Recognition of Merit for a First Novel Award – Southern California Council on Literature for Children and Young PeopleĮsperanza Ortega possesses all the treasures a young girl could want: fancy dresses a beautiful home filled with servants in Aguascalientes, Mexico and the promise of one day rising to Mama’s position and presiding over all of Rancho de las Rosas. Parenting Magazine ‘Reading Magic’ Award winner

California Young Reader Medal winner Intermediate Category Judy Goddard AZ Young Adult Author of the Year Award With a pacing that moves along at a gallop, this is a skillful execution of a fascinating historical tale.’–Publishers Weekly, starred review, RIDING FREEDOMĪDDITIONAL AWARDS AND HONORS FOR ESPERANZA RISING: ‘Ryan writes a moving story in clear, poetic language that children will sink into, and the book offers excellent opportunities for discussion and curriculum support.’ –Booklist, ESPERANZA RISING Ryan fluidly juxtaposes world events with one family’s will to survive.’–Publishers Weekly, starred review, ESPERANZA RISING ‘Told in a lyrical, fairy tale-like style… Under the canopy of the lush rain forest, into the fearsome sea, and through the persistent Chilean rain, he listens and he follows…Ĭombining elements of magical realism with biography, poetry, literary fiction, and sensorial, transporting illustrations, Pam Munoz Ryan and Peter Sis take readers on a rare journey of the heart and imagination.

Even when the neighborhood children taunt him, and when his harsh, authoritarian father ridicules him, and when he doubts himself, Neftali knows he cannot ignore the call.

From the time he is a young boy, Neftali hears the call of a mysterious voice.

When Marian Sang by Pam Muñoz Ryan