Page 110 - Esperanza Rising_flip

What Story Do You Have to Tell?

Even though Pam Muñoz Ryan was born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley, the same place her

character Esperanza migrates to, it isn’t where her story begins. Pam’s life, like Esperanza’s, was shaped

by those who came before her. As members of a family — big or small — our stories start with the
history of our parents and grandparents and great-grandparents.

Esperanza traveled from Mexico to Southern California and Abuelita from Spain to Mexico. If you look

at a map you can track their journeys and see for yourself the distances they traveled. Did your family’s

story start in another country, state, or town? Talk to your parents or grandparents, learn where they (and
you) come from, and track your own family’s journey.

And while you’ve got your family talking, reminiscing, and remembering, ask them to tell you about

their experiences (maybe even take notes!). Then just as Pam Muñoz Ryan did, build on that information
— investigate your family, find old family photographs, hop on the web to dig up tidbits about the cities

or towns where family members have lived. And when you have various pieces to play with, begin to tell

your story.