Riches to Rags.

                                                        

   

                      Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan features the young and beautiful Esperanza living with her family in Mexico. They are quite wealthy and Esperanza lives the life of a princess, receiving everything she could need or want. But horrible tragedy strikes! They are thrown into poverty and forced to leave Mexico. Having lost everything, Esperanza begins a harsh, new life in America which teaches her care for herself and others.

History:
      Pam Munoz Ryan grew up in Bakersfield, California. As a child, she read dozens upon dozens of books that took her into many different worlds. As an adult she became a language teacher, but later stepped out to raise her children at home. A few years went by and she began pursuing a master degree and one of her professors began encouraging her to write. She began by co-authoring an adult novel with a friend then she went into writing children stories.
           Her children have long grown, she's an author full time, and lives with her husband in San Diego county, California.

My Thoughts:
For me, this book came along when my sister introduced it to me. She read it and said that some day I should. Eventually she bought me a copy of my own. At that point, I wasn't much of a reader, but I started reading just the same and I was pleasantly surprised at how interested I was in the story. Descriptions  of Mexico and the rising conflict pulled me in with ease. For me, it was a story of beating the odds despite difficulties and cruel injustice. Its a relatable tale  because on a down day you can look back on Esperanza and her family and how they persevered through tough times. Its a heartwarming, unique read.

Back to the classics 2

I LOVE this book!!!




                                                    
                  Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery features the skinny, freckled, red haired orphan Anne Shirley desperately longing to have a place to call home. Her dream seems to come true almost miraculously as she is sent to live with Matthew and Mirilla Cuthbert on Prince Edward Island. But she discovers, much to her dismay, that there was a terrible mistake. The Cuthberts were expecting a boy! What good was a bad tempered, talkative, overly imaginative little girl? While the debate goes on for her staying or going back to the dark, dismal orphanage Anne sees a whole new life on Prince Edward Island and finds a bosom friend. No matter what life throws her way she meets the challenge with imagination and spunk.

History:
    Lucy Maud Montgomery was born in Clifton, Canada on November 30, 1874. After the death of her mother ,when she was twenty one months old, she was sent to live with her maternal grandparents Alexander and Lucy Macneill. They raised strictly and with no compassion. Lucy Maud grew up quite lonely and developed imaginary friends and worlds. She credits these years with the sculpting of her creative mind.
During her teaching career she began publishing short stories in a few magazines and newspapers. Being very talented, she published over one hundred stories from 1897 to 1907.
       Inspired by her days on Prince Edward Island, she wrote Anne of Green Gables and it was published in 1908. It was a big hit with readers everywhere who were charmed by the antics of the little orphan girl. The entire series consists of: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, and Rilla of Ingleside. Besides series for Anne she also wrote other series: The Emily Trilogy, Pat of Silver Bush, and The Story Girl.
L.M. Montgomery died on April 24, 1942 in uncertain circumstances.

My Thoughts:
For this book, like with many others, I saw the film first. I don't know why I keep doing that! But when I picked up the book I found to be a true literary delight. Rarely have a found a character more relatable than Anne Shirley. Even though you may not be an orphan or go anywhere near Prince Edward Island you can understand Anne. What is so inspiring about her is that she has kinks and rough edges that she works through in surprising and intelligent ways. She rolls with the waves and learns valuable lessons that sculpt her into the beautiful strong woman that she became.
There was, despite her relatable nature, one thing that I didn't quite understand. She hated her red hair. I think that red hair is absolutely beautiful and, perhaps, because of my admiration for Anne Shirley I chose red hair for the heroine in my own novel.
           I highly recommend this book! It brings smiles and stimulates curiosity in a very gentle sort of way and you will find yourself quickly engrossed with the story.
Just for the record, none of these past few novels are THE favorite for me. My favorite novel series of all will be introduced when the time is just right. :)