Esperanza Rising

After some dense and somewhat heavy books Esperanza Rising, a well-received children's book about migrant workers, was a much quicker and lighter read that also tackled some difficult issues. The title character (based on the author's grandmother) is a young girl displaced from Mexico to California during the Depression, and having to adjust to the loss of wealth and family. This is a thoughtful, beautifully observed book for young readers that will help them understand some of the difficulties faced by immigrants.