Las Almendras (Almonds)

In this chapter, all the camp goes to the jamaica, the dance. Marta comes and tries to convince the people at the camp to strike. Isabelle is about to start school. Once she does, Esperanza will be in charge of the babies.

Melissa: I'm afraid that Esperanza will make a big mistake with the babies. It is not easy to take care of one baby, let alone twins! I know she is 13 and much older than Isabelle, but Isabelle has had much more practice. I hope everything will go alright.

Evelyn: she drew the picture of Esperanza's and Miguel's roses above.
Madelaine: she drew the picture of the roses dancing at the jamaica below.

Cebollas (Onions)

Evelyn - I was very surprised by the camps, especially by the outside bathrooms. That doesn't sound very private. Isabelle seems very nice. She does more work than me and she is two years younger.

Madelaine - WOW, Isabelle is eight, just like me! She knows how to change a diaper and do laundry. I can't do that. I've never learned how. And I don't want to!

Melissa - I can't imagine - twins in cloth diapers. I am so glad I had disposable diapers for my kids. Isabelle is very responsible for her age. I wonder when she gets to play. Her life is not easy. Neither is the life of the grown-ups. I would be sad to have to leave by little babies all day. I would do it, though, if I needed the money to feed them and to give them a place to live. I feel very lucky that I had the chance to stay home with my kids. Not everybody can make that choice. If Momma, Josephina, and Hortensia had stayed home with the babies, they might not have had enough money to feed all the children.

Los Melones (Cantalopes)

In this chapter when they had to cross the border into the USA.
Evelyn thought it must have been very scary to see all the people getting on the train to go back to Mexico. Esperanza just came a very long way and she would not have wanted to go back again, especially alone.
Madelaine: Marta seems mean, like a bully. I agree with Evelyn: the thought of having to go back to Mexico on the train to live with the uncle would have been scary.

Melissa: I was worried that Esperanza and her mother's papers wouldn't be in order and that they would not be allowed into the United States. I liked the way Esperanza's mother stood tall and proud in front of the immigration worker. Marta thinks she knows Esperanza, her family and how she thinks. She is jumping to conclusions about Esperanza. I was surprised to learn that they didn't let people from different countries live in the same camps. Marta said that they did this so that they wouldn't talk to each other and try to band together and strike.

The idea of unions is a bit confusing to kids. Hopefully the story makes it a bit clearer.

At my home in Barbados we had Papaya, Coconut and Guava and lime trees. Have you tried these fruit? Reading these chapters remind me of my home. And I miss these things. I can only imagine how sad Esperanza is. But, she may be happy later when she is settled in her new home. You know what that is like moving from Switzerland to the United States. Her uncles are Bullies. Do you know any bullies in your school? If you had to choose a reward what would you choose? I think my reward is about to come true. A dip or several dips in your hot tub. I know Esperanza and Miguel are characters in a book, but they seem like real people to me. I hope that Miguel gets to work with the trains.

Chapter 4: Las Guayabas (Guavas)

Evelyn:
This was an exciting chapter. They are running away and they may or may not like their new life. Evelyn was hoping that no one would find them find them when they were hiding in the wagon. When they were on the train I was thinking about how different our trains today are. There is no dining car today. There are still beggars today, though, and we should help them, too.

Madelaine:
It said that there was a pee smell on the train. Yuck! I read in a book that some people drink cow urine as medicine. This chapter was scary. I don't think I would like lying in the back of a wagon for days with something two inches from my nose. Would you like to have that? For four days! I understand why Esperanza wouldn't want the little girl to touch her doll. It would be very hard to get her clean again.

Melissa:
I, too, understand why Esperanza didn't want to share her doll. Her father just died and the doll was his last gift to her. I can't imagine being suddenly gifted two chickens! How would I feed them? I'm on a train. I have tortillas. That's it! I would feel bad that the chickens would be hungry. I understand, too, why Esperanza's mother is willing to talk to the lady. This lady knows hardship. She doesn't judge people. She gives, even to the beggars. Who better to tell your troubles to?

Chapter 3: Los Higos

It was a sad chapter. They had to leave their home, their friends, and Abuelita. I am glad that Tio Luis is getting tricked. Madelaine is afraid that Tio Luis will find out and try to get them back. Evelyn has read ahead, so she isn't going to make a prediction. Melissa hopes that they get away. I wonder how Esperanza is going to feel about being poor.

Chapter 2: Las Papayas

Evelyn:
This was a really sad and scary chapter. Esperanza's dad died and she is afraid her mom will marry her really mean uncle. I hope they will save the farm from her mean uncles.

Madelaine:
I think Esperanza is feeling sad and mad. She was crying. She was mad because her uncle was wearing her father's belt buckle. Miguel seems nice. I think he likes Esperanza. I think she him, too. Esperanza's uncle Luis just wants money.

Melissa:
I think Tio Luis is a creep. His brother just died a few days ago!!!! How could he propose to his sister-in-law? I don't think he loves Esperanza's mother. He wants the house, a pretty wife and to be governor. What a jerk!