Why Is 'Esperanza Rising' Banned In Some Schools?

Books like ‘Esperanza Rising’ change how children think about issues and that is why many are challenged by groups who feel books about class and immigration are too political for children. However, this novel does provide children with a glimpse into a life far removed from their own. Through hard farm work, sudden poverty, and cultural confusion children can learn many lessons. Perhaps some have even been upset by the racist portrayal of the Mexican workers in the novel who are forced into camps separate from white workers. Perhaps some have even mistaken Esperanza’s realistic portrayal of her emotions for a bad example to others. But her emotions are what make her strength in the end all the more inspiring. Her emotions are what make her story so powerful and real. And this novel is just that – powerful and real.

I am troubled to read that Esperanza Rising has been banned in some schools. There are many negative situations about the conditions of migrant workers and the racial discrimination that they have suffered in this book. Some negative parents say that this book is too mature for fifth graders. This book is wonderful because it shows how very negative situations can help to bring about growth in a young person and that Esperanza learns to be strong and resilient throughout the book. I also think that the Spanish phrases in the book are very real for many children of immigrant parents today and should not be written out of school books in an effort to enforce English only policies.

I find many of the objections to this book are based in discomfort or in objections that don’t really have anything to do with the kind of pedagogy that would serve young readers of this age. The violent scene with Esperanza’s mother is very tough but that kind of assault did happen to many of the families of migrant workers. People object to the book’s portrayal of wealth disparity as if uncovering the unhealthy state of our economy for young people to consider is in some way to be “bad” for them. What is really laudable about ‘Esperanza Rising’ is that it is a celebration of dignity, community, and hope in the face of difficult and complex social themes and this is expressed in a way that is accessible to a middle-grade reader without ever having to resort to “sugary” history. Presently, many such stories about marginalized people are being censored from school curricula under the guise of “protecting” children from difficult realities.

Many individual books are challenged by parents and/or reviewed by review committees and retained. However, there are many districts that have removed certains books from curriculum and library shelves. The reasons for banning books seem to fall into several categories: 1) too sad; 2) anti-capitalist; 3) encourages class warfare; 4) divides students along racial lines. These are all misinterpretations of the book and its message. In the novel, class conflict is portrayed as it occurred historically. In addition, racial prejudice exists in the novel as an obstacle that the characters must overcome. However, this does not mean that racial prejudice is an invariable aspect of every racial group of people. The novel is sad but ultimately hopeful. This is expressed in the title of the book. Most criticism of the book is based on the misinterpretation that it does not portray America as a land of untroubled opportunity for all.