papa. Once this happens I think she will be at peace with her life.

The part in this section where Mama and Esperanza are surprised by Alfonso and Miguel planting her father’s roses warmed my heart. What a special pair of men that would think so highly of these women that they would work so hard to bring along the roses, make sure they received water along the journey, and lovingly plant them in America. This action gives me hope that Esperanza will feel the heartbeat of the land again. Part of her father has made this journey with her and is now planted in this new land. Hopefully, the roses and Esperanza will grow in this new land together.

I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this journey is for Esperanza is right now. She continues to be dealt blow after blow. Everything is new for her and on top of it, she has to learn and be strong without the guidance of her mother after she becomes ill and goes into the hospital. Esperanza has shown maturity when trying to keep things together for her family, working to generate income, and visiting the hospital.

I like happy endings, so I hope with all hope that her Mama will get better and return to Esperanza. There just has to be a way that she will be able to get Abuelita to California—I am just not sure how she will make that happen. I am also wondering where the relationship with Miguel will go—now that they are no longer in Mexico and not the ranch owner's daughter and the housekeeper's son.

Esperanza has changed tremendously in my opinion. At first she had difficulties accepting that she had to play a part in this new life and that if she wanted anything she was going to have to earn it. I was saddened to see her mom go to the hospital. I hope she survives. I also hope that she figures out a way to get Abuelita there someday. It is strange how she is starting to see things through the eyes of the workers now that she is in the situation. She is able to understand the hard choice of joining the protestors or sticking with her job. This must have been hard back then. Nobody wants to see their fellow friends treated poorly and starve yet they don't want that for themselves either. She is finding out very quickly how difficult life can be. I am proud of who Esperanza has become and yet I do wish that she will once again be reunited with her grandmother and mother. I am glad that she has Alfonso's family to watch over her and support her in learning how to work.
I hope that the story ends well for all.

Esperanza has moved from complete dependence to independence. The valleys that she is experiencing are very difficult. Some of the things that the strikers did to the workers anger me. I do think that Esperanza will be able to get her whole family back together. I hope that the Tios do not come back into the story. I hope that there are not problems bringing Abuelita to California.

Esperanza has been forced to grow up so quickly. She was quite bratty at the beginning, obviously she had been quite privileged as shown with not knowing how to bathe herself or sweep. When her mother became ill, I actually thought she may die and keep hoping her mother gets better- we need a happy ending. With her mother's illness she was forced to get a job and make decisions we make as adults. I feel proud of how she has matured and is showing empathy for others.

I am hopeful her mother will have a full recovery but am worried about bringing Abuelita to California. I am not sure how at that time in history they will be able to contact her and safely bring her to California.

I believe Esperanza will once again hear the heartbeat of the land, will feel at peace with where she is at in life and will continue her father's legacy.

Esperanza is definitely learning a lot about hard work. Taking care of the babies with Isabel was a huge eye-opener to her, as was getting humiliated by Marta when she was out sweeping the porch. Luckily, she has Isabel and Miguel to teach her and be very kind and patient with her. Her mom getting sick really made her start to take their whole situation much more seriously, I like how the author started to add in a little humor about Esperanza's lack of knowledge, when she asked Miguel what potato eyes were. It's like she is starting to realize that she doesn't know everything, and is finally ok with asking/accepting help. Her hard work will hopefully pay off, and will maybe be reunited with her grandmother again, although I worry about what they uncles have done in the meantime. I think how much she changes and grows will help her to hear the heartbeat of the Earth again.

During this part of the book, we see Esperanza go through many changes. She takes on more of an adult role. I can’t imagine what she was going through. To loose her Papa, having her mother fall ill, and working to bring her Abuelita all while trying to pay the bills and save money. She had to learn how to swallow her pride and ask for help when it came to sweeping and learning to take care of the babies. I am hoping she will be able to get her whole family back together again. I think she will feel the heartbeat of the earth.

Esperanza is almost a new character in this part of the book compared to the beginning of the story. She is more willing to work and accepting of changes, especially difficult changes. She seems to be stronger, both physically and mentally. I think she will keep working hard and eventually get her grandmother and mother back. I think if she continues to have an open mind and accepting of change, she will feel her Papa where she is.

I think this is a changing point for Esperanza because she has to be a hard worker and help her family. I think that she will get her Abuelita to the US and her mom will feel better. I think as a person she will feel the heartbeat of the earth again but it's going to be different because she will have more of an adult point of view compared to her child like point of view. I think that she will really start believing in her self and see that she can handle this and this will be a better life for her than before.

Esperanza is definitely in a valley during this part of the story. I think when we experience these hardships we have an opportunity to grow from it and I think that is exactly what is happening with her. She is stepping up and realizing that she is going to need to take on more responsibilities. Just like in the story Echo, Munoz includes some time of symbolism that sticks with us throughout the book. This time it is the blanket that she is crocheting. I believe that the mountains and valleys of the blanket are telling us that she will feel the heartbeat of the Earth again.

The changes that Esperanza has gone through are amazing. She is becoming more understanding and a hard worker. She does such a selfless thing by giving up even more and going to work after the hardships she has already endured.

I certainly hope that she is able to succeed at getting everyone back together. But for some reason I just have a feeling this girl can't catch a break.

I believe she will feel the heartbeat of the world once again. But with all of the personal growth she has done I think the heartbeat has the potential to be bigger, better, and have more meaning to her as an aging person!

Esperanza has certainly changed the way she is doing things. She came to the States as a princess, but has learned very quickly that she is in a totally different situation now. She realizes that she is going to need to do whatever she can to get her grandma to the U.S. She is not afraid to work hard. I thought it was funny that she had never bathed herself before and didn't know how to sweep. It made me wonder when I learned those skills as a kid. I don't remember when I had to learn how to sweep. I did babysit as a kid, so that was more familiar to me, but I remember when I had to try to put a real diaper on when there weren't any disposable diapers available one time when I was babysitting. I had to call my mom and have her walk me through how to put it on correctly.

I hope her mother can hold on and get better. I can't imagine how Esperanza is feeling right now. Not only did she lose her father, but now she isn't sure her mother will ever get home again. Also, her grandma is in another country, and Esperanza isn't sure she will be able to get her grandma to her mother in time. There is so much in the air at this point for Esperanza. It is a good thing that they came with Miguel's family to the U.S. Otherwise, she might be all alone and trying to save all this money to get her Abuelita to be able to move to CA. I can't imagine what it would be like to be her age and have to be responsible for providing for her family.

I hope she will feel the heartbeat again, so that she can continue that connection to her father.

Mama getting sick, causes Esperanza to take responsibility of providing for the family. She gets made fun of because she’s never done hard labor, any labor, really. But she realizes if she wants her family back together she needs this work. The striking may result in losing her income and new shelter. With her mom and Abuelita away, Esperanza depends on her job and Miguel’s friendship. Mama continues to need hospital care. She works and works, then buys money orders with the extra money left over. Eventually, she hopes to save enough to bring Abuelita. I hope with all my might that she will get her family back together! She has finally learned what hard work, sacrifice and what a servant’s life feels like. She’s seeing the other side. Is being wealthy most important or is family most important? Maybe, working the land will help bring back the heartbeat of the land.

I can't imagine how Esperanza is feeling. She has lost everything near and dear to her. She has a whole new reality and it is one she never would have chosen. She has matured in some amazing ways. You hear the old adage that we don't get more than we can handle and Esperanza has a lot to handle and deal with at this time. She has really stepped up and is doing her best to make things work. I am sure that her mother being so sick so close the the death of her father is incredibly scary.
Most kids her age don't understand the valuing of saving money. She is learning fast what it is going to take to keep her family together and get her abuelita to California. She is having to deal with adult responsibilities that are so unfamiliar and foreign to her. And with the threat of the strike she has added worries. I also think that being unable to see her mother more such a long time is also detrimental to her and to her mother. If she can't see her daughter I think she would stress about her well being which, for myself, would likely hinder my progress. I hope she can beat the pneumonia.
As Esperanza develops a love of the land I do think she will be able to feel its heartbeat as she did on her own land.

Esperanza had to learn many things from taking care of babies, feeding them, changing and cleaning diapers, etc. She had to learn to be able to cook or make meals while doing other things. She had to learn how to sweep to keep the platform clean. Then she had to learn how to work in the fields to make money when her mother got sick from the dust storm. She had to deal with her mother being in the hospital and being without her; then she had to deal with the idea of not being able to see her for weeks when her mother got pneumonia. Esperanza has been able to take on responsibility to learn how to work for wages, help out with things at the camp, she even learned more about the striking, she also was willing to give poor people beans and the piñata with the caramels (she had bought this as a gift for her mother), etc.
I think that Esperanza has learned a lot and has become stronger, so I think that she will be able to get her mother out of the hospital and get Abuelita there with them in California. She has been saving her money and getting money orders with what she has been earning.
I think that part about feeling the earth's heartbeat was interesting at the beginning of the book. I think that she will be able to hear the earth's heartbeat because it is her connection to her father. She has learned to deal with the absence of the three strong adults in her life, so she is trying hard to keep them as part of her everyday situations. She is trying hard to figure out the correct way to get Abuelita to be with her without making it a harmful situation. She remembers things about her father. She is trying to overcome all of the setbacks with her mother's health.