Esperanza Rising: 1924–Los Higos

by Pam Muñoz Ryan
When tragedy strikes, Esperanza's family has to leave their ranch in Mexico and move to a farmworkers' camp during the Great Depression.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: 1924–Los Higos, Las Guayabas–Las Cebollas, Las Almendras–Las Papas, Los Aguacates–Las Uvas

Here is a link to our lists for Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan.
15 words 17304 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. arbor
    a framework that supports climbing plants
    Leafy green vines draped the arbors and the grapes were ready to drop.
  2. scythe
    an edge tool for cutting grass
    The short blade was curved like a scythe, its fat wooden handle fitting snugly in her palm.
  3. serenade
    sing and play for somebody
    Tomorrow was her birthday and she knew that she would be serenaded at sunrise.
  4. congregate
    come together, usually for a purpose
    Papa and the men who lived on the ranch would congregate below her window, their rich, sweet voices singing Las Mananitas, the birthday song.
  5. capricious
    determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
    But Esperanza loved her more for her capricious ways than for her propriety.
  6. propriety
    correct behavior
    But Esperanza loved her more for her capricious ways than for her propriety.
  7. anguish
    extreme distress of body or mind
    Her smile faded, her chest tightened, and a heavy blanket of anguish smothered her smallest joy.
  8. condolence
    an expression of sympathy with another's grief
    In front of the adults, Esperanza modeled Mama’s refined manners, accepting Marisol’s condolences.
  9. wistfully
    in a pensively sad manner
    Her porcelain face looked wistfully at Esperanza with enormous eyes.
  10. indignation
    a feeling of righteous anger
    A look of indignation passed between Mama and Abuelita.
  11. pretentious
    creating an appearance of importance or distinction
    “But he could build another house, bigger and more pretentious anywhere on the property,” said Mama.
  12. devious
    characterized by insincerity or deceit
    “But be careful. He is a devious, dangerous man.”
  13. pervade
    spread or diffuse through
    Their overripe sweetness now pervaded the air with each breath of wind.
  14. salvage
    save from ruin, destruction, or harm
    Avoiding the smoldering piles, she picked through the black wood, hoping to find something to salvage.
  15. waif
    a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
    And those clothes, Ramona! They are not fitting for a woman of your stature, and Esperanza looks like a waif.
Created on Wed Jan 29 11:26:14 EST 2014 (updated Thu Jun 12 13:33:40 EDT 2025)

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