Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Middle School ELA: Teaching Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan

As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the importance of incorporating diverse voices into our middle school ELA classrooms. One book that stands out as both a powerful story and a rich educational resource is Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan. This novel not only provides an engaging narrative but also opens the door to discussions about cultural identity, resilience, and the immigrant experience—making it an ideal choice for this celebration.

Why Esperanza Rising?

Esperanza Rising tells the story of a young girl, Esperanza Ortega, who faces drastic changes in her life after fleeing Mexico with her mother during the Great Depression. As they adapt to their new life as farmworkers in California, Esperanza’s journey of overcoming adversity and finding her inner strength resonates deeply with readers. The novel touches on themes of social justice, economic hardship, and the strength found in community and family—making it a meaningful addition to any middle school curriculum.

Engaging Students with Cross-Curricular Connections

One way to deepen students’ understanding and engagement with Esperanza Rising is through cross-curricular projects. I’ve created a Cross-Curriculum Project Choice Board that encourages students to explore connections between the novel and other subjects such as history, science, and art. 

For example, students can research the historical context of the Great Depression, create visual art inspired by the novel’s themes, or explore the geography of Esperanza’s journey from Mexico to California. This choice board not only allows students to engage with the text in diverse ways but also helps them make meaningful connections across disciplines.

Exploring Themes of Overcoming Adversity

Another key theme in Esperanza Rising is overcoming adversity, a concept that is both universal and deeply personal. To help students explore this theme in greater depth, I’ve developed a Museum Project that can be used with any novel that focuses on overcoming adversity. 

This project allows students to create a “museum exhibit” that showcases characters, events, and personal reflections related to the theme. Whether they’re working with Esperanza Rising or another novel, this project gives students the opportunity to think critically about how individuals and communities face and overcome challenges.

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Bringing Esperanza Rising to Life in Your Classroom

Teaching Esperanza Rising during Hispanic Heritage Month not only honors the contributions and experiences of Hispanic and Latino communities but also provides students with a deeper understanding of the complexities of immigration, identity, and resilience. By incorporating these projects into your classroom, you can create a rich, engaging learning experience that will resonate with your students long after they’ve finished the book.



As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s make it a priority to bring stories like Esperanza Rising into our classrooms, allowing our students to learn from and be inspired by the diverse voices that make up our world.

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash