Esperanza Rising Lesson Plan

What does Isabel’s quest to be May Queen at her school add to the story? Think about what it means to her and Esperanza as individuals as well as a deeper theme in the book.

Isabel’s quest adds an important dimension to the story because it allows Esperanza to step up as a protagonist by helping Isabel in her own, separate trial. Students should recognize how much racism plays into the contest, and therefore how important it is to one of the central themes of the story and of its historical backdrop. It would be a good opportunity to discuss how some racist attitudes have changed since the 1930s and how some haven’t. Students should also note how much Isabel’s treatment at school...