meeting notes 2.11.2011 - Esperanza Rising

Today we are discussing the introduction of Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan (through page 38).  

Here are some of the things we discussed in today's meeting:

• First of all, we think the two uncles are big jerks.  They stormed in without any warning and started ordering the family around, threatening Esperanza's mom.  We also think they are greedy and selfish for invading just two days after their brother passed away.
• Esperanza is really mad at her uncles; they are taking over her dad's office and wearing his belt buckle.
• We think that Esperanza would be really sad if her mom does marry her uncle (which we hope she doesn't).  We are worried that the uncles will continue to be rude to Esperanza.  Maybe the uncles will be rude to Esperanza's mom.
• We think that if the uncle is going to run for governor that he is going to force Esperanza and her mom to act like one big happy family.
• Grandma (Abuelita) is stuck in the middle of everything.  She may end up as the hero, and saving them all.  She also may die.  We're not sure what's going to happen with her.
• We think that Esperanza's mom may try to trick the uncles into giving up the land.
• We think that Esperanza's uncles might let her build a shack and move into it, but Esperanza's mad because that's the house her dad built for them to live in.
• Maybe Miguel's family would adopt Esperanza, so she wouldn't have to live with her uncles.
• When Esperanza turns 15, maybe she'll marry Miguel!  Abuelita is possibly going to be the one to keep everyone together.
• Whenever Miguel talked to Esperanza (finally), he was only talking to her because of her dad, and in a way, it was sad that her dad died but we were glad that Miguel and Esperanza finally got to talk again.
• If Esperanza's mom does actually marry the uncles, they might try to poison her to get all of the riches.  The uncles may not just try kill Esperanza's mom, but her whole family to get the power and riches.
• We hope that Esperanza's mom and her will run away, and the uncle will do something bad to her mom and someone will see what he did.
• If Esperanza's mom does marry the uncle and he ends up killing her, then possibly the voters would be more sympathetic to the uncle and vote for him.

For the next meeting (March 4th), we will read 100 pages, and stop at the end of page 138.  We are all really liking this book!