Esperanza Rising Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
3.9 out of 5, (43 ratings on Open Library)
Esperanza Rising has 19 chapters · 262 pages
Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the…
Free, no sign-up. Customise to reword questions or add your reader’s name.
Inside the journal: 19 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name
Chapter by chapter Each question is about its own chapter.
In the opening chapter, what do you learn about Esperanza’s life on the ranch and her relationship with Papa?See all 19 questions ↓
About the book
Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.
Buy the book on Amazon ↗ (affiliate link)
Esperanza Rising questions by chapter
We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. One question per chapter, across all 19 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.
-
Chapter 1
In the opening chapter, what do you learn about Esperanza’s life on the ranch and her relationship with Papa?
-
Chapter 2
How does Esperanza’s relationship with Papa help you understand what is most important to her at the beginning of the story?
-
Chapter 3
After Papa dies, what choices do Mama and Esperanza have, and why are those choices so difficult?
-
Chapter 4
What do Tío Luis and Tío Marco show about power and greed? Use events from this part of the story in your answer.
-
Chapter 5
Why does Mama decide to leave Mexico secretly, and how does Esperanza react to the plan?
-
Chapter 6
On the train, how does Esperanza’s behavior toward other passengers show what she still needs to learn?
Example answer: I think Esperanza acts like she is still used to being rich and important. She does not always understand how hard life is for people who have less money. Her behavior shows that she needs to learn kindness and respect for everyone, not just people from her own class. This is one of the first steps in her changing as a character.
-
Chapter 7
What are Esperanza’s first impressions of California and the camp? How are they different from what she expected?
-
Chapter 8
How does Isabel help Esperanza begin to adjust to her new life? What does Esperanza learn from her?
-
Chapter 9
Choose one word that describes Esperanza when she first tries camp chores, such as sweeping or caring for babies. Why does that word fit?
-
Chapter 10
What does Marta believe about the workers’ situation, and why do some people agree or disagree with her?
-
Chapter 11
How does the dust storm change life for Mama and Esperanza? What details show that this event is serious?
-
Chapter 12
The crocheted blanket connects Esperanza to Abuelita. What might the blanket symbolize, or stand for, in the story?
Example answer: I think the blanket stands for family, memory, and hope. When Esperanza works on it, she can feel close to Abuelita even though they are far apart. The blanket also shows that life has ups and downs, like the stitches. To me, it reminds Esperanza to keep going even when things are hard.
-
Chapter 13
How does Esperanza change when she begins working to earn money? What responsibilities does she take on?
-
Chapter 14
What do the strike and the fear of losing jobs teach Esperanza about courage and risk?
-
Chapter 15
What happens during the immigration raid, and how does it affect the workers in the camp?
-
Chapter 16
When Esperanza feels angry about unfairness, how does she handle her feelings? What advice would you give her?
-
Chapter 17
Why is Miguel frustrated about his future in the United States? How does this connect to the theme of hope?
-
Chapter 18
What prediction did you make when Miguel left, and how did the story’s events confirm or change your thinking?
-
Chapter 19
By the end of the book, what does it mean for Esperanza to “rise”? How has she grown as a person?
Example answer: To me, Esperanza “rises” because she becomes stronger after many hard experiences. At first, she expects others to take care of her, but later she works, helps Mama, and cares about other people. She learns that her worth is not about money or fancy things. I think she grows into a braver and kinder person.
More ready-made journals
-
Small steps
-
Small steps : the year I got polio
-
Small Wonder
-
Snowball (The Puppy Place)
-
Something Upstairs
-
Sounder
How to use this Esperanza Rising reading journal
At home, as a discussion guide
After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.
In class, as a novel study
Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.
Homeschool
One booklet covers the whole book, 19 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Esperanza Rising. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.
Printing
The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.
Where the questions come from
Each question is about its own chapter. We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.